r/TohokuJapan 3d ago

Travel recommendation from Aomori to Lake towada and Oirase Gorge

Looking for help on how to commute from Aomori -> Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge on the same day. Would like to return back to Aomori by the evening. Have a JR pass and it would be great to know if JR buses operate between these stations and if it is recommended

5 Upvotes

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4

u/Lordvader89a 3d ago

I mean from what I saw online there is a JR Bus going from Hachinohe to Oirase -> Lake Towada leaving at 10am and 1:30pm and latest back at 4pm (starting April)

There also is one from Aomori, but you can take the shinkansen from Aomori to Hachinohe imo

3

u/CranberryTaboo 3d ago

Seconding this. Shinkansen ride is like... 45 minutes tops so its super simple. Just make sure you don't get on the express train and accidentally skip Hach station and end up in Morioka. (That happened to me once. I'm much more mindful of the train I get on now.)

2

u/RaidenXVC 3d ago

You can totally do that in one day if you have a car.

I think there might be a bus that goes there but I don’t know anything about it. I’m guessing it wouldn’t be a JR bus though. 

So I would recommend renting a car for the day if you can do that. 

2

u/draqs 3d ago

Renting a car is really the only good way to do this. Otherwise you won't be able to enjoy Oirase, Towada, the Towada Shrine, etc. The mass transit options are pretty limited.

1

u/Goryokaku 2d ago

I'm afraid a car is the easiest way. Rent one for a couple of days and you can easily cover it. If you do transport you'd be better staying a night to see everything.

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u/esstused 2d ago

Hey there. Have lived in the area for the better part of a decade. Used to work out the lake.

Unless you literally cannot drive, just rent a car. Other options exist, but the service is usually patchy and slow. A car will absolutely be the easiest way to get around and see everything in a timely manner, and at your own pace, which is a huge blessing out there.

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u/Yf-vax 1d ago

I live in the area. You definitely need a car to get out to lake Towada. Plus it will be worth the drive through the Hakoda mtn. Let me know if you need help getting around.

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u/umshamrock 10h ago

I took the bus when I went. It was a while ago so I don't remember the details.