The Oirase Mountain Stream is the only outflow
of water for Lake Towada and is one of the best places to
see autumn colors.
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
Oirase Mountain Stream is part of the Towada-
Hachimantai National Park and has been designated
a
Natural Monument. Tourists and sightseers can go to
Oirase and enjoy the views while riding a bike, hiking
along the trail, riding a bus or car, though it can
become
dangerous for pedestrians who walk or bike on the
trails
that sometimes cross roads with the vehicles. In such
cases, during particular times of the year (mainly
during
tourist seasons) the road is closed off to vehicles for
safety, but alternate roads and options can be used
instead to adjust for other sightseers who want to see
the waterfalls and natural settings of the Oirase
streams. The streams start from Nenokuchi, a small
town in Lake Towada and ends at Yakeyama, a hot
spring resort. 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 hour. 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.
Please see below for tours that
include Oirase Stream:
