Begin your journey through Aomori’s wild interior at Yakeyama (焼山), the scenic gateway to the world-renowned Oirase Gorge and the majestic Lake Towada. Located at the downstream entrance to the 14-kilometre Oirase Stream, this tranquil village is the primary hub for hikers and nature lovers seeking to explore one of Japan’s most beautiful river valleys. Known for its relaxing Oirase Keiryu Onsen and historic hiba-wood ryokans, Yakeyama offers the perfect starting point for chasing waterfalls, photographing the “fire foliage” of autumn, or discovering the lush, moss-covered landscapes of Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Whether you are stopping at the Oirase Stream Museum or boarding the JR Bus for a scenic mountain tour, Yakeyama is your essential base for an unforgettable Aomori adventure.
Depending on how you want to organize your itinerary, you may want to stay at one of the hotels/ryokans at the Oirase Keiryu Onsen.
The onsen town was previously known as Lake Towada Onsen Town, but the name got changed in mid-2020 so that people won’t get confused or get mixed up with the location of the town, as Lake Towada is actually 14 km away (´▽｀*).
The Attractions in Yakeyama
- Nonohana Yakeyamaso (野の花焼山荘)
- Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort (奥入瀬渓流温泉スキー場)
- Hōryō Ginkgo Tree (法量のイチョウ)
- Former Kasaishi Family Residence (旧笠石家住宅)
- Lake Towada Folk Museum (十和田湖民俗資料館)
Nonohana Yakeyamaso (野の花焼山荘)
You have probably been to a traditional Japanese ryokan, but have you ever been to one with tatami mats throughout the hotel? We love the natural straw smell of tatami mats, and the feeling of walking on (or even lying on) one is fabulous!
We highly recommend staying Nonohana Yakeyamaso if you plan to spend a night in Yakeyama/Oirase Keiryu Onsen. While the hot spring facility can be more spacious, you will have enough space to enjoy its four natural onsen pools. Plus, the English signage at the ryokan makes it friendly to foreign visitors.
Just note that Nonohana Yakeyamaso don’t cater to a vegetarian diet. But you can still stay at the hotel with the meals excluded options (^_-)-☆.
Nonohana Yakeyamaso’s Onsen Facility
- Just like Tsuta Onsen Ryokan, the onsen facility at Nonohana Yakeyamaso is shared between male and female guests. At 3 pm and 8 pm, the two open-air bathing areas alternate the designated gender. Please check with the reception for the timeslots to avoid any potentally embarrassing moments… (´▽｀*).
- If you are a day visitor, you can bathe at Nonohana Yakeyamaso between 1:30 pm and 7 pm.
- As they might be cleaning the onsen pools, please call +81-176-74-2345 to confirm whether you can bathe on the day.
- The cost is:
- 600 yen for adults
- 300 yen for children
Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort (奥入瀬渓流温泉スキー場)
When you visit Yakeyama in winter, you can ski at Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort. The staff here are friendly and helpful. Prices are competitive as well. As not many people would come all the way to the small ski resort, you will have enough space to practice if you are a beginner.
For those staying at Oirase Keiryu Hotel, check with reception to see if the free shuttle service is running. You might even get a discount if you are a hotel guest!
If you plan to visit Yakeyama during the warmer months, you will be able to stroll around the resort and enjoy walking among the small, blooming flowers along the roadsides!
How Much Does It Cost to Ski at Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort?
Whether you want to ski or snowboard, the equipment rental fee is 3,500 yen. Using the lift to get to the top of the course will cost you around:
- 260 yen one-way for adults
- 210 yen for elementary school students and the elderly, 60 years old and above
If you plan to use the lifts more than 6 times, you might want to get a 4-hour ticket. The cost is:
- 1,570 yen for adults
- 1,150 yen for elementary school students and people who are 60 years old and above
A 1-day ticket will cost you around:
- 2,720 yen for adults
- 2,200 yen for elementary school students and the elderly, 60 years old
So it is time to do some forecasting of your energy level and maybe grab a calculator to see which lift tickets you want to purchase (´▽｀*).
Winter nights are long as the resorts are open from 9 am to 10 pm. If you plan to visit at night, the night lift ticket saves you more money!
The ticket will cost you:
- 1,570 yen for adults
- 830 yen for elementary school students and the elderly, 60 years old and above
Hōryō Ginkgo Tree (法量のイチョウ)
If you like Ginkgo trees, the 4th biggest Ginkgo tree is around a 30 to 40-minute walk from Yakeyama. This tree is estimated to be around 1,100 years old!
When you venture out there, you will definitely be amazed by the scale of this tree. The 30-meter-tall tree has a trunk with a circumference of 14.5 meters. In 1926, it became a National Natural Monument, making it one of only five Ginkgo trees in Japan to receive this designation.
The tree is said to have been planted by Nansonobō (南祖坊), the main character of the legend of Lake Towada. According to legend, he was born at Zenshō Temple (善正寺), which once stood here. For more information about the legend, please read about Lake Towada.
The small worship hall in front of the tree is for mothers to pray for ample breastmilk.
Why would women pray for breastmilk to a tree? It is all about its aerial roots. The aerial roots growing from its thick trunk at a height of 7 meters resemble the idea of female breasts. So the tree used to be called “Chichi Morai no Ki (乳もらいの木), which means a tree you can get milk from.
When to See the Fall Color at Hōryō Ginkgo Tree
If you are keen to see the tree turn bright yellow between early and mid-November, remember to pray really hard before your trip to Oirase Gorge.
The tree is known to be the most temperamental Ginkgo in Japan. You rarely get to see Hōryō Ginkgo Tree in autumn color. It only happened 6 times in the last 20 to 30 years: in 2025, 2022, 2021, 2018, 2009, and 1997.
In 2025, Horyo Ginkgo Tree turned yellow on November 14 and lasted for a few days.
The problem with the tree is its location. If it snowed while the leaves were still green, they would start falling before they turned yellow. And even if the color managed to turn yellow, the leaves might just fall in a matter of a day!
Former Kasaishi Family Residence (旧笠石家住宅)
On the other side of the Oirase River, there is a thatched-roof house built in the second half of the 18th century. It is an attraction for you to peek into the farmer’s lifestyle in the late Edo period.
Kasaishi family had been in the forestry industry for generations. The house was built to be their residence and home office.
Around one-third of the house is a stable. Other parts of the house include the kitchen, bedrooms, workshop, living room, and storage.
Tools used at the time are on display so you can imagine how people lived two centuries ago.
The house became a National Important Cultural Property in 1973.
Lake Towada Folk Museum (十和田湖民俗資料館)
Just next to the Former Kasaishi Family Residence, the Lake Towada Folk Museum was built to complement the displays there. Due to rapid changes in the living environment and lifestyle, the museum was founded to preserve folklore and folk materials.
If you would like, you are welcome to hold many of the museum’s living materials in your hands. Sometimes touching the equipment/tools can give you a completely different feeling compared to just observing.
The Opening Hours and Access Information of the Former Kasaishi Family Residence and Lake Towada Folk Museum
- The facilities are open from 9 am to 4:30 pm from April to October
- Between November and March, it closes early at 4 pm.
- Both facilities are closed on Tuesdays and from the 29th of December to the 3rd of January.
- From Yakeyama, it will be easier if you rent a bike from Oirase Stream Museum (奥入瀬渓流館（奥入瀬フィールドミュージアム)
- If you are coming by bus from the city center of Towada, please get off at Katakaizawa (片貝沢). From there, it is a 20-minute walk.
Your Guide to the Stunning Oirase Gorge
After arriving at Yakeyama, your scenic journey shouldn’t just stop there! Oirase Gorge is a must-visit in Aomori, especially if you plan to visit Tsutanana Numa Pond. So what to see in Oirase Gorge? Instead of just wandering around after getting off the bus, you can prepare to fully enjoy your visit with some knowledge about the stunning 14-km gorge.
Refer to our Oirase Gorge article for a clear picture of what to expect on the day. Tips are also included!
