I’m a perfectionist when it comes to the content I create for this site, both in terms of the accuracy and clarity of the information I present, as well as the imagery that goes along with it. This is especially important in the era of AI, where LLMs can produce articles that are equal to or greater than those written by mediocre humans.
One way my perfectionism manifests? Returning, sometimes multiple times, to certain locations to get what I’ve deemed to be the “money shot.”
This tendency is the thread that ties together my manifold trips to Lake Towada in Aomori prefecture—first in the late summer of 2017; then again in autumn 2023 (but when most trees were still green); and finally in 2025, right at fall’s peak perfection. But this post is about you, not me, so let’s get started.
How to Get to Lake Towada
How do you get to Lake Towada? Well, there are two basic ways. You can technically get there via public transportation: JR Bus Tohoku runs several direct buses per day from both Aomori and Hachinohe Stations to Lake Towada. These stop not only at Towada-jinja shrine on the shores of the lake, but also at various points along Oirase Gorge, which is one of my favorite peripheral attractions in the area.
With this being said, I’m a big proponent of renting a car and self-driving, in part because this is the only reliable way to see the lake from the many viewpoints around it. Having your own car also allows you to see peripheral attractions, such as the Hakkoda Ropeway, the apple orchards of Kuroishi and even Hirosaki City, if you want to do it on the same day. Note that you can’t drive a private car on the road that runs along Oirase Gorge; you simply park near the trailhead.
My Favorite Things to Do at Lake Towada
Enjoy seasonal sights on the way in
Presuming you follow my advice and rent a car, you can start your adventure before you even see the waters of Towada-ko gleaming in the distance. Even if you don’t stop at the famous apple orchards of Kuroishi to pick up a snack, stop at Nakano Momiji Mountain and enjoy astonishing autumn scenery.
Start with a sweeping panorama
Another advantage of executing your Lake Towada itinerary? You can stop at any number of viewpoints along the lakeshore. I tend to prefer the one to the south of the lake, such as Hakka-touge and Sasamori, as they afford the best views of the Nakayama Peninsula (among other beautiful imagery on offer).
Have some apple pie
I mentioned apples earlier, and while these are harvested just to the west of Lake Towada, you can very much enjoy them here. Beyond apple soft cream for sale along the lake shore itself, I suggest stopping at Cafe Ikoi, which is my favorite place to enjoy apple pie with a cup of coffee on a cool autumn morning.
Say a prayer at Towada Shrine
Whether you’ll be self-driving or will be taking a Lake Towada day trip without a car, Towada-jinja shrine is worth a visit. It offers beautiful views of the lakeshore, and is also a setting off point for boat trips around the lake. Make sure to read up on local mythology (tl;dr: Apparently, Jesus was actually born here) before you go.
Hike along Oirase Gorge
I first visited Oirase Gorge in the late summer of 2017, when literally all the trees there were green. It was stunning, I’ll admit, but when I finally saw it ablazed in yellow eight years later, I confidently declared to myself that it was worth the wait (and the hike, as the road along the gorge is closed during the autumn).
Should You Stay Overnight at Lake Towada?
Having stayed overnight at Towada-ko once before, I’m of two minds. On one hand, staying the night gives you more time to enjoy and explore all nearby attractions; spreading your trip over two days means you have double the change of having good weather, which is important if you want to get the best possible views of it. There are also a wide range of accommodations in the vicinity of Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge.
On the other hand, there’s a whole lot else to see in Aomori-ken, from aforementioned attractions like the Hakkoda Ropeway and Hirosaki city, to farther-flung ones like Osorezan Bodai-ji temple on the Shimokita Peninsula, and Takayama Inari Shrine along the Sea of Japan coast in the far western part of the prefecture. Unless you have a great deal of time here, devoting a full night to Lake Towada might not be sensible.
Other FAQ About Visiting Lake Towada
Is Lake Towada worth visiting?
Lake Towada is definitely worth visiting, especially if you can visit around the first of November, particularly on a clear day. If you can manage these two things, then the combination of fiery hillsides and blue sky is nothing short of enchanting, and allows you to see the lake and its surroundings at the absolute peak of their beauty.
When is the best time to visit Lake Towada?
In my opinion, the best time to visit Lake Towada is right around November 1. Although this is slightly later than “official” forecasts for peak autumn color, I find that allowing the leaves to be a little more advanced results in a more brilliantly colored hillside overall.
What is the best view of Lake Towada?
For my money, the best views of Lake Towada are from either the Sasamori or Hakka-touge Observation Decks, both of which are located to the south of the lake and provide sweeping panoramas. With this being said, I do also enjoy viewing the lake from water-level, specifically by looking westward from Towada-jinja shrine.
The Bottom Line
Lake Towada absolutely lives up to the hype, especially if you properly time your visit here to line up with peak autumn colors. This last point is important: Although leaves in and around the lake can begin changing as early as mid-October, you really need to wait until (or, in some years, after) November 1 to see the caldera’s shores fully ablaze, creating the most dramatic and impressive effect. Likewise, it’s important to rent a car if you want to maximize your flexibility for sightseeing in rural Aomori prefecture, even if that’s simply in terms of ascending viewpoints above the link. Need personalized help incorporating Towada-ko into your trip? Commission a custom Japan itinerary today!
