1
Oirase Stream

Enjoy the colorful autumn leaves that enhance the beauty of the mountain stream

The mountain stream flows out from Nenokuchi on the eastern shore of Lake Towada and extends about 14 km to the Yakeyama area in the northeast. The scenery of the mountain stream, with its thick growth of trees, more than a dozen waterfalls said to have been created by earth and sand from volcanic eruptions, strange rocks, and moss, is so fantastic that it will leave you speechless.
The leaves usually begin to change color in early October, but the best season is in late October. Starting with the sweet-smelling Katsura trees, beech trees, maple trees, and mountain maples turn red and yellow as they cover the mountain streams.
Among the highlights are "Ashura-no-ryu," the steepest stream in the Oirase Keiryu, "Choshi Otaki," the largest waterfall, and "Kujukushima," where moss-covered rocks tumble down. It takes about 5 hours to walk the entire 14-km route, so it is recommended that you take a stroll according to your physical strength.

Beginning of the changing of colors: Usually in early October.
Best time to see the leaves: Late October
Kinds of foliage】Katsura, beech, maple, mountain maple, etc.

Oirase Mountain Stream

• Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
• From JR Hachinohe Station, take the JR Oirase bus (Oirase-go). 90 minutes from the Yakeyama stop.
• 0176-24-3006（Towada Oirase Tourism Organization)

2
Lake Towada

A perfect spot for viewing the autumn leaves against the blue of Lake Towada

The world's largest double caldera lake was created by volcanic activity about 2,000 years ago. From mid-October, beech trees, katsura (Japanese Judas trees), and maple trees begin to change color, creating a beautiful contrast between the bright blue surface of the lake and the red, yellow, and green of the trees. The best viewpoint among the many observatories is the Hakka Toge Observatory, located at an elevation of 631 meters on the southern shore of the lake. From here, you can see the beautiful Nakayama Peninsula, which is an inlet jutting into the lake, and Mt.
A scenic boat trip is also a popular way to view the brocade-colored mountains and sheer cliffs from the lake. Both the parking lot and the sightseeing boats start to get crowded around 11:00 a.m., so be sure to get there early. After viewing the autumn leaves, you can also enjoy Lake Towada's specialty, hime-masu trout.

Beginning of changing of colors】Mid-October of every year
Best time to view the leaves: Usually from mid-October to late October.
Kinds of autumn leaves】Beech, Japanese Judas tree, maple, etc.

Lake Towada

• Lake Towada, Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
• 150 min. on the JR Oirase bus from JR Hachinohe Stn. to the Towadako stop.
• 0176-75-1531（Towada Kanko Koryu Plat)
• Free of charge
• For more information about sightseeing boats, check the website.

3
Tsuta Swamp

Be impressed by the autumn leaves that turn bright red in the morning glow

Tsuta Hot Spring is the gateway to Hakkoda. Behind Tsuta Onsen is Tsuta's Seven Swamps, a group of lakes and marshes created by the volcanic eruption of Akakura-dake, one of the peaks of the Hakkouda mountain range. The area is thickly covered with primeval beech forests and is designated as a bird sanctuary for a variety of wild birds, leaving the area untouched by nature. Of the seven swamps, Tsuta-swamp, Kagami-numa, Tsukinuma, Hyotan-numa, Suganuma, Naganuma, and Akanuma, Tsuta-swamp is the largest and most popular. The surface of the lake reflecting the primeval beech forest is as beautiful as a mirror and attracts many tourists during the autumn foliage season. Especially in the early morning, when the beech trees and the surface of the lake turn bright red in the morning glow, it is breathtakingly beautiful.
The 6 swamps (excluding Akanuma, which is located a short distance away) have a 2.8-km "Swamp Tour Path," so it is recommended to enjoy hiking around the swamps.

*Admission to Tsuta-swamp Observation Deck early in the morning from 5:00 to 7:30 during the foliage season requires an advance reservation and an anti-congestion and environmental preservation cooperation fee. Admission will be closed when the admission quota runs out. For more information, please visit https://save-tsutanuma.com/Please check at. The 2025 period is from October 23 (Thu) to November 3 (Mon).

Beginning of color change] Usually in late September.
Best time to see the leaves: Usually from mid-October to late October.
Kind of foliage: Beech

Tsuta Swamp

• Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 70 min. by car from JR Hachinohe Stn.
• From JR Shin-Aomori Station, take the JR Mizu-Umi-go bus (about 120 min.); about a 14-minute walk from Tsuta Hot Spring stop.
• 0176-24-3006（Towada Oirase Tourism Organization)
• No parking (use the Tsuta hot spring parking lot. Guests/customers using Property have priority)

4
Hakkoda mountain range (Hakkoda ropeway)

Walking on a carpet of red and yellow leaves in the air

Located south of Aomori City, Hakkoda is the collective name for a group of 18 volcanoes, including the main peak, Hakkoda-dake, which is one of Japan's 100 most famous mountains and a popular tourist spot where visitors can enjoy nature in all seasons. While trekking to the summit is a great way to enjoy nature and the autumn leaves, we recommend taking the Hakkoda Ropeway, which offers a 360-degree view of the world of autumn leaves, and a walk in the air. The 10-minute one-way trip to the summit park station at Tamoyachidake is a spectacular view that looks like a carpet of reds and yellows below.
From the summit station, you can see not only the Hakkoda Mountains, but also Aomori City, Mutsu Bay, the Tsugaru Peninsula, and as far away as Hokkaido, and if you are lucky, the snow will begin to fall in late November, so you can enjoy the fantastic combination of autumn leaves and snow.

The beginning of the fall colors: Usually around early October near the Sanroku Station, usually around late September near the summit station.
Usually from early October to late October.
Kinds of autumn leaves】Beech, maple, Nanakamado (Japanese white ash), Oak

Hakkoda mountain range (Hakkoda ropeway)

• 1-12 Arakawa Samizusawa, Aomori-shi, Aomori MAP
• March - early November 9:00-16:20
  Mid-November to February 9:00-15:40
  Runs every 15 to 20 minutes.
• Operation may be suspended in case of strong winds or stormy weather.
• Round trip】Junior high school students and older: 2,200 yen, elementary school students: 700 yen
• 017-738-0343

5
Hell Swamp

Fantastic competition between the steamy swamp and the autumn leaves

The swamp is located at the western foot of the main peak of the Hakkoda mountain range, Mt. The swamp was formed when hot spring water gushing from nearby volcanoes accumulated in the ruins of Hakkoda's exploding crater. The swamp itself is also gushing hot water of 70-90°C. The view from Jigoku-numa is spectacular, especially from the top. The view from Jigoku-numa is spectacular, especially during the autumn foliage season when the beech trees, oaks, maples, and downy birch turn brilliant red and yellow. The steamy, steamy swamp, tinged red by the autumn leaves, is a fantastic sight. Many tourists come to see this unusual scenery, which is not easily seen.
Nearby is an outdoor hot spring Property called "Fukashiyu (Manjufukashi)," where visitors sit on benches filled with hot spring steam, and "Sukayu Onsen," a popular secluded hot spring in Hakkouda known as a "spiritual spring above the clouds," so why not visit there after viewing the autumn leaves?

Start of color change] Usually in early October.
Usually from mid-October to late October.
Kinds of autumn leaves】Beech, oak, maple, downy birch, etc.

Jigoku-numa Swamp

• In the Hakkouda Mountains, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 50 min. by car from JR Shin-Aomori Stn.
• From JR Shin-Aomori Station, take the JR "Mizu-Umi-go" bus (73 min.), get off at "Sangayu Hot Spring" and walk 5 min.
• 017-738-6400（Asagayu Hot Spring)
• None

6
Jogakura Bridge

The 360-degree panoramic view of the autumn leaves is impressive!

The bridge connects the Tsugaru and Nanbu regions of Aomori Prefecture, and offers a spectacular view of the Jogakura Stream, one of the most scenic spots in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park. With a total length of 360 m and arch span of 225 m, it is the longest upper arch bridge in Japan and rises 120 m above the valley floor, offering a panoramic view of the carpet of autumn leaves and the rugged appearance of the mountain stream carved out of the rock face. The scenery is so powerful that you feel as if you are being sucked into it.
Looking around, the Hakkoda mountain range can be seen to the east and Mt. Iwaki to the west, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the autumn leaves in addition to the foliage below. If you are coming from the direction of Sukayu Hot Spring, there is a sidewalk in the parking space before the bridge, and the composition of the bridge and autumn leaves from here is a popular photo opportunity.

The first changing of the colors is usually in early October.
Best time to see the leaves: Usually in mid-October.
Kinds of autumn foliage: beech, oak, maple, downy birch, etc.

Jogakura Bridge

• Arakawa Minami Arakawa Mountain, Aomori-shi, Aomori MAP
• Approx. 55 min. by car from JR Shin-Aomori Stn.
• 017-728-0200
• Free of charge

7
Water lily swamp

Beautiful autumn leaves reflected in the blue swamp

This is a swamp and marsh area at an elevation of 1,000 meters along the Hakkoda Gold Line, a road connecting Aomori City and Lake Towada. It is located between Hakkoda's hidden hot springs, Sukayu Onsen and Yachi Hot Spring, which boasts a 400-year history of its opening.
The name "Water Lily Swamp" comes from the lovely white flowers of the Ezo hijikusa, a member of the water lily family, that adorn the surface of the lake in summer. The view from the observation deck, however, is a must-see. The view from the observation deck, however, is definitely worth seeing. Over the blue water, you can see the Hakkoda mountain range, including Mt.
During the fall foliage season, the surrounding trees begin to turn red and yellow, and you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Hakkouda mountain range and marshlands that rise up behind the surface of the water reflecting the autumn foliage.

The autumn colors usually begin to change around the end of September.
Usually, the best time to see the leaves is in early October.
Kind of foliage】Beech

Water Lily Swamp

• Horyo Aza Yachi, Towada City, Aomori-ken MAP
• Approximately 90 minutes from JR Aomori Station by JR "Mizuumi" bus. 1 minute walk from "Suirenuma" bus stop.
• 0176-24-3006（Towada Oirase Tourism Organization)
• Free of charge

8
Nakano Maple Mountain

Breathtaking beauty of bright red autumn leaves and red bridges

The bridge is located in Kuroishi City, and is known as the "Little Arashiyama" of Tohoku, one of the best places in the prefecture to view the autumn colors. 1802, Prince Yasuchika Tsugaru, the ninth lord of the Hirosaki domain, brought over 100 varieties of maple seedlings from Kyoto and planted trees here, and the area has been a popular spot for viewing the autumn colors ever since.
Nakano Shrine is located in the mountain, and the area in front of the entrance to the shrine is a spectacular spot. The bright autumn leaves, the clear stream of Nakano River curving in a U-shape, and the red bridge provide a panoramic view of Mt. Within the shrine grounds, there are also many attractions such as Fudo Falls and Kanpu-dai, where visitors can enjoy strolling around as they wish. The illumination of the leaves at night is also fantastic.

The beginning of the changing of colors: Usually in early October.
Usually from mid-October to early November.
Kind of foliage】Momiji, maple, etc.
Light-up] October 18 (Sat) - November 9 (Sun), 16:30 - 21:00
Stalls open: Saturday, October 18 - Wednesday, November 5 (Mon)

Nakano Maple Mountain

• 27 Fudodate, Ooaza Minaminakano, Kuroishi City, Aomori Prefecture MAP
• From Kuroishi Station, take the Okawara Line of the Konan Bus for about 30 minutes, get off at the Nakano Jinja-mae stop, and walk about 1 minute.
• 0172-52-2111 (Tourism Section, Commerce and Industry Department, Kuroishi City)
• Free of charge

9
Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle)

Symbolic park of Hirosaki, the ancient capital of Japan, dyed in autumn colors

Hirosaki Park, which was the residence of the Tsugaru clan during the feudal era, is designated as a national historic site and is a symbol of the ancient city of Hirosaki. Although the park is nationally known for its cherry blossoms, in fact, the season of autumn leaves is also a popular tourist season. The green of the approximately 2,000 pine trees is beautifully offset by the autumn colors of the approximately 2,600 cherry trees and 1,000 maple trees, providing a different emotional atmosphere from that of the cherry blossoms in spring.

The first color change is usually in early October.
Usually from late October to early November.
Cherry trees, maple trees, ginkgo trees, etc.

Hirosaki Park (Hirosaki Castle)

• 1 Shimoshiragin-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori MAP
• Admission free; Honmaru and Kitanokaku open Apr. 1-Nov. 23, 9:00-17:00
• The Hirosaki Castle Keep is open Nov. 24 - Mar. 31.
• Admission to the park is free; the Honmaru and Kitanokaku are fee-based areas: high school students and older: 320 yen, elementary and junior high school students: 100 yen (free during the winter season from November 24 to March 31).
• 0172-37-5501（Hirosaki Municipal Tourism Center)