Oirase Stream
In Summer Time
Table of Contents
About Oirase Stream
Oirase Stream (Oirase Gorge) is a well-known picturesque locale located in Tohoku region, Aomori prefecture.
It is one of the most beautiful river valleys in Japan.
Oirase Stream (Oirase Gorge) is 14 km long path surrounded by nature. From the huge waterfalls to the beautiful streams flowing, there are numerous breath-taking spots there. And it shore to Towada-ko (Lake Towada).
Towadako Lake 十和田湖
We rent a car from Hachinoe Station. It was about one hour drive to arrive to Oirase Stream (Oirase Gorge).
On our way to Oirase Stream, we met a little fox in the roads. It was a wild fox so we took pictures from the car. He wanted some food 😉
The stream flows along the floor of the Oirase Gorge, winding among trees which, while a lush green in spring and summer, turn brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange from late October through early November.
We visited there in the early Summer (In the 30th of May) and in Autumn (In the 31st of October). We want to write on both views, with amazing pictures about this two seasons.
Access:
The 14 km walking path along Oirase Gorge starts from Ne-no-Kuchi (子の口) along the Lake Towada lakeside and end at Yakeyama mountain (焼山), . It is a easy-to-walk hiking trail. And the path is made to be accessible to cars too.
There some options to go through this beautiful path:
Walking –
To walk from Ne-no-Kuchi to Yakeyama (Oirase Keiryū-kan), it takes about 4-5 hours.
Rental bicycle –
In the both side of Oirase Gorge , Ne-no-Kuchi area and in Yakeyama mountain area there are rental bicycle. In bicycle the 14 km become about 2 hours journey . Which is recommended for whom want to enjoy themselves without pushing themselves too far.
Bus –
There is two option of buses.
JR Bus – Which goes through all the Oirase Gorge from Ne-no-Kuchi until Yakeyama Station.
A shuttle bus – Which goes only half way.
In Yakeyama area there a Hotel which from there the bus departure every one hour. The last stop is Kumoi-no-Taki-Waterfall , from there it need to walk to Ne-no-Kuchi (about 1 hour and half). The shuttle bus is free for hotel`s guests.
Car –
Along the walking area are various temporary parking spaces, so it’s fine to move between spots by car too.
And that`s what we did. We drove all the path, and stopped the car in the sideway for taking pictures by spots and spots.
If you go from Aomori station, There is direct but to the Yakeyama bus station. So from there you can choose if you want to use Jr Bus, Shuttle bus, bicycle or walk.
Spots of Oirase Stream (Oirase Gorge)
The drive way was amazing!
We arrived in the last day of May, and all the area was with fresh green leaf’s & fresh air.
There are about 13 different waterfall there. We didn`t see all of them . And recommend to take a map with you, we didn`t have a good internet connection there .
Choshi Otaki Waterfall (銚子大滝)
The biggest view point in this area is the Chōshi-Ōtaki Waterfall, standing at a proud twenty meters wide and seven meters tall.
Kudan - no - Taki Waterfall (九段の滝)
The thin volume of water runs down over the surface of rock after long period of time and eroded the rock face into nine step levels thus get its name kudan (nine steps)
Samuzawa current (寒沢の流れ)
It is the current of a small river flowing into Oirase River at near Choshi waterfall.
As it flows on steep slope, it looks like a waterfall
Ashura current (阿修羅の流れ)
It is a rapid current of Oirase River.
“Ashura” is the fighting god in Buddhism.
This is the most popular spot in Oirase stream and the scenery is used as a typical place.
Samidare current (三乱の流れ)
It is a junction of Oirase River and the other river.
The rapid and slow currents are mixed.
Information:
Hours:
24 hours
Access:
Direct bus from Aomori Station
(Not goes on the Winter Season)
Address:
Okuse 60, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture 034-0301
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