Reaching the pristine waters of Oirase Gorge (奥入瀬渓流) and Lake Towada (十和田湖) is remarkably easy using Japan’s efficient public transport network. The journey is anchored by the JR Bus Mizuumi-go and Oirase-go, which provide direct access from major Shinkansen hubs like Shin-Aomori and Hachinohe Station. For JR Pass holders, these scenic bus routes are a major highlight, offering a “hop-on, hop-off” style experience at key trailheads like Yakeyama and Ishigedo. Whether you are timing your arrival to catch a Lake Towada sightseeing cruise or navigating the seasonal winter shuttle schedules, our guide provides everything you need to know about fares, bus stops, and luggage lockers for a seamless car-free adventure.
To get to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada 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
- JR Bus Bus Fare to Hakkoda Ropeway from Aomori Station, Lake Towada, and Oirase Gorge
- JR Bus Bus Fare to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada from Aomori and Hachinohe Station
- The Limited-Time Shuttle Bus Service During the Autumn Foliage Season
- Free Shuttle Bus Services from Yakeyama to Roadside Station Oirase Roman Park (道の駅 奥入瀬ろまんパーク)
- 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 JR Bus Mizuumi-go and Oirase-go’s timetable and bus fare table 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.
Tip: During Oirase Gorge’s autumn foliage season (usually between mid-October and early November), extra services are deployed. There is no need to worry about not being able to board the bus if you arrive on time. When we arrived at the bus stop at Aomori Station in late October, around 7:50 am, two buses were already picking up passengers. Although there were over 30 people in front of us, we were able to board Mizuumi-go within 10 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Tip: If you take the JR Bus Oirase-go from Lake Towada/Oirase Gorge to Hachinohe Station, it will make a brief stop at Roadside Station Oirase Roman Park (道の駅 奥入瀬ろまんパーク). The roadside station is filled with fresh local produce and specialties. And the products are cheap! So, get off the bus and check out the shop at the roadside station, even if you don’t need a toilet break!
JR Bus Bus Fare to Hakkoda Ropeway from Aomori Station, Lake Towada, and Oirase Gorge
The one-way bus fare payable upon disembarking to Hakkoda Ropeway is as per the following. 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 Hakkoda Ropeway: 1,290 yen
- From Lake Towada to Hakkoda Ropeway: 2,650 yen
- From Oirase Stream Museum in Oirase Gorge to Hakkoda Ropeway: 1,680 yen
JR Bus Bus Fare to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada from Aomori and Hachinohe Station
The one-way bus fare payable upon disembarking to Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada is as per the following.
- From JR Aomori Station or JR Shin Aomori Station to Oirase Stream Museum (奥入瀬渓流館): 2,650 yen
- From JR Hachinohe Station to Oirase Stream Museum (奥入瀬渓流館): 2,270 yen
- Between Yasumiya in Lake Towada and Oirase Stream Museum: 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.
The Limited-Time Shuttle Bus Service During the Autumn Foliage Season
Each year, private vehicle traffic restrictions are in place for about a week, from late October to the beginning of November.
Private vehicles, including rented cars, are prohibited from entering Oirase Gorge. So, temporary shuttle bus services are in place to take visitors to various parts of Oirase Gorge.
However, you can’t pay for individual trips. Instead, you need to purchase the one-day bus pass. In 2025, the one-day Oirase Gorge shuttle bus pass cost 1,500 yen. The one-day bus pass was worth it if you made a round-trip between Yakeyama and Yasumiya.
For more information about the shuttle bus, refer to the Oirase Stream Eco-Tourism Project’s Website.
The paper timetable for the bus is available at the terminal stops in Yakeyama and Yasumiya.
A bus timetable and the departure time of the last bus of the day for each bus stop are also attached to each bus stop stand, as shown in the photo. The green banner indicates the shuttle bus stop.
Free Shuttle Bus Services from Yakeyama to Roadside Station Oirase Roman Park (道の駅 奥入瀬ろまんパーク)
From mid-December 2025 to mid-March in 2026, free shuttle bus services are running between Yasumiya and Roadside Station Oirase Roman Park. For more information, please refer to the official website HERE.
Please note that you need a reservation 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, Hakkoda-go (はっこうだ号) replaced the Mizuumi-go (みずうみ号). It only operates between Aomori Station and Sukayu Onsen.
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.
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