When is the best time to visit Lake Towada?

Autumn foliage typically peaks mid-to-late October. The lake is most accessible late spring through autumn, with some facilities closed in winter due to heavy snowfall.

Can I hike around Lake Towada?

Yes. Walking and cycling paths exist along portions of the lakeshore. The Oirase Stream trail is the premier hiking route, following the stream through pristine forest from the lake.

Are there accommodations at Lake Towada?

Yes. The area has hotels and ryokan, many offering hot spring baths. Yasumiya on the southern shore serves as the main hub with facilities and services.

What activities are available in winter at Lake Towada?

Winter activities include ice fishing on the lake and snow sports at nearby resorts, though some facilities close due to heavy snowfall.

How long do sightseeing boat tours take?

Boat tours typically last 50 minutes to 1 hour, departing from Yasumiya on the lake's southern shore and providing water-level views of the shoreline.

Lake Towada

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Lake Towada is a caldera lake on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures in northern Tohoku. The lake formed approximately 200,000 years ago through volcanic activity creating a collapsed crater, with subsequent eruptions shaping its double-caldera structure. It reaches a maximum depth of 327 meters, making it Japan's third-deepest lake, and covers approximately 61 square kilometers. The area became part of Towada-Hachimantai National Park in 1936. Tourism expanded during the 20th century as roads improved access to the remote mountain location.

The lake is one of Japan's most pristine caldera lakes, surrounded by dense beech and conifer forests. Deep blue waters result from the lake's clarity and depth. The Oirase Stream flows 14 kilometers from the lake's northeastern edge through virgin forest, featuring cascades, rapids, and moss-covered rocks. Seasonal changes include spring greenery, summer hiking weather, autumn foliage peaking mid-to-late October, and snow-covered winters. The Otome no Zo (Maiden Statue), a bronze sculpture by Kotaro Takamura from 1953, stands on the shore depicting two nude women facing each other.

Sightseeing boats operate along the shoreline, typically 50 minutes to 1 hour, departing from Yasumiya on the southern shore. Walking and cycling paths allow lakeshore access. The Oirase Stream trail follows the stream from the lake to Yakeyama through forest on a mostly flat path, popular during autumn. Winter offers ice fishing and snow sports at nearby resorts. Multiple observation points and rest houses provide viewpoints and facilities.

From Aomori City, take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station, then JR Bus Tohoku to Lake Towada, approximately 3 hours total. From Hachinohe, buses take about 2.5 hours to Towada-Minami Bus Terminal. Rental cars from Aomori, Hachinohe, or Akita provide flexibility for exploring. Limited public transportation within the area makes cars advantageous. Lake access is free. Sightseeing boats cost approximately 1,500 to 2,000 yen for adults. Parking fees may apply.

What other travelers are saying about Lake Towada

Really worth the trip. We’re glad we had a rental car to make quick pit stops along the meanders and parking points. Really a life saver and worth the trip. Just ensure you start with a full tank of petrol. Have enough water in hand. Some insect repellent might help if you choose to use it. And a good camera !

Sakthi Balan

Aug 28, 2025

Great visit. though Towada lake is famous for its depth in Japan, I don't know how beautiful its water and view is.you need to drive and get there before sunset.I also went there at night and shady darky lake was also great.you can also go fishing there although I don't know what you can get there.anyway,you have to get there!

Lovely spot, with really big waves on the day of my visit🌊🌊🌊

Thanks to my Japanese sister again for driving us from Hachinohe to Lake Towada each time my relatives and my colleagues visited Hachinohe. We were there April 2016, July 2017 and May 2019. Lake Towada is the biggest crater lake situated in Japan main island, Honshu. Along the way up to Lake Towada, we will pass the Oirase stream trail and Towada City. We will stopped at Oirase stream to take pictures of the waterfalls such as Kumoi waterfall, Choshi Otaki, Ashura Current, and Kujukushima, these are just a few of the many popular waterfalls and scenes in Oirase Gorge. Many visitors and photographers try their hand at taking the best picturesque shot. If you come in Autumn, you would see all the trees that lined the Oirase stream turn into golden colors which I miss so far. Will go there in Autumn, the next trip...

drove and parked at lake towada 十和田湖 and strolled slong the lakeside promenade on 31.10.2023 the colours of the forest hill on both sides of the lake really fabulous