• Where does this Oirase Gorge autumn day trip from Aomori go?

The tour leaves from JR Aomori Station and links three of Aomori's autumn-leaf
spots in one day: Oirase Gorge, Lake Towada, and Hirosaki Park, with a guide
traveling with you throughout. In early and mid-October, depending on the
foliage, the route may first stop around Sukayu Onsen or Jigokunuma Pond in
the Hakkoda Mountains before heading down to the gorge; from late October it
goes straight to Oirase Gorge. Admission to the Hirosaki Castle grounds is
included, and you can add a visit to Tsugaru-han Neputa Village at the last
stop.

• What can you see at Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada?

  
  

  • Oirase Gorge: a 14 km stream that flows out of Lake Towada through Towada-Hachimantai National Park, designated a national scenic spot and natural monument. You walk a section of the riverside trail with the guide, past waterfalls such as Choshi Otaki Waterfall and moss-covered rocks under red and yellow leaves. Parking along the gorge is restricted, so the walk covers part of the trail rather than the full length.

    
    

  • Lake Towada: a double caldera lake on the Aomori–Akita border, formed by volcanic activity about 200,000 years ago, with forested slopes that turn red and gold in autumn and observation points along the shore. You have about 90 minutes here for a lakeside walk and lunch at your own expense at one of the restaurants near the lake.

    
    
  
  

• What is there to do at Hirosaki Park and Tsugaru-han Neputa Village?

  
  

  • Hirosaki Park: one of Japan's Top 100 cherry blossom spots, and in autumn its maple trees form a tunnel of color around the moats and the red bridge of Hirosaki Castle, whose keep is an Important Cultural Property. Admission to the castle grounds (Honmaru and Kita-no-kuruwa; the botanical garden is not included) is covered, with about 90 minutes to walk the park.

    
    

  • Tsugaru-han Neputa Village (optional): the tour vehicle parks here, next to the park. Inside are the painted floats of the Hirosaki Neputa Festival, held every August, along with live Tsugaru shamisen performances. Entry is at your own expense.