Aomori prefecture is in the northernmost part of the main island.
It is far away from Tokyo and only few foreign tourist visit there yet, but this place has a lot of charms.
Beautiful mountains, clear lake and river, quaint hot springs and traditional festival...
Good old japanese landscapes still remain untouched.
Nebuta Festivals
Every summer, unique festivals are hold at some cities at Aomori prefecture and there are filles with excitement.
These festivals are called "Nebuta" or "Neputa"and residents make the parade with many festival cars at night.
Aomori Nebuta festival is hold at Aomori city on the night of every Aug.2~7.
Tachi-Neputa festival is hold at Goshogawara city on the night of every Aug. 4~8.
A lot of people dances and marches on streets with powerful and dynamic human-shaped floats.
These festival cars are made with paper and inspired by histrical or legend figures.
One of the biggest and most famous Nebuta festival is hold at Aomori city.
However, not only Aomori city, but also various unique Nebuta/Neputa festivals are hold at each cities in Aomori prefecture.
Nebuta museum
You miss the season of festival?
Don't warry, some floats are always displayed at Nebuta museum and you can fully feel the hot atmosphere of Nebuta festival!
Mt. Hakkoda is composed of 18 volcanos.
The steep road goes up to the mountain from Aomori city.
After enjoyind twisty road in the forest, the view opens up suddenly.
This is Kayano plateau and there are japanese style cafe and shop. Let's take a rest.
Mt. Hakkoda
Mt. Hakkoda is one of the heaviest snowfall areas in Japan and it is famous as the place of worst mountraineering disaster of Japan Army.
In 1902, Japan Army solders marched through the snow for winter training.
However, they got lost in blizzard and 199 solders was dead from cold.
A statue of Goto corporal, one of the few survivor of the disaster.
The rescue team found him standing in state of suspended animation.
Sukayu hot spring
Sukayu is one of the representitive hot spring in Japan.
Many people have came and stayed Sukayu hot spring to recover their health since 300 years ago.
It is famous for a bath as huge as 1000 people can take in.
Jigoku-numa(Hell pond)
This area was a crator in the past and hot spring and steam gush here and there.
This hot spring pond is 90 degrees and strongly acidic, so no living things can inhabit in the pond.
Manju-fukashi (Hot bench)
When you walk 100m from Jigoku-numa pond, you will find this bench beside river.
It is warmed with hot steam and effective for unwell of organs.
When you go through Sukayu, the view changes from forest to bush and alpine plant.
You are closer to the sky and the breathtaking scenery of Hakkoda mountains spreads out.
The road goes up until the peak of 1020m altitude.
After the peak, you go down the thrilling hairpin turns, then both sides of the road will be covered with forest again.
Oirase Gorge
Oirase river is one of the most beautiful river in Japan.
The highlight of the river is Oirase Gorge which starts from Lake Towada for 14km.
Old-growth forests, lush green moss and clear stream heal the heart of visitors.
Ishigedo rest area
Let's park your motorcycle at Ishigedo rest area.
Ishigedo rest area is the best start point and it has a small cafe and toilet.
If you want to go for a stroll in Oirase Gorge,
There is a pathway along the gorge. It is easy to walk and the peaceful stream flows right next to you.
Sunlight is filtered through by fresh green leaves and it shines on undergrowth.
When you take a deep breath during listening to babbling of the stream, you will deeply calm down and feel fulfilled.
Lake Towada
Lake Towada is clear and silent lake surrounded by mountains.
It is very beautiful that the surface of the lake displays red and yellow leaves in autumn.
This lake was once a huge volcano.
The volcano erupted several times for hundreds thousands years and threw up a lot of burning lava.
After the eruption, the volcano caved in and Towada lake was born.
Oirase Gorge was made by a huge flood from Towada lake 15,000 years ago.
You can watch cliffs and huge stones which shaved or carried away by the flood in Oirase Gorge.
No fishes lived in this lake once because fishes cannot swim up waterfalls in Oirase Gorge.
However, a charitable person, Sadayuki Wainai brought chinook salmon from Hokkaido 100 years ago and he succeeded in growing after many year's effort.
Nowadays you can eat delicious chinock salmon dishes in some restaurants at the lake.