🍁 Aomori · 1–2 days
Towada, Oirase & Hakkōda Drive: Aomori's Gorge, Caldera Lake & Onsen
From the seaside onsen of Asamushi over the Hakkōda mountains to the Oirase Gorge stream and the caldera lake of Towada — one of Tōhoku's greatest scenic drives. 4 michi-no-eki.
This is Tōhoku's showpiece drive. It climbs from the hot-spring resort of Asamushi on Aomori Bay over the Hakkōda mountains — famous for their autumn colour and their winter "snow monsters" — and drops to the Oirase Gorge, a stream of moss, rapids and waterfalls, and the deep blue caldera of Lake Towada.
The route runs from Asamushi and its aquarium, up and over Hakkōda, down the Oirase Gorge (walk the streamside path between the falls), to Towada city with its art museum and cherry-lined government street, and on to Shingō in the hills above the lake's south side.
The stops, in driving order
- 1 Michi-no-Eki Asamushi Onsen 道の駅 浅虫温泉 · Aomori
Michi-no-Eki Asamushi Onsen (道の駅 浅虫温泉) is a government-designated roadside station in 青森市, Aomori, Japan, registered in 1999 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a hot-spring (onsen) bath, a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop and a tourist-information desk. There is free parking for about 130 cars and 16 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 7:00–20:30〔施設により異なる〕. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Tohoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Wakinosawa, Namioka and Shichinohe.
Nearby: 🏛平内町 歴史民俗資料館 (8.8 km) · 📸カラオケ スペース スキャット (11.7 km)
- 2 Michi-no-Eki Oirase 道の駅 奥入瀬 · Aomori
Michi-no-Eki Oirase (道の駅 奥入瀬) is a government-designated roadside station in 十和田市, Aomori, Japan, registered in 1995 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, a tourist-information desk and a park. There is free parking for about 340 cars and 10 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–18:00 ＜休 12/31–1/1＞. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Tohoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Towada, Shichinohe and Shingou.
Nearby: 📸北大 21号店 (7.1 km) · 📸蒸気機関車 D51 663 (8.6 km)
- 3 Michi-no-Eki Towada 道の駅 とわだ · Aomori
Michi-no-Eki Towada (道の駅 とわだ) is a government-designated roadside station in 十和田市, Aomori, Japan, registered in 2001 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a cafe, a local-products shop, a tourist-information desk and a park. There is free parking for about 190 cars and 18 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–20:00（4月–10月）、9:00–19:00（11月–3月） ＜休 1/1＞. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Tohoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Rokunohe, Oirase and Ogawara Mizuumi.
Nearby: 📸イーグルボウル (5.3 km) · 🏛新渡戸記念館 (6 km)
- 4 Michi-no-Eki Shingou 道の駅 しんごう · Aomori
Michi-no-Eki Shingou (道の駅 しんごう) is a government-designated roadside station in 三戸郡新郷村, Aomori, Japan, registered in 1994 as one of the country's official michi-no-eki rest stops for road travellers. On-site you'll find a restaurant, a local-products shop, a campground, showers and hands-on experiences. There is free parking for about 207 cars and 9 large vehicles. Typical opening hours are 9:00–17:00 ＜休 水曜日＞ ≪冬期閉鎖あり≫. Like every michi-no-eki it offers free parking and 24-hour restrooms, making it a reliable stop on a Tohoku road trip or campervan tour. It also makes a handy base for reaching nearby stations such as Sannohe, Oirase and Towada.
Nearby: ⛰Mt. Asahinadake (12.1 km) · 📸石ヶ戸 (14.6 km)
Make this route yours — load all 4 stops into the planner, reorder or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
Customize this route →Route tips
- Oirase Gorge is best on foot — park and walk the streamside trail between Ishigedo and Kumoi-no-taki.
- Peak autumn colour on Hakkōda and Oirase is mid-to-late October; the higher passes close in winter.
- Asamushi has an aquarium and seaside hot springs; Towada city has a striking contemporary art museum.
- This joins the Akita-side Kazuno drive at Lake Towada — combine them for a two-day loop.
Before you drive
- Can you drive in Japan? License rules by country
- Renting a car in Japan: the complete guide
- Can you sleep overnight at a michi-no-eki?
FAQ — Towada & Oirase
How many days do you need for the Towada & Oirase route?
1–2 days is a comfortable pace: roughly 90 km of driving with 4 michi-no-eki stops along the way. You can compress it, but the stops are the point.
Where does the route start and end?
It starts at Asamushi Onsen (Aomori) and ends at Shingō. Load all 4 stops into the free MichiStops route planner to reorder, add or remove stops, then open the finished trip in Google Maps.
When is the best season to drive this route?
Late April–October (fresh green in May–June, spectacular autumn colour mid-October).
Do I need to rent a car?
Yes — michi-no-eki are roadside stations, realistically reachable only by rental car or campervan. Most visitors can drive in Japan with a 1949-convention International Driving Permit; check the license rules for your country before booking. License rules by country →
Can I sleep overnight at the michi-no-eki on this route?
Resting overnight in your vehicle is tolerated at most michi-no-eki (camping outside the vehicle is not), and 1 stop on this route has a proper campground next door. Read the overnight-stay guide for the etiquette. Overnight-stay guide →