Access and Orientation

From/To:

Take a Hayabusa train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hachinohe (3 hours, about 16,500 yen, hourly departures, seat reservations required) and change to a JR bus bound for Towadako (135 minutes, 3,050 yen, 2 buses per day, seat reservations are required when riding the bus from Hachinohe). The bus makes stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The Japan Rail Pass and JR East Tohoku Area Pass are valid on the JR buses, but the JR East South Hokkaido Pass and JR Tohoku South Hokkaido Rail Pass are not.

JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. The flight takes around 85 minutes, and the regular fare is about 39,000 yen one way. Discount tickets are typically available for around 16,000 yen.

From the airport take a bus to Aomori Station (35 minutes, 860 yen), and transfer to a JR bus bound for Towadako, which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The one way bus ride takes about 2.5 hours and costs 3,480 yen. There are 2-3 departures per day from mid April to early November. During winter, bus service is provided only between Aomori and Mount Hakkoda (Sukayu Onsen). The Japan Rail Pass and JR East Tohoku Area Pass are valid on the JR buses, but the JR East South Hokkaido Pass and JR Tohoku South Hokkaido Rail Pass are not.

Airfares from Tokyo to Aomori over the next 30 days December 22, 2024 - January 20, 2025

Airline	Lowest fare	Average lowest fare
JAL	15,014 yen	17,381 yen

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Many roads in the area around Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda get closed during winter (typically from late November to around April), including the road between Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda. However, Lake Towada remains accessible by car from Hachinohe via the Oirase Stream around the year. Likewise, the road from Aomori to Mount Hakkoda remains open around the year. Winter driving skills are required during the winter months. Car rental outlets can be found at Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori Station.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

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 the Oirase Stream.

The main means of public transportation are the JR buses, which operate between Yasumiya (Towadako bus stop), Nenokuchi, the Oirase Stream and either Aomori City (from mid April to early November) or Hachinohe (around the year). The buses are covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Tohoku Area Pass, but not by the JR East South Hokkaido Pass and JR Tohoku South Hokkaido Rail Pass. Seat reservations are required when boarding buses from Hachinohe in the direction of Lake Towadako, but not on other buses.

Furthermore, there are boat connections between Yasumiya and Nenokuchi outside of winter.

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 the 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.