Oirase Gorge & Lake Towada Autumn Leaves 2026
Last updated: July 28, 2026. Typical viewing times and details below are compiled from official park, temple, city and tourism-association websites (linked at the end of this page). The dates of annual night light-ups are set each year — check the official site before you travel.
A roughly 14-kilometer mountain stream running from Lake Towada, where waterfalls, mossy rocks and rushing water glow beneath a canopy of red and gold.
Key Facts
| Typical peak | Mid to late October |
|---|---|
| Best months | October |
| Location | Towada, Aomori |
| Nearest station | Aomori Station (JR), then JR bus to the gorge |
| Admission | Free (gorge trail, roads and lakeshore) |
| Night light-up | No autumn night light-up |
| Official site | https://aomori-tourism.com/spot/detail_339.html |
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Highlights
- Waterfalls such as Choshi Otaki wreathed in autumn color
- The Ashura no Nagare rapids among mossy rocks
- Colored shoreline of Lake Towada at the gorge's source
Where to See the Autumn Leaves
Oirase Gorge Walking Trail (Free)
A riverside promenade following the stream past falls and rapids, best walked in stretches such as Ishigedo to Choshi Otaki.
Reached by JR bus from Aomori Station; get off at stops along the gorge such as Yakiyama or Ishigedo.
Lake Towada Shoreline (Nenokuchi/Yasumiya) (Free)
The lake at the head of the gorge, with colored hills mirrored in the water at the Nenokuchi and Yasumiya viewpoints.
Nenokuchi sits at the upstream end of the Oirase trail; served by the same JR bus line.
Getting There
About 2 hours from Aomori Station on the JR Bus 'Mizuumi-go' line to gorge stops such as Yakiyama; by car roughly 1.5 hours from Shin-Aomori Station. During the peak foliage week private-car traffic is restricted and shuttle buses run.
Crowd & Timing Tips
- During peak foliage week private cars are restricted and shuttle buses operate - plan around this
- The narrow gorge road congests badly on autumn weekends; start early
About Oirase Gorge & Lake Towada
The Oirase stream is designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument within Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
See more autumn-leaf spots: Tohoku Autumn Leaves 2026 · Japan Autumn Leaves Guide 2026