ITINERARY
Experience Grand Landscapes and Diverse Hot Spring Cultures Shaped by Volcanoes
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Towada-Hachimantai National Park consists of two zones: the Towada-Hakkoda area, which includes the Hakkoda Mountains, Lake Towada, and Oirase Gorge, and the Hachimantai area, encompassing Mount Hachimantai, Mount Iwate, and Mount Akita-Komagatake. Both zones are home to some of Japan's best beech forests, sustaining a rich variety of plant and animal life. At the same time, the volcanic terrain has given rise to a variety of hot spring baths and resorts, allowing visitors to experience Japan's long-standing hot spring culture firsthand.
Itinerary Highlights
- Walk through one of Japan's loveliest beech forests along the Oirase Stream and learn about its formation and ecosystem.
- Experience the nature and culture of Lake Towada through canoeing and local cuisine.
- Admire the seasonal phenomenon known as the "Hachimantai Dragon Eye," which is beautiful like a gem, at a volcanic crater lake in Hachimantai.
Walk through one of Japan's finest beech forests in Oirase Gorge, formed by volcanic activity around Lake Towada
In the morning, travel by car to the Oirase Field Museum Gate, the starting point for exploring Oirase Stream. Learn about the formation and ecosystem of the stream, enjoy lunch, and then join an Oirase nature tour. You'll walk through one of Japan's best beech forests in Oirase Gorge, which was created by volcanic activity around Lake Towada.
After the tour, walk to your accommodation, Hoshino Resorts' Oirase Keiryu Hotel, and check in. Staying at this hotel, renowned for its exceptional location within the gorge, allows for deeper immersion in the surrounding natural environment.
Experience the natural environment of Lake Towada through canoeing and himemasu salmon cuisine
After checking out of the hotel, travel by car to Utarube Campground at Lake Towada. Enjoy a canoeing experience on the lake, paddling across the water while taking in a 360-degree panorama of pristine nature.
For lunch, savor dishes made with himemasu salmon, a delicacy nurtured by the waters of Lake Towada. In the afternoon, visit Towada-jinja Shrine to learn about the region's culture of Towada beliefs.
Later, travel to your accommodation at Goshogake Onsen. Famous for its geothermal ondol underfloor heating system, Goshogake Onsen is home to waters that warm the body from the core and boost metabolism.
Marvel at the seasonal phenomenon known as "Hachimantai Dragon Eye" at a volcanic crater lake in Hachimantai
Begin your morning with a walk along the Goshogake Nature Research Path, where you can see ongoing volcanic phenomena such as mud volcanoes and fumarolic gas. Then travel by car to the Hachimantai Visitor Center. After lunch, continue on to the summit of Mount Hachimantai.
There, admire the seasonal "Dragon Eye" phenomenon at Kagami-numa Lake, a spectacular sight created by the contrast between lingering snow and deep blue water. Explore the jewel-like Dragon Eye and the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding crater lakes.