Oirase Keiryu, located in Aomori Prefecture in Japan's northeastern region of Tohoku, is one of the most breathtaking natural spots, offering a uniquely Japanese nature experience perfect for a relaxing trip.

I am an experienced tour guide who has explored spectacular scenic spots both around the world and within Japan. Oirase ranks amongst my top five favorite destinations in Japan, and one of my most highly recommended destinations in Tohoku.

With its incredible scenic nature, gorgeous atmosphere, delicious local cuisine, and soothing springs, Oirase is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Japan. And to fully experience the magic of Oirase, we recommend a stay at Hoshino Resort Oirase Keiryu Hotel.

In this article, I’ll share a sample two-day/one-night itinerary to help you make the most of your trip to Oirase.

Oirase Keiryu, located in Towada-Hachimantai National Park in Aomori Prefecture, is a scenic spot in the Tohoku Region, and one of the area's most famous attractions, having received two stars from the Michelin Green Guide.

While autumn (around mid-October to early November) is usually the most popular season to visit Oirase Keiryu, each season offers its own distinct landscape and natural beauty. Spring and summer are best for enjoying the lush greenery, while winter presents a magical landscape blanketed in snow where visitors can enjoy exciting winter activities.

For those planning to stay in Oirase for a night or two, we recommend the Hoshino Resort Oirase Keiryu Hotel. It’s the only resort hotel located along the stream within the national park. Besides offering stunning views and direct access to the stream, the hotel provides a range of exciting activities exclusive to its guests.

The theme is a “life of leisure at the gorge,” and this facility offers a tranquil space where guests can unwind and heal in the natural beauty of Oirase. Being here truly feels as though you've stepped right into the heart of nature.

Keiryu-BASE is a public area in the museum, built in 2023. As its name suggests, it serves as a base or hub for guests to enjoy all Keiryu has to offer.

At Keiryu-BASE, you’ll find the Keiryu Concierge, available from 9 AM to 6 PM, there to assist you with questions and provide advice on local walks. The hotel also offers a variety of hotel-sponsored activities for guests, including Keiryu open bus tours, moss walks, and kokedama (moss ball) workshops.

Seasonal activities include the kokedama workshop, Oirase lamp workshops, and fern accessory crafting, all available exclusively for hotel guests.

The Seseragi Deck, located toward the back of Keiryu-BASE, offers a space to relax that looks over the gorge. Enjoy a cup of tea, read a book, or chat with your friends while taking in the beautiful views.

The hotel boasts 187 guest rooms, each designed to provide a comfortable atmosphere in which to fully appreciate the gorgeous nature of Oirase Keiryu. The Keiryu Japanese-style Room offers a direct view of the gorge and is particularly popular among guests!

The Keiryu Suite is a rather fancy room, designed and furnished with your luxury in mind. Spanning 120 m2, it can accommodate a maximum of up to six guests.

The restaurant also features intricate details, including murals made with natural moss and tables inspired by the gorge.

The suite’s private baths also boast the same high-quality spring water as the main bath, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing hot spring soak at your convenience.

Next to the bath is a conservatory (English-style sunroom), where you can enjoy the gorge's beauty in a private setting, surrounded by the soothing scent of the hot springs, the gentle sounds of flowing water, and picturesque views.

Here’s a recommended 2-day itinerary to maximize your trip to Oirase Keiryu, inspired by our stay at Hoshino Resort Oirase Keiryu Hotel.

For this 2-day plan, we recommend arriving as early as possible, preferably by around 1 PM. From central Tokyo, take the Shinkansen to JR Hachinohe Station, then transfer to either the Mizunami or Oirase JR bus (buses also depart from Shin-Aomori and Aomori Stations). Catching the Oirase 21 bus from Hachinohe Station West Exit at 10 AM will get you to Oirase Keiryu-kan, the closest stop to the hotel, by 11:36 AM. (Note that the previously available Yakeyama bus stop will no longer operate after September 1, 2024.)

For those looking for souvenirs or wanting to learn more about the Oirase area, consider getting off at the following stop, Oirase Keiryu-kan. Oirase Keiryu-kan serves as a visitor center featuring exhibits on Oirase’s history and ecosystem, a museum shop, and a cafe. The hotel is a 3-5 minute walk from both bus stops.

For those planning to arrive a bit later or to stay for two or three nights, we recommend the free shuttle bus service provided by Hoshino Resort Oirase Keiryu Hotel. The shuttle departs from Shin-Aomori, Aomori, and Hachinohe Stations according to check-in times (reservations required).

Check-in starts at 3 PM. Those who get their earlier can drop off their luggage and join the Keiryu Open Bus Tour immediately upon arrival, designed to give you an overview of Oirase.

The Keiryu Open Bus Tour is a 90-minute open-air double-decker bus ride that takes you along the 14 km stretch of Oirase Keiryu to Lake Towada. The first tour runs from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM, and the second runs from 1:30 PM to 3 PM, making it an ideal pre-check-in activity.

The Keiryu Open Bus Tour is a special activity exclusively for guests. Introduced in 2022, it provides a way to enjoy the gorge while avoiding health hazards during the pandemic. This tour is perfect for getting a general overview of Oirase Keiryu, especially for new arrivals who are unfamiliar with the area, allowing for easier navigation during the rest of your stay.

During the tour, staff will introduce you to the history of Oirase Keiryu, while highlighting spots of interest, such as Ashura no Nagare and Tamadare Falls. The tour is conducted mostly in Japanese, however, some English explanations are given at major spots, making it an experience anyone can enjoy.

Nothing beats the thrill of riding through the forest tunnels in an open-air bus! The feeling of being immersed in nature, with the wind and scenery surrounding you, is truly unlike anything else!

The tour includes a 10-minute rest stop at Lake Towada, which is the starting point of Oirase Keiryu, allowing you to revisit spots you may have missed along the way.

You’ll also pass by areas with hanging branches and vines, further enhancing the feeling of being deep in the wilderness. But remember, the bus is open-air, and the weather and temperature can change quickly, so be sure to bring a hat or jacket to stay comfortable and protect yourself from the sun!

Those returning from the second Keiryu Open Bus Tour will be just in time to check-in. Once you enter the hotel lobby, you’ll be greeted by the distinctive bronze fireplace and a stunning, picture-perfect view of Oirase through the large windows right beyond the front desk, a defining feature of Hoshino Resort Oirase Keiryu Hotel.

Pictured here is the lobby space, given the name "Lobby: Myth of the Forest.” This space also features a distinct bronze fireplace (the “Myth of the Forest”), built by world-renowned artist Taro Okamoto, which is especially inviting in the cold winters!

After check-in, guests will be offered a welcome drink in the lobby. The selection includes local apple juice and apple cider, just as you’d expect from being in Aomori!

It’s also the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind from your journey.

Our stay was in the Keiryu Japanese-style room, a popular choice with a direct right of the gorge right before your eyes. The sight that greets you once you open the door is so impressive you can't help but say, "Wow!"

The room interior is spacious and relaxing, and despite being a Japanese-style room, features actual beds, making it extra comfortable for lounging.

By the window is a large sofa, spacious enough for one to stretch out comfortably, where you can kick back and enjoy the view. It’s so cozy you might just find yourself not wanting to get up!

Spend the remaining time until dinner, chilling out with a cup of tea or reading a book at Keiryu-BASE. The library features nearly 100 books selected by the activity staff, and is available 24/7. The collection covers a range of genres, with a focus on Aomori and the Tohoku region, as well as the nature of Oirase.

On nice weather days, we highly recommend checking out the Seseragi Deck. Simply emptying your mind and gazing out at the scenery of the great outdoors can be a refreshing experience for the soul!

There’s also an impressive 8.5-meter-wide Moss Art Wall at Keiryu-BASE, which guests are free to see up close and touch for themselves!

Now it’s time for the long-awaited dinner, served at buffet restaurant Aomori Apple Kitchen. Here, you can indulge in exquisite cuisine centered around apples. The restaurant is a true apple paradise, with apple-themed decor both inside and out! It is complete with apple-themed works made from Tsugaru-biidoro, a traditional Aomori craft, adorning the ceiling.

The menu features plenty of apple dishes that you’ve likely never tried before. It’s the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to an all-out apple feast!

All the dishes here feature apples, with classic options like apple juice (available in a range of flavors from different apple varieties), apple and carrot rapé, and freshly made apple pie. There are also a number of more novel creations like creamy apple and chicken, apple and tomato caprese, apple potato salad, apple and shrimp with mayo, apple and salmon appetizers, and even a cold pasta dish with apples, which was a new experience in itself!

Amongst these, the creamed apple and chicken stood out as a favorite, blending the flavor of apples with a texture and taste similar to vegetables, for a fresh, new taste experience!

In addition to apple-themed dishes, there’s also a wide selection of Aomori local specialties. Local favorites include squid menchi (a regional soul food), nokkedon (a bowl of rice topped with seafood), freshly fried scallops, and fried tuna and gobo with tartar sauce, all of which offer a taste of the local culinary scene.

As a fan of the local Aomori dish, senbei soup, I also made sure to enjoy a hearty helping to round out the meal!

One must-try after-dinner activity is Keiryu Discovery, available only to hotel guests. This lecture series takes place in the Keiryu-BASE library, where a Keiryu concierge specialist provides daily talks about the features and characteristics of Oirase Keiryu. You’ll learn all about what to do in every season, and get tips to make the most of your exploration on the following day.

Our guide, with their extensive knowledge of Oirase, provided all kinds of insider information. For example, how it’s recommended to explore Oirase by walking upstream against the flow. And how Oirase is also the only national park in Japan located along a national highway, making it a rare and valuable area offering untouched nature just a short walk away. They also suggested other must-see attractions, including Ishikedo, Ashura no Nagare, Kumoino Falls, and Choshi Otaki, four of Japan’s major scenic spots. Our guide also taught us the best practices to capture the gorge and moss with your smartphone, providing valuable insights for your walk on the following day.

Bring your day to a close with a soak in the Keiryu Open-Air Bath. Just because it’s dark outside doesn’t make it any less enjoyable! A soak in the spring surrounded by the soothing sounds of the stream is truly delightful! The bath opens early at 5 AM, so if you’re an early bird who loves morning scenery and calming views of the water, a morning bath comes highly recommended. This serene space is surrounded by vibrant foliage—lush greens in the spring and summer, and brilliant reds and yellows in the fall!

In winter, the baths are transformed into "ice fall baths," inspired by the seasonal ice falls that are a traditional sight in Oirase Keiryu. This special experience offers wonderful views and is only available in the winter.

Breakfast at Aomori Apple Kitchen offers a delightful buffet experience just like the one you enjoyed for dinner, featuring a range of apple-themed and local Aomori dishes. There’s freshly squeezed apple juice, apple pancakes, freshly made omelets, fresh vegetables, and a selection of Western dishes.

For those preferring a Japanese-style breakfast, options include salmon roe and salmon rice bowls, miso-simmered mackerel, hijiki and root vegetable stew, and tofu. It’s a great way to fuel up for the day’s walks and e-bike adventures!

From May to October, guests can choose to enjoy a special Keiryu Terrace Breakfast, allowing you to enjoy your meal while overlooking the gorge, surrounded by the sounds of birds and flowing water, making for a great start to the day!

After checking out by 10 AM, you can leave your luggage behind and join the Moss Walk tour (starting at 10 AM). This fascinating activity is led by a professional guide, and allows you to look at the mosses up close with a magnifying glass. To get there, take the free Keiryu Shuttle to Kumoinotaki Falls, from where you’ll continue the walk on foot.

Our guide, Mr. Ito, used illustrations to explain the biology, characteristics, and other unique features of moss. His insights were truly insightful, revealing details we wouldn’t have picked up on our own.

The moss’s resilience and beauty is indeed inspiring, considering how they are able to thrive in nearly any kind of environment.

Following the Moss Walk, you can explore other spots of your choosing by e-bike. It’s an exciting ride that allows you to make the most of what you learned during the previous day's open-bus tour as well as the morning’s insightful walk.

The ideal route is a two-hour round trip to Kumoino Falls, the tour’s midpoint. The changing scenery between the river’s lower and middle reaches is an incredible sight to behold!

For more details about the Moss Walk and E-bikes, tap here!

The bus to JR Hachinohe Station departs from the Oirase Keiryu-kan bus stop at 4:42 PM, while the bus to JR Aomori Station/Shin-Aomori Station leaves at 3:42 PM. Be sure to arrive on time for your bus!

(Note: Departure times are as of July 2024.)

Also note that the timetable is scheduled for revision on September 1, 2024. From September 1 to November 18, 2024, reservations will be required for certain sections of the Oirase No. 21 (10 AM) and Oirase No. 23 (1:30 PM) departures from Hachinohe Station. Please check the official JR Bus Tohoku website for the latest updates and information.

・JR Bus Tohoku Official Site:
https://www.jrbustohoku.co.jp/en/
・A Unique Nature Experience | JR Bus Tohoku Co., Ltd.
https://www.jrbustohoku.co.jp/towadako-oirase/en/

While this article introduces a sample itinerary for a one-night stay, the truth is there’s so much more to explore! Oirase offers all kinds of exciting activities set in nature, such as at Lake Towada and Mt. Hakkoda. You may even want to venture a bit out of town to check out the Towada Museum of Contemporary Art, along with other architectural gems. Oirase is indeed the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with nature.

(With cooperation from:
Hoshino Resort Oirase Keiryu Hotel)