Discover a realm where volcanic power meets serene sapphire waters at Lake Towada (Towadako in Japanese, 十和田湖), the largest caldera lake on Japan’s main island of Honshu. Straddling the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures, this “mystic lake” is the heart of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, famous for its crystal-clear depths and dramatic forested cliffs. Whether you are embarking on a sightseeing cruise from Yasumiya, seeking spiritual energy at the ancient Towada Shrine, or witnessing the legendary “fire foliage” reflecting on the water in autumn, Lake Towada offers a breathtaking escape into northern Japan’s wild interior. As the source of the world-renowned Oirase Gorge, it is an essential destination for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers looking to experience the raw, seasonal beauty of the Tohoku region.
Things to Do at Lake Towada
- How to Get to Lake Towada
- How Much Does it Cost to Get to Lake Towada from Aomori
- About Lake Towada
- The Three Unique Regions Around Lake Towada
- Festivals at Lake Towada
The Three Unique Regions Around Lake Towada
Apart from the northern part of Lake Towada, the other three sides of the lake are known for their own themes.
- Utarube Area (宇樽部)/Nenokuchi (子ノ口): water sports, camping, and a sense of history
- Lake Towada Pleasure Boat (十和田湖遊覧船)
- Mt.Ohanabe Observatory (御鼻部山展望台) & Mt.Towada (十和田山)
- Guriland RIB Tour & Kayak Tour
- Utarube Campground (宇樽部キャンプ場)
- Mt.Ogura Cliff (御倉山の断崖)
- Kankodai Observatory (瞰湖台)
- Yasumiya Area (休屋): food & accommodation
- West Coast Area (西湖畔): tonnes of lookout
Refer to HERE for the Lake Towada map.
Tip: Towadako Lake View Hotel (十和田湖レークビューホテル) can cater to a vegetarian diet.
How to Get to Lake Towada
For information on how to get to Lake Towada from Aomori Station between spring and autumn and JR Hachinohe Station throughout the year, please refer to our article on How to Get to the Picturesque Oirase Gorge (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
How Much Does it Cost to Get to Lake Towada from Aomori
- From Lake Towada to Aomori Station or Shin-Aomori Station: 3,480 yen
- From Lake Towada to JR Hachinohe Station: 3,050 yen
- From Lake to Wada to Yakeyama in Oirase Gorge: 1,330 yen
Tip: Get the 5-Day JR EAST PASS (Tohoku area) to save on transportation!
About Lake Towada
Approximately 200,000 years ago, the Towada volcano began erupting. As a result, a caldera of a depth of 327 meters and 14 kilometers wide was formed. From then on, rainwater began accumulating in the caldera, and gradually, a lake formed that reflected the sky and surrounding mountains.
Due to past crustal movement, the stratum surrounding the caldera has formed mountains and cliffs that surround the lake. This is why there are numerous scenic features and attractions around the lake that you will be pleasantly surprised by, especially at Lake Towada (*´ω｀).
The Fall Foliage Season at Lake Towada
Explore Lake Towada With a Guided Tour
If you prefer a guide to introduce you to the charms of Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge, how about joining one of the following tours?
The Attractions in Lake Towada’s Utarube Area (宇樽部)
The eastern part of Lake Towada is known as the Utarube Area, many knows about this part of Lake Towada because of the Nenokuchi (子ノ口) watergate that regulates the amount of water that flows to Oirase Gorge.
The area is a paradise for those seeking a more rugged and immersive escape, the Utarube Area on the eastern shores of Lake Towada is the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure. This quiet, forested peninsula is home to the popular Utarube Campground, where you can wake up to stunning views of the Hakkoda Mountains reflecting in the deep blue waters. It serves as a premier hub for water sports, including canoe tours and Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP).
For more information, refer to our article on Nenokuchi!
The Attractions in Lake Towada’s Yasumiya Area (休屋)
- Ebisu Daikoku Island (恵比寿大黒島)
- Statue of Maidens (乙女の像)
- Craft Shop Yuzuriha (暮らしのクラフトゆずりは)
- Towada-Jinja Shrine (十和田神社)
- Onsen At Yasumiya Area
Click HERE for the official English area map.
Ebisu Daikoku Island (恵比寿大黒島)
As soon as you reach the Yasumiya Area, you will be able to see Ebisu Daikoku Island on Lake Towada.
While the soil lacks nutrients on the lava-made island, it is amazing how pine trees and other plants can still grow beautifully on it!
This little island will look even more beautiful during autumn when the red foliage on the island reflects the surface of the lake (‘ω’)ノ.
Statue of Maidens (乙女の像)
It would be hard to convince others that you have been to Lake Towada if you don’t have a photo of this statue.
The statue was built in 1953 by Kotaro Takamura to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Lake Towada National Park. It has been said that the statue was built to represent his strong feelings toward his beloved wife, who was sick.
So nowadays, not only is the statue recognized as a symbol of Lake Towada, but it is also a popular spot for women to pray for luck in their love life (^_-)-☆.
Especially during the Lake Towada Winter Festival held every February, the statue also became a popular dating spot for couples nationwide!
Craft Shop Yuzuriha (暮らしのクラフトゆずりは)
If you are looking for first-class handicrafts from Aomori Prefecture and the Tohoku region, head to the craft shop Yuzuriha.
The shop itself is almost like another art gallery. Echoing the high-quality craftwork, the shop’s interior is also elegantly designed, reflecting the beauty of this part of Japan.
The main shop is not far from the JR bus stop, Towadako (十和田湖駅). The business hours are from 10 am to 5 pm from mid-April to mid-November.
And recently, a second shop was established in Oirase Gorge just opposite Hoshino Resort Oirase Gorge in Yakeyama.
The business hours of their Oirase Gorge shop are from 11 am to 5 pm from mid-April to mid-November. For information on how to get to Yakeyama, please refer to HERE.
Towada-Jinja Shrine (十和田神社)
When Lake Towada is mentioned, people often think of lookout decks or water sports, even though there are other sacred places like Towada-Jinja Shrine.
The wooden-colored shrine blends perfectly with the surrounding nature. The atmosphere at Towada-Jinja Shrine is also so mysterious and holy that even people who are not religious reported feeling refreshed and wanting to make a prayer or two.
Two Legends Of Towada-Jinja Shrine
Some historical scholars believe that the shrine was built by a general back in 807. As the condition of Lake Towada was too rough for his army to pass, he ordered the shrine to be built. Prayers were made upon completion of the shrine, and the army could then cross Lake Towada safely.
The other legend and myth that is probably more commonly known are that the shrine was built by monk Nansonobō (南祖坊, 南蔵坊 or 南草坊). He was given a pair of iron sandals and was then told to settle down at the place if the sandals were torn. This happened when he arrived at Lake Towada. At the time, a serpent monster with eight heads living in the lake appeared. Nansonobō successfully exterminated the monster, and from then onwards, the locals regarded him as the Guardian God of Lake Towada.
Fortune Telling at Towada-Jinja Shrine
If you have certain wishes that you want the God of Towada-Jinja Shrine to help you, you must walk another 160 meters to reach Nakanoko Observatory. Underneath that observatory is the fortune-telling spot in the past.
The ritual involves throwing the Oyori-gami (おより紙), a special paper on which the priest has offered his prayers to God, into Lake Towada. If the paper sinks into the bottom of Lake Towada, then God will make your wishes come true (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ. On the other hand, if God decides not to help you, even if you tie the paper to a heavy object, the paper will never sink!
As visitors are currently forbidden to use the ladder leading to the fortune-telling spot, what you can do is throw your Oyori-gami into Lake Towada at Gozen-ga-hama (御前ヶ浜) in front of the Statue of Maidens (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
The Onsen at Yasumiya Area
The Towada Onsen Town is located north of the Oirase Gorge. However, there is also a natural onsen in the Yasumiya Area! Whilst you probably won’t have the Lakeview from your room or the bathing area, we still recommend staying at one of the accommodations with onsen facilities (because onsen really does help you to relax and heal your tiredness from sightseeing!).
The vegan/vegetarian-friendly hotel we found in Yasumiya is Hotel Towadaso ホテル十和田荘. Their indoor bathing area is quite fancy, and their outdoor bathing area is completely surrounded by nature!
Tip: If you are a vegetarian like us, don’t forget to inform Hotel Towadaso of your dietary requirements when you book (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
The Attractions in Lake Towada’s West Coast Area (西湖畔)
Unless you are full of energy, we recommend accessing the West Coast Area via car to get to the observatories and lookout decks.
- Hakka Touge Observatory (発荷峠展望台)
- Towadako Oide Campsite (十和田湖生出キャンプ場)
- Shimei-Tei Observatory (紫明亭展望台)
- Kodakedai Lookout (甲岳台)
- Hakuuntei Observatory (白雲亭展望台)
- Takinosawa Observatory (滝ノ沢展望台)
Hakka Touge Observatory (発荷峠展望台)
Although located an hour and 40 minutes walk from Yasumiya, Hakka Touge Observatory provides you with the best view of Lake Towada!
Overlooking Lake Towada from an altitude of 631 meters means you can see Mt. Kushigamine in South Hakkoda.
However, as always, when a scenic spot is no longer a secret, it is bound to be crowded during the holidays.
If you are driving but can’t find a parking spot at the nearby car park, a larger car park is located 200 meters away at the entrance of the Jukai Line (樹海ライン). There are even toilet facilities available as well (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Towadako Oide Campsite (十和田湖生出キャンプ場)
Between the end of April and early November, apart from the Utarube Campground, you can also camp at the West Coast Area of Lake Towada at Towadako Oide Campsite (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
Click HERE for fees to plan ahead for your trip!
To reserve, please call +81-176-75-2368 between 8:30 am to 5 pm (^_-)-☆.
Other Lookouts and Observatories in Lake Towada’s West Coast Area
Shimei-Tei Observatory (紫明亭展望台) – Altitude 630 ｍ
Kodakedai Lookout (甲岳台) – Altitude 670 ｍ
Hakuuntei Observatory (白雲亭展望台)
Takinosawa Observatory (滝ノ沢展望台) – Altitude 698 ｍ
Festivals at Lake Towada
Lake Towada Winter Festival (十和田湖冬物語)
The Lake Towada Winter Festival is held every February. Apart from the usual illumination, light shows, and fireworks, we found the snowdome (as pictured) the most exciting!
Also, if you are a foodie like us, make sure you grab your favorite Japanese food from the stalls before heading off to see performances or stroll around the Yasumiya Area where the event is held (=ﾟωﾟ)
For the exact dates of the festival, please refer to the official website HERE.
Lake Towada Festival (十和田湖湖水まつり)
The Lake Towada Festival, also known as the Lake Towada Sky Lantern Festival, is typically held on one of the weekends in late July or early August. It is another main event at the lake.
Again, refer to the official website HERE for any planned festival dates!
The 2025 Lake Towada Festival took place on June 14 and 15, from 3 pm to 9 pm.
The Attractions in the City Center of Towada
The city of Towada isn’t just all about natural attractions. The city center is actually surrounded by an artistic atmosphere! Numerous statues complement the landmark of Towada, the Towada Art Centre. Not only are the artworks in the city all masterpieces by internationally recognised artists, but renowned architects like Andō Tadao have also designed a few buildings.
For more information, please refer to our article on Towada City (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
Your Guide to the Stunning Oirase Gorge
Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge are two destinations in Aomori Prefecture that complement each other perfectly. When planning your trip, remember to allocate at least half a day to visit the stunning gorge. The 14-km valley 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 ethereal beauty (*´ω｀).
For more information, refer to our article about Oirase Gorge!
