Oirase Gorge (奥入瀬渓流) in Towada draws visitors through the seasons: fresh green buds in spring, deep green in summer, and vivid colors in autumn. Winter brings one more special season. The winter-only Oirase Gorge Ice Waterfall Tour (奥入瀬渓流氷瀑ツアー) will run from Friday, December 25, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027. The tour is planned and operated by the Towada Oirase Tourism Organization (一般社団法人十和田奥入瀬観光機構, TOWADA TRAVEL), and reservations have been open on the official website since Friday, October 23.
On the tour, a tour bus enters the special protection zone of Towada-Hachimantai National Park (十和田八幡平国立公園), and a dedicated nature guide leads guests to notable spots along the gorge. Guests get off the bus to view ice waterfalls and snowy scenery while hearing about how the gorge was formed and about its plants and animals.
Photo: ©Towada Oirase Tourism Organization / 小山田邦哉
Photo: ©Towada Oirase Tourism Organization / 小山田邦哉
Two Courses: Daytime and Night
Guests can choose between a daytime course and a night course.
- Daytime Tour: In a forest where snow covers the trees right to the tips of their branches, guests are wrapped in a silver-white world. The tour offers sights that can only be seen during the day, such as animal tracks and icicles catching the light.
- Night Tour: A vehicle equipped with dedicated lighting equipment leads the way to five illuminated snowy spots. Ice formations rising out of the dark night and the play of light create a fantastical atmosphere, a world of light in harmony with nature. The color and intensity of the light differ from spot to spot.
Marking the 10th Edition This Winter
The Oirase Gorge Ice Waterfall Tour was developed through public-private cooperation to attract winter visitors and encourage repeat visits. It has drawn attention through honors including the Japan Tourism Awards (ジャパン・ツーリズム・アワード) and the Good Design Award (グッドデザイン賞). This winter marks the 10th edition of the tour, and it has become established as one of Towada's representative winter tourism offerings.
Tour Details
- Tour name: Oirase Gorge Ice Waterfall Tour (奥入瀬渓流氷瀑ツアー)
- Period: Friday, December 25, 2026 to Sunday, February 28, 2027 (held mainly on weekends)
- Organizer: Towada City (十和田市)
- Planning and operation: Towada Oirase Tourism Organization (TOWADA TRAVEL)
- Minimum number of participants: 1
Schedule
Plan 001: Winter Oirase Night Tour (Departing and Arriving at the City Area and Oirase Keiryu Onsen)
Plan 001 on the official website
©Towada Oirase Tourism Organization
Plan 002: Winter Oirase Daytime Tour (Departing and Arriving at Shichinohe-Towada Station, the City Area, and Oirase Keiryu Onsen)
Plan 002 on the official website
©Towada Oirase Tourism Organization
Plan 003: Winter Oirase Night Tour (Departing and Arriving at Lake Towada)
Plan 003 on the official website
©Towada Oirase Tourism Organization
Fares
- Adults: ¥3,300 to ¥4,400 (tax included)
- Children (elementary school students): ¥1,650 to ¥2,200 (tax included)
- Children below elementary school age are free, and the fare is half price for people with disabilities.
- The fare includes: bus fare, guide fee (excluding the access bus), various travel service fees, and consumption and other taxes.
Booking
Reservations are accepted on the official website. Payment is by credit card only.
Booking deadlines:
- Plan 001: Until 4:00 PM on the day of boarding
- Plan 002: Until 10:00 AM on the day of boarding
- Plan 003: Until 1:00 PM on the day of boarding
Notes
- When booking, be sure to check the fare, travel conditions, and other details on the reservation page.
- If weather conditions make it difficult to see the ice waterfalls or icicles, or if severe weather may prevent safe and smooth operation, the tour may be canceled. In that case, the full travel fare already paid will be refunded.
- Depending on the weather and conditions on the day, the walking course and stops may change without notice, and sightseeing may be done from the bus window instead.
- The ground is slippery, so boots with non-slip soles are recommended. Dress warmly with a down coat, knit hat, scarf, gloves, and similar items.
- Oirase Gorge has risks of avalanches, fallen trees, falling rocks, and falling branches. During the tour, follow the instructions of the guide or staff, and never act alone.
- The Oirase Gorge area is part of Towada-Hachimantai National Park. Capturing or collecting any animals or plants is prohibited by law.
- The tour offers a discount for people with disabilities. A disability certificate may be requested at check-in on the day of the tour.
