Oirase Mountain Stream

The Oirase Mountain Stream (奥入瀬渓流, Oirase keiryuu) is found in the prefecture of Aomori and possesses a colorful and generally pleasing ambience due to the virtually untouched forestry and foliage in that area, making it a popular destination for fall season. Oirase is not only preserved for its distinctive picturesque spots and its trees like the Japanese beech, white cedar, and maple trees, but also because of its various waterfalls seen along the road. The stream was created by rocks and sand from a volcanic eruption. The water flowing out from Lake Towada makes the Oirase stream possible. The Oirase Mountain Stream is also the only flow of water coming from Lake Towada. The stream is approximately 9 kilometers (more than 5 miles) one way and is normally walked in about 2 and a half hours. However, the more distinguished waterfalls that visitors might want to visit first are the Kumoi-no-taki Falls, or Chosi-otaki Falls among others, since some of the main waterfalls have a more characteristic water flow in either the forms they give or the amount of water that streams from them.