The waterfalls are frozen... and countless icicles hang from the rock faces. The "Oirase Gorge Icefall Tour" in Aomori will be held from December 25th

In the Oirase Gorge in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, waterfalls freeze over in winter, creating large icicles that line the rock faces. The"Oirase Gorge Icefall Tour," which, will be held mainly on weekends from December 25, 2026 (Friday) to February 28, 2027 (Sunday).

This winter marks the 10th anniversary of the tour, whichtwo options: a daytime course to observe snow-covered forests and icicles, anda nighttime course where a lighting vehicle illuminates icefalls and snowscapes. Both tours involve traveling by bus, with participants disembarking at points of interest to view winter streams while listening to explanations from a guide.

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What are the "icefalls" of the Oirase Stream? Winter ice walls appearing at Mamon-iwa Rock

The Oirase Stream stretches for approximately 14 km from Nenokuchi on Lake Towada to Yakiyama. Water flows through the stream even in winter, but the waterfalls that flow in from the sides freeze over in the cold, creating what is known as "icefalls."

In addition to the many famous waterfalls that offer spectacular views throughout the seasons, there are also places where"Mamon-iwa,"where water dripping down a rock face that normally has no waterfalls freezes and spreads out as ice covering the wall.

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During the day, observe the snowy forest; at night, explore with mobile illuminations

the daytime tour, you'll observe snow-covered trees and icicles visible in natural light. While listening to your guide's explanations, you can also look for traces unique to the winter forest, such as animal footprints left in the snow.

the night tour, a vehicle equipped with lighting equipment will precede the bus, illuminating each viewing point in sequence.

The color and intensity of the light vary from location to location, highlighting the shapes of icicles and the unevenness of snow-covered rock faces. For tours departing from the city center and Oirase Gorge Onsen, in addition to Mamon-iwa Rock, the snow-covered Shimo-Mamon-zawa stream is also illuminated

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Participation is possible even from Shinkansen stations. Choose from 3 plans based on your departure and arrival locations

The "Oirase Stream Icefall Tour" offers one daytime course and two nighttime courses

Plan	Departure and arrival area	Application deadline
001 Night Tour	Towada city center / Oirase Gorge hot spring	16:00 on the day of travel
002 Daytime Tour	Shichinohe-Towada Station, Towada city center, Oirase Gorge Hot Springs	10:00 on the day of travel
003 Night Tour	Lake Towada	13:00 on the day of travel

If you're traveling by Shinkansen, daytime services departing from and arriving at Shichinohe-Towada Station are good options. If you're going to see the nighttime illuminations from near your accommodation, nighttime services departing from and arriving in the city center/Keiryu Onsen area, or from the shores of Lake Towada,are good choices.

The difference between the night tours in Plans 001 and 003 is a bit subtle if you're not familiar with the area, but the mainthe tour departs from the northern end of the Oirase Stream (Towada city center/Oirase Stream Onsen)orthe southern end (Lake Towada).

When applying, please be sure to carefully check your accommodation location and the tour's departure and arrival points

Plan 001: From Towada city center and Oirase Gorge hot springs to the icefall at night

The tour departs from platform 3 at the Towada city center transportation plaza at 6:25 PM . It will pass through Oirase Keiryu Onsen and Oirase Keiryu Hotel, and, accompanied by a guide, will visit five illuminated locations.

This plan also includes lighting up the snow-covered stream at Shimomammonzawa

The return trip is scheduled to arrive at Oirase Keiryu Hotel at 21:08, Oirase Keiryu Onsen at 21:16, and the town center transportation plaza at 21:55. If you plan to have dinner in the city before joining, it would be best to plan your schedule to coincide with the 18:25 departure

The waiting area at the town center transportation plaza closes at 10:00 PM, so please be mindful of your return time if you plan to use the lockers

Plan 002: Daytime tour departing from Shichinohe-Towada Station

departing at 12:30 from the south exit rotary of JR Shichinohe-Towada Station. You can also board the bus at the park-side bus stop of Towada Art Center, Oirase Keiryu Onsen, and in front of the guide counter at Oirase Keiryu-kan.

In addition to transferring from the Shinkansen, you can also sightsee in the city of Towada in the morning and meet up near the art museum

Along the stream, you'll enjoy viewing icicles and snow-covered forests in natural light while listening to your guide's explanations. The return trip is scheduled to arrive at Oirase Stream Museum at 4:00 PM, Towada Art Center at 5:00 PM, and Shichinohe-Towada Station at 5:35 PM

If you're using the Shinkansen (bullet train), be sure to check the connections for your return trip as well

Plan 003: From Yasumiya on the shores of Lake Towada to the nighttime illuminations

This evening tour is convenient for those staying on the shores of Lake Towada.It departs from Hotel Towada-so at 17:25and passes by Towadako Nigiyama-tei, Towada Lakeside Sakura-raku, and the restrooms in front of the Yasumiya North Parking Lot.

Boarding and alighting at the Towada Lakeside Sakura bus is limited to guests staying at the facility

After visiting five illuminated spots along the Oirase Stream, we plan to arrive at Hotel Towadaso at 19:35 and Yasumiya North Parking Lot at 19:44

This can be incorporated into a trip that uses the lakeside as a base and goes to see the night view of Oirase in the evening

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Source:Press release from Towada Oirase Tourism Organization (PR TIMES)

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