'''Towada-Hachimantai National Park''' (_\_a_c______________) [http://www.biodic.go.jp/english/jpark/np/towada_e.html] is a large national park in the Tohoku region of Japan, straddling the prefectures of Akita, Aomori and Iwate. Famously scenic, the park encompasses '''Lake Towada''' (Japan's deepest), the '''Oirase Valley''' (famous for its fall colors), the '''Hakkoda''' mountain range and the plateau of '''Hachimantai'''.

Understand

History

Landscape

Flora and fauna

Climate

The winter in the northern mountains is harsh, and virtually all transport, accommodations etc are shut down between November and April.

Get in

Towada-Hachimantai National Park covers a very large area, and can be tackled from a number of different directions.

For access to the northern side of the park (Lake Towada, the Oirase Valley, Hakkoda Mountains, Sukayu Onsen), the nearest major city is Aomori, from where you can take buses (1-2 hours). There are also direct buses from Hachinohe and Morioka (both 2.5 hours).

For access to the central areas of the park, the JR Hanawa Line (______) crosses the northern side of the Hachimantai Plateau, traveling from Odate in the west to Koma in the east, with through services on the private Iwate Ginga Railway (IGR___________S__) to Morioka. Note that the IGR is ''not'' covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

For the southernmost parts of the part, the JR Tazawako Line (_c______) travels along the south edge of the Hachimantai Plateau, from Morioka to Daisen.

Fees/Permits

Get around

See

  • Lake Towada (_\_a_c__ ''Towada-ko'') is Japan's largest volcanic caldera lake and also the country's deepest lake. The area nearby is dotted with dense forests and waterfalls, and is the top tourist draw in all Tohoku.
  • The Oirase River (________ ''Oirase-gawa'') drains out of Lake Towada. The upper reaches, known as literally as the Oirase Stream (_______k__ ''Oirase-keiryu'') or as the Oirase Gorge, are famously scenic.
  • Hachimantai Plateau (______) is located south of Lake Towada and bridges the central areas of Akita prefecture and Iwate prefecture. It is an area of ancient volcanic activity, and the entire plateau is dotted with boiling mud pools, steam and smoke vents and hot springs.
  • Do

    There are countless '''hot springs''' in the park, especially on Hachimantai Plateau. The best known include '''Sukayu Onsen''' (__________), '''Goshogake Onsen''' (_____|____) and '''Toshichi Onsen''' (________)

    Buy

    Eat

    Drink

    Sleep

    Lodging

    Camping

    Backcountry

    Stay safe

    Get out