The 14 km Oirase Gorge (奥入瀬渓流) and Lake Towada (十和田湖) in Aomori Prefecture is known as one of Japan’s most scenic spots. No matter which season you visit Oirase Gorge, you will definitely be amazed by its beauty. But getting to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada using public transportation isn’t straightforward. If you are unsure about how to get to these picturesque destinations, read on!
vTo get to Oirase Gorge by public transportation, you have to get to either JR Aomori, JR Shin-Aomori, or JR Hachinohe Station first. Then, take the connecting JR Bus, which will carry you to either end of Oirase Gorge. You can also take the bus from Aomori to Lake Towada.
One thing to keep in mind is JR Bus Mizuumi-go (みずうみ号), which departs from Aomori City, only operates from spring to autumn due to heavy snow in winter.
If you want to take a peek at the snowy Oirase Gorge, you will need to board the Oirase-go (おいらせ号), departing from Hachinohe.
How to Get to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada
- How to Get From Aomori to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada Between Spring and Autumn
- How to Get From Aomori to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada in Winter
- Explore Oirase Gorge With a Guided Tour
How to Get From Aomori to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada Between Spring and Autumn
Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada can be reached by taking either the JR Bus Mizuumi-go (みずうみ号) or JR Bus Oirase-go (おいらせ号).
- The JR Bus Mizuumi-go (みずうみ号) departs from JR Aomori Station (青森駅) and JR Shin-Aomori Station (新青森駅) from spring to autumn.
- From JR Hachinohe Station(八戸駅), JR Bus Oirase-go (おいらせ号) will carry you all the way to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada.
Between spring and autumn, there are a couple of services available each day. Please find the timetable HERE.
For Mizuumi-go, please get off at Oirase Gorge Onsen Entrance (奥入瀬渓流温泉入口) or Oirase Gorge Museum (奥入瀬渓流館). For Oirase-go, please get off at Oirase Gorge Museum (奥入瀬渓流館).
In 2025, spring-to-autumn services run from April 1 to November 18.
Important: If you want to board the Oirase-go from JR Hachinohe Station, a reservation is required. Please refer to HERE to book.
How to Get to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada From JR Aomori Station (青森駅)
The JR bus bound for Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada departs from Aomori Station’s bus stop no. 11 at the east exit.
Please refer to the map on the right-hand side when you get there (‘ω’)ノ.
The one-way bus fare (payable upon disembarking) to Oirase Stream Museum (奥入瀬渓流館) is 2,650 yen.
How to Get to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada From JR Shin-Aomori Station (新青森駅)
The JR bus bound for Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada departs from Shin-Aomori Station’s bus stop no. 1 at the east exit.
Please refer to the map on the right-hand side when you get there (‘ω’)ノ.
The one-way bus fare (payable upon disembarking) to Oirase Stream Museum (奥入瀬渓流館) is 2,650 yen.
How to Get to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada From JR Hachinohe Station (八戸駅)
The JR bus bound for Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada departs from Hachinohe Station’s bus stop no. 1 at the west exit.
Please refer to the map on the right-hand side when you get there (‘ω’)ノ.
The one-way bus fare (payable upon disembarking) to Oirase Stream Museum (奥入瀬渓流館) is 2,270 yen.
JR Bus Bus Fare to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada
Please note that the bus fare listed below applies to individuals 13 years old and above. Elementary school students pay half the standard bus fare.
- From JR Aomori Station or JR Shin Aomori Station to Yakeyama: 2,650 yen
- From JR Hachinohe Station to Yakeyama: 2,270 yen
- From Yasumiya in Lake Towada: 1,330 yen
Tip: The 5-Day JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) can be used to board the JR bus services running serving Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada!
Discounted 2-Day Ticket – Not Available for 2025
From spring to autumn, the Aomori, Hachinohe, and Lake Towada Free ticket (青森･八戸･十和田湖フリーきっぷ) is on sale. The ticket is valid for two days that gives you unlimited rides on Mizuumi-go (みずうみ号) and Oirase-go (おいらせ号).
You can purchase the ticket for 5,800 yen from JR Aomori Station’s Bus Tickets Office, the shop – NewDays outside JR Hachinohe Station’s ticket gate, and Lake Towada Station at Yasumiya.
Free Shuttle Bus Services from Yakeyama to Lake Towada
From mid-October to mid-December, free shuttle bus services are running between Yasumiya and the West Coast area, as well as from Yakeyama to Yasumiya. In 2021, the services operated from the 21st of October to the 12th of December. As the information for the shuttle bus isn’t available on the English official website, please refer to the Japanese website HERE. You can use Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar to translate the webpage to English.
Please note that in 2021, it is essential to reserve your spot to board this free service.
How to Get From Aomori to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada in Winter
From JR Shin-Aomori Station (新青森駅) or JR Aomori Station (青森駅)
In winter, Mizuumi-go (みずうみ号) terminates at Sukayu Onsen. The JR Bus that operates between Aomori Station and Sukayu Onsen in winter is called Hakkoda-go (はっこうだ号).
Oirase-go (おいらせ号), which operates between Hachinohe and Lake Towada, has a different name in winter: Fuyu no Oirase-go (冬のおいらせ号). There are only two services available a day.
Refer to HERE for the timetable and note the operating date in the 3rd row of the table.
Important: Oirase-go in winter only operates during the Lake Towada Winter Story Festival period (十和田湖冬物語).
From JR Hachinohe Station (八戸駅)
The JR bus bound for Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada departs from Hachinohe Station’s bus stop no. 1 at the west exit.
Please refer to the map on the right-hand side when you get there (‘ω’)ノ.
The one-way bus fare (payable upon disembarking) to Oirase Stream Museum (奥入瀬渓流館) is 2,270 yen.
Explore Oirase Gorge With a Guided Tour
Alternatively, you can also book a tour, albeit this option is more expensive and you need to stick to the tour’s schedule.
- Oirase Gorge, Shirakami Sanchi Customizable Chartered Car Tour
- Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada Day Hike with Government-Licensed Guide
Your Guide to the Stunning Oirase Gorge
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, which will provide a clear picture of what to expect on the day. Tips are also included!
Hello, thank you for the informative article
I’ve plan to go to Oirase in February.
May I know when the timetable will be available and is it better to go from Aomori or Hachinohe?
Hi Aleen,
Apologies for the late reply. We were in Japan, traveling.
The timetable link has been updated. The JR Bus official website has consolidated the summer and the winter timetable in the transition period to winter. So, note the operating date at the top of the table for the services operating in winter (11/12～4/11).
Kind regards,
Lily