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How to travel between Tokyo and Lake Towada
By train
Take a hayate train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hachinohe (3 hours, 15,000 yen, hourly departures, seat reservations required) and change to a JR Tohoku Bus bound for Towadako (135 minutes, 2,600 yen, 3-4 buses per day). The bus makes stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on both shinkansen and the JR Bus, however the JR East Pass is only valid for the shinkansen.
By air
JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. The flight takes around 80 minutes, and the regular fare is about 30,000 yen one way. Discount tickets are typically available for between 16,000 and 19,000 yen, and with an air pass you can fly for even less.
From the airport take a bus to Aomori Station (35 minutes, 680 yen), and transfer to a JR Tohoku Bus bound for Towadako, which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The one way bus ride takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes, costs 3,000 yen, and there are 6-7 departures per day. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on JR Tohoku buses, while the JR East Pass is not.
The above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation:
The small town of Yasumiya is the only major development along the shores of Lake Towada. Yasumiya serves as the area's transportation hub with both the boat pier and the Towadako bus stop. The rest of Lake Towada is largely undeveloped save the occasional residence, hotel and viewpoint, and a few tourist facilities at Nenokuchi for visitors to Oirase Stream.
The main means of public transportation is the JR bus, which operates between Yasumiya (Towadako bus stop), Nenokuchi, the Oirase Stream and either Aomori City or Hachinohe. The bus is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but not by the the JR East Pass. Sightseeing boats can serve as a scenic alternative to the bus between Yasumiya and Nenokuchi.
Additional buses, operated by Shuhoku Bus and Towada Taxi, travel south from Yasumiya (Towadako bus stop) to Towada-Minami Station (1 hour, 1130 yen) and Kazunohanawa Station (80 minutes, 1320 yen) on the JR Hanawa Line in Akita Prefecture. There are 3 to 4 buses per day on this route.
A car is the only option available if you wish to travel around the whole lake. Note that some roads are closed during winter, and that cars are restricted along Oirase Stream on certain days during the autumn leaf season. Rental car outlets can be found in Hachinohe, Aomori City, Aomori Airport and central Towada City, but note, that central Towada City is located quite distant from Lake Towada.
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