<Towada City, Oirase Keiryu Seasonal Temperatures and Recommended Clothing

Spring (March to May) Temperatures and Clothing

The average temperature in March is 4.0°C. This is lower than Tokyo’s average midwinter temperature, and the bitter cold continues. The national highway known as the “Hakkoda-Lake Towada Gold Line,” which was closed during the winter, reopens in early April, revealing a snow corridor approximately 7 meters high.
From late April through Golden Week, the 156 cherry trees lining Kancho-gai Street—selected as one of “Japan’s Top 100 Roads”—reach their peak bloom. While some days see maximum temperatures exceeding 20°C, the average minimum temperature is -0.36°C, making for bitterly cold conditions; a thick coat and scarf are necessary at night.
By May, the average high temperature rises to 14.7°C. However, in national parks such as Oirase Gorge, snow still lingers until mid-May, and plants don’t begin to bud until late May.If you plan to go hiking or enjoy other outdoor activities, be sure to bring a windproof jacket—such as a windbreaker worn over a thick base layer.

Summer (June-August) Temperatures and Clothing

Summer in the Towada City and Oirase Gorge area is bustling with tourists enjoying forest walks and lake activities. Average summer temperatures are 18.3°C in June, 21.9°C in July, and 23.7°C in August. These figures are about 5°C lower than the average temperatures in Tokyo.
During this season, when the “Yamase”—a cold, humid northeasterly wind originating from the Okhotsk High—blows, temperatures can drop sharply. We recommend always having a thick, fabric-based outer layer, such as a hoodie, on hand. When the “Yamase” occurs, dense fog is likely to form, so please exercise caution when driving.
In years when the “yamase” does not occur, average high temperatures exceed 30°C from July through August, until after the Obon holiday.During the day, it gets hot enough to make you sweat even in short sleeves, but it cools down at night, so be sure to bring a cardigan or similar garment. Also, when hiking along the Oirase Stream, be on the lookout for bees and ticks, and wear long sleeves and long pants even on muggy days.

Autumn (September to November) Temperatures and Clothing

Once September arrives, the average temperature drops to 19.8°C, and autumn sets in all at once. Lake Towada and the Oirase Stream—both famous for their fall foliage—are adorned with vibrant autumn colors from mid-October through early November. The city center also attracts many tourists seeking to enjoy the arts, marking the start of the peak tourist season that lasts throughout the year.
The average temperature in October is 13.3°C and 7.1°C in November, which is about 6°C lower than in Tokyo. Mornings and evenings can be quite chilly, and temperatures fluctuate significantly depending on the weather. It gets particularly cold on rainy days, so be sure to dress warmly when visiting the Oirase Stream, where the weather is unpredictable.Be sure to wear a fleece or down jacket and long pants.
In early November, when the first snow falls at Lake Towada and the Oirase Gorge, direct buses from Aomori Station and Hachinohe Station are suspended until spring, and by mid-November, the “Hakkoda-Towada Gold Line” closes. The long winter begins.
(During the winter, local buses may operate special weekend services.)

Winter (December to February) Temperatures and Clothing

The average temperature in December is 0.4°C, in January -1.6°C, and in February -0.7°C; the cold intensifies, with the average low in January—the coldest month—reaching -12.5°C.
In the city center, where there is little snow, you can get by wearing a thick coat, a scarf, gloves,hand warmers—just as you would for a Tokyo winter. However, when visiting the Lake Towada area or Oirase, where the snow is deeper, be sure to wear snow boots and snow gear that provide both warmth and protection against the snow.
With few tourists and enveloped in silence, winter at Lake Towada and the Oirase Stream is truly special. During the “Lake Towada Winter Story”—one of Aomori Prefecture’s premier events held for about three weeks in February—you can enjoy winter fireworks, 6,000 snow lanterns, and ice monuments.Furthermore, along the Oirase Stream, you’ll find beautiful scenery—such as icicles and frozen waterfalls—that can only be seen in the bitter cold of winter.