1. Oirase Gorge – Waterfalls Frozen in Time! (Aomori)
Flowing 14-kilometers through the thick wilderness of Aomori’s Towada region, Oirase Gorge is a dynamic mountain stream of powerful rapids boasting 14 waterfalls!
During winter, the surrounding boulders and trees are engulfed by thick snowfall, creating a spectacular frozen landscape that looks like a painting!
The cold is so powerful that, between mid-January and early March, many of the small waterfalls and streams will freeze in place, making it appear as if time itself has escaped for the winter.
Regular bus service is suspended between mid-November and February, so visitors will need to book a special JR ‘Fuyu no Oirase-go’ bus from Hachinohe Station.