Towada City is located in the inland southern part of Aomori Prefecture in northern Japan. As a central city of the Kamikita region, it is known for its spectacular natural scenery, rich agricultural traditions, historic sites, hot springs, local cuisine, and vibrant contemporary art scene.
The city’s most famous natural attractions are Lake Towada and the Oirase Stream. Both are part of Towada-Hachimantai National Park and offer beautiful scenery throughout the year. At the same time, Towada has developed a distinctive identity as an “art city,” with the Towada Art Center at the heart of an urban revitalization project that brings contemporary art into everyday city life.
From volcanic landscapes and mountain forests to historic streets, traditional culture, farms, hot springs, and modern art installations, Towada offers an unusually diverse travel experience.
Towada City has a varied natural landscape. The Hakkōda Mountains rise in the northwestern part of the city, while broad pastureland spreads across their foothills. Peaks such as Mount Norikura, Mount Akakura, and Mount Sarukura in the Southern Hakkōda range are popular with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
In the west lies Lake Towada, a spectacular volcanic caldera lake surrounded by mountains. The outer mountains include Mount Ohanabe and Mount Towada, creating an impressive landscape in which deep blue water, forested slopes, and dramatic volcanic terrain come together.
Lake Towada is one of northern Japan’s most iconic natural attractions. Formed by volcanic activity, the lake is surrounded by dense forests and mountains and is especially beautiful in spring, when fresh green leaves appear, and in autumn, when the surrounding forests turn red, yellow, and orange.
Visitors can enjoy the lake from sightseeing boats, walking trails, viewpoints, and lakeside areas such as Yasumiya. A cruise is particularly enjoyable because it provides a different perspective of the surrounding caldera landscape.
The Oirase Stream is the only major river flowing out of Lake Towada. The approximately 14-kilometer section between Nenokuchi and Yakeyama is known as Oirase Stream and is one of the most famous scenic areas in northern Japan.
The stream flows through a lush forest, passing waterfalls, moss-covered rocks, pools, and rapids. The constantly changing scenery makes it ideal for walking and photography. Fresh greenery in late spring and summer and colorful autumn foliage in October are particularly popular.
Walking beside the clear stream provides a peaceful opportunity to experience the forests of Towada-Hachimantai National Park at close range.
The central and eastern parts of Towada are characterized by the broad Sanbongi Plain. This area was formed from sediment carried by the Oirase River together with volcanic ash from the Hakkōda Mountains.
For centuries, the plateau was considered difficult land for agriculture because of its lack of water. The development of the Inaoigawa irrigation canal changed this dramatically and became the foundation for the area’s agricultural development.
The history of modern Towada is closely connected with the efforts of Nitobe Tsutō, who began planning an irrigation system that would bring water from the Oirase River in 1855. In 1859, an approximately 11-kilometer irrigation canal known as Inaoigawa was completed.
With a reliable supply of water, previously dry land could be cultivated. The project became one of the foundations of Towada’s development and remains an important part of the city’s history.
Nitobe Tsutō’s son, Nitobe Jūjirō, continued the development of the area and created a carefully planned urban district with streets arranged in a grid pattern.
This orderly city design can still be seen today. One of the best-known examples is Government Office Street, where rows of cherry trees burst into bloom in spring. The street has become a popular place for residents and visitors to enjoy the city’s seasonal beauty.
Agriculture remains an important part of Towada’s identity. The city is particularly famous for its garlic production and is known as Japan’s leading garlic-producing municipality. Other major crops include green onions, Japanese yam, and burdock.
Rice cultivation is also important. Varieties such as Masshigura and Tsugaru Roman are grown in the region. Farmers have developed techniques to deal with the cool weather and agricultural challenges caused by the local Yamase, a cold easterly wind that can affect northeastern Japan.
In recent years, blueberry cultivation has also expanded. Some farms offer fruit-picking experiences, allowing visitors to enjoy freshly harvested berries while experiencing rural life in Towada.
Local farmers also place an emphasis on quality, including the cultivation of produce marketed as “mineral-rich vegetables.” These agricultural products provide another way for visitors to experience the character of the region.
One of Towada’s most distinctive features is its commitment to contemporary art. Rather than concentrating art in a single conventional museum, the city has incorporated artworks and creative spaces into the urban environment.
Towada Art Center is the centerpiece of this project and has attracted attention from visitors in Japan and around the world.
The museum has an unusual architectural concept. Instead of placing many artworks together in one large exhibition hall, individual exhibition rooms are designed around individual works of art. These rooms are connected by glass corridors, creating a layout that encourages visitors to move through the museum almost as if they were walking through a city.
Large windows also allow some artworks to visually connect with the streets outside. As a result, the boundary between museum and city becomes less distinct.
This concept is part of a broader urban art initiative that aims to make art a natural part of everyday life. Visitors can therefore experience contemporary art not only inside the museum but also while exploring the surrounding streets.
The Towada Science Museum introduces visitors to science and the natural environment of the local area. Its exhibits provide an accessible learning experience for both children and adults.
The Nitobe Memorial Museum, which is currently closed, has preserved materials associated with Nitobe Inazō and the history of regional development and education.
Shōtoku-kan focuses on the cultural history of horses, an important part of Towada’s regional heritage. The exhibits offer insight into the long relationship between local communities, agriculture, and horses.
The Towada Lake Folk Museum presents materials related to the history and everyday lives of people who lived around Lake Towada.
The exhibits show how local communities adapted to the mountainous environment and made use of the lake and surrounding forests. It is a useful place for travelers who want to understand the human history behind the area’s spectacular natural scenery.
Towada is also an excellent destination for travelers who enjoy hot springs and quiet stays surrounded by nature.
The Oirase area is home to several hot spring destinations, including Oirase Stream Hot Spring, Yakeyama Onsen, Tsuta Onsen, and Sarukura Onsen.
After hiking through the forests or exploring the Oirase Stream, soaking in a traditional Japanese hot spring is a wonderful way to relax. Each hot spring area has its own atmosphere, ranging from established resort facilities to quiet mountain bathing retreats.
Yachi Onsen is one of the hot springs traditionally counted among Japan’s three great hidden hot springs. With a history of approximately 400 years, it is located near a trailhead for the Hakkōda Mountains.
The simple atmosphere of this historic mountain hot spring reflects the traditional Japanese concept of a tōji, or hot-spring retreat where people traditionally stayed for extended periods to rest and recuperate.
Surrounded by forests and mountains, Yachi Onsen is particularly appealing to travelers looking for a quiet experience away from major tourist centers.
The Lake Towada Lakeside Hot Spring area provides opportunities to relax while enjoying views of the lake.
Nearby, in the Yasumiya area, stands the famous Statue of Otome, the final major work of renowned Japanese sculptor Kōtarō Takamura. The bronze statue has become one of the symbols of Lake Towada and is a popular landmark for visitors exploring the lakeshore.
Towada’s attractions are not limited to mountains and museums. The city also preserves enormous trees, traditional houses, historic roads, and remnants of former settlements.
The Hōryō Ginkgo Tree is designated as a Natural Monument of Japan and is estimated to be approximately 1,100 years old.
The giant tree is around 30 meters tall, with a trunk circumference of approximately 15 meters. Its enormous size makes it an impressive sight.
Aerial roots extending from the trunk resemble a woman’s breasts, and the tree has traditionally been worshipped as a sacred tree associated with childbirth and the healthy growth of children. This combination of natural grandeur and local belief makes the tree an especially fascinating cultural landmark.
Towada is also home to enormous fir and sawtooth oak trees, both designated as Natural Monuments of Aomori Prefecture.
They are said to stand on the former site of a castle belonging to Sawada Saemon Sadamoto, a local lord during the Sengoku period. The trees therefore connect the natural environment with the region’s medieval history.
The Former Kasaishi Family Residence is a traditional Japanese farmhouse designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Its architecture provides a glimpse into the lives and building techniques of earlier generations.
Several historic ichirizuka, or traditional distance markers, can also be found in the area. These mounds were used along major roads during the Edo period to indicate distances for travelers and help them navigate long journeys.
The Snow March Memorial Monument commemorates a young local guide who helped guide soldiers during the famous Hakkōda winter expedition. The monument serves as a reminder of an important and tragic episode in the region’s history.
The Okuse Castle Site preserves traces of a former mountain castle built on elevated ground. Exploring these historic remains provides another perspective on the long history of settlement in the Towada area.
One of Towada’s best-known local dishes is Towada Barayaki, a hearty dish made by stir-frying a generous amount of onions with thinly sliced beef short ribs in a sweet and savory soy-based sauce.
The combination is simple but extremely satisfying, especially when served with steamed rice. The dish is popular with both local residents and visitors and has become one of the signature foods associated with Towada.
Towada Barayaki is believed to have originated in neighboring Misawa, but Towada has become widely recognized as one of its principal destinations. Many restaurants in the city serve the dish.
Some restaurants also offer variations using pork, horse meat, or lamb instead of beef, making it possible for visitors to compare different styles of this regional specialty.
Towada City does not currently have a railway station, so bus transportation and road travel are important ways of reaching the city.
The former Towada Kankō Electric Railway once provided rail service, but the railway has since been discontinued. Today, Towada City Chūō Bus Stop serves as an important transportation point in the city center.
Travelers can reach Towada from Shichinohe-Towada Station or Hachinohe Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen by car or bus. Depending on the route and destination, the journey generally takes around 20 to 40 minutes. Misawa Airport also provides access to the region.
A rental car or private vehicle is particularly convenient for exploring the wider Towada area because major attractions such as Lake Towada, Oirase Stream, hot springs, and mountain destinations are spread over a large area. Some hotels and traditional inns also offer pickup services, which can make sightseeing easier for visitors without a car.
Towada City brings together some of northern Japan’s most remarkable experiences in one destination. Visitors can begin with the volcanic scenery of Lake Towada, walk beside the clear waters of Oirase Stream, relax in a historic mountain hot spring, discover the story of the area’s pioneers, taste locally grown agricultural products, and finish the day surrounded by contemporary art.
The city is particularly appealing because its natural and cultural attractions are not isolated from one another. The history of irrigation and land development shaped the city, agriculture continues to support local life, and contemporary art has been incorporated into the streetscape.
In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery transform the landscape. Summer brings pleasant mountain scenery and opportunities for hiking. Autumn is famous for spectacular foliage around Lake Towada and Oirase, while winter creates a quiet snow-covered world in the mountain areas.
For travelers looking for more than a single sightseeing landmark, Towada offers a complete journey through nature, history, food, hot springs, and art. Its combination of wild landscapes and creative urban culture makes it one of Aomori’s most distinctive destinations.