As the bustling gateway to Lake Towada, Yasumiya (休屋) is the primary hub for travelers seeking a blend of cultural history and lakeside adventure. Located on the southwestern shore, this charming village serves as the region’s main transportation center and is home to the area’s most iconic landmarks, including the symbolic Statue of Maidens and the mystical Towada Shrine. Whether you are boarding a sightseeing cruise to explore the deep blue caldera, sampling local delicacies like apple pie, or using it as your base to hike the nearby Oirase Gorge, Yasumiya offers a perfect “slow travel” experience. Plus, the natural onsen helps you to rejuvenate!
Things to Do in Yasumiya
- The Onsen in the Yasumiya Area
- Towadako Backpackers (十和田湖バックパッカーズ)
- 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)
Click HEREfor the official English area 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 from Aomori to Lake Towada
- 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
The autumn foliage season at Lake Towada is usually from late October to early November. If you are after the cherry blossom, head to other spots in Aomori Prefecture (such as Towada City Government Office Street), as there are sadly not many cherry blossom trees around the gorgeous lake…
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 Onsen in the Yasumiya Area
Lake Towada is a caldera lake. Thus, it might not be hard to figure that there is natural hot spring somewhere around the lake. In Yasumiya, the best place to indulge in the onsen is Hotel Towadaso (ホテル十和田荘). The grand hotel’s hot spring facility consists of two vast bathing areas, each has an indoor and outdoor onsen tub.
On the way to its public bathing area underground, the two-story-tall indoor waterfall will draw you to it. Like the magnificent waterfall, its indoor bathing area is fancy and spacious. While smaller, the open-air onsen tubs are surrounded by nature!
- The admission fee for Hotel Towadaso’s hot spring facility for day visitors is charged 500 yen.
- You can rent a bath towel for 200 yen.
- The onsen facility’s opening hours are:
- 5:30 am to 9 am
- 3 pm to 12 am
Tip: As the gender assigned to each bathing area alternate daily, you can enjoy both areas if you visit Hotel Towadaso two days in a roll.
Note that the outdoor onsen tubs are closed in winter until April due to heavy snow.
Tip: If you are a vegan/vegetarian like us, don’t forget to inform Hotel Towadaso of your dietary requirements when you book (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
Towadako Backpackers (十和田湖バックパッカーズ)
Experience the perfect blend of budget-friendly comfort and authentic Japanese hospitality at Towadako Backpackers, a cozy lakeside inn in the heart of the Yasumiya district. Just a 5-minute walk from the shores of Lake Towada and the JR Bus terminal, this family-run hostel is a favorite among hikers, solo travelers, and nature enthusiasts exploring Towada-Hachimantai National Park.
For more information, refer to our article on Towadako Backpackers!
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.
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!
