My wife and I first visited Oirase stream in Nov 2013. It was a bit of a last minute find on the google map and on trip advisor when planning a stay in lake Towada. As compared, November is a tad late to visit the stream as a large portion of the leaves have dropped, leaving the maples in their slightly off peak but full autumn colours. This time around, we timed the trip a week earlier and we were rewarded with nicer colours and a second visit also allowed us to discover the not so popular and correspondingly crowded segment of the stream in the opposite direct of the usual walking path towards lake Towada.

First things first. Getting there amd accommodations. Oirase stream starts from Lake Towada or Towadako and merges with the stream from Tsutanuma that is another hidden autumn holiday gem. The end of the Oirase stream 5km away from the Ishigedo(石ヶ戸) start point where the Oirase Tourist information centre is located is littered with hotels but they must be booked early as they do run out very fast. Alternatively, stay at lake Towada that features a bus terminal and regular buses to Oirase stream. These buses use Oirase stream as a passage to get to Aomori, Kuroshi and Hirosaki. The bus terminal also sell the day pass that allows one to hop on and off the bus along the various bus stops along the road adjacent to the stream. Find out more from the tourist information centre at lake towada. Staying in the nearby towns or cities and taking a bus there isn't recommended by myself as it takes 2 days or at least 4 hours to enjoy the stream and the autumn atmosphere. Anything less is akin to following mass tour group that is touch and go. Personally, i would suggest that for the first time visiting Oirase, to do the 9.1km stream walk which can be done in under 3 hours with some photo (will take another 1.5 hours for photograph buffs doing long exposure photography) taking in between.

The typical start point is the Ishigedo bus stop that spots hot food that you can buy coupons of the vending machine, pass to the stall and they will cook what you ordered. Typically some basic soup ramen or finger food. The food outlet gets very crowded after 10am. This start point also spot a huge toilet and is the only big toilet for the next 9.1km although there is one more toilet along the stream a few kilometers from Ishigedo. I once wrote my 2013 journey in my blog which also added my photography experiences. Its a tad too long tp speak about all the details here so you can google and visit my blog to read more about trekking, enjoying autumn and photography on Oirase stream. The title is The Enchanted Stream - Oirase Stream

Point to mention is that the stream paths are constantly wet so covered shoes or trekking sandals are recommended to prevent any slip and fall. The trekking or walking path that completes the Oirase stream also crisscross the road that cuts through the valley a few times so do watch out for traffic when crossing the road or walking along parts of the stream adjacent to traffic.

An alternative to walking or hoping on and off the buses is to cycle or drive. One can hire bicycles from the stores or hotels at the end of the stream that is well beyond Ishigedo, about 5 kilometers away. This time around, we decided to drive and stop by certain scenic spots along the stream to check out the autumn colours and take some photos. When driving and stopping alongside the road, do be considerate of traffic, park safely such that one does not obstruct the road as there is only one lane each to and fro that curves and wrap around the stream.

Do take note that when the official peak autumn colours are announced, the roads could be off limits to large sized or even all private vehicles as the human traffic walking the stream swell. During this time, the only way to visit the stream is by the public buses that are designated to shuttle visitors along the stream. Such buses are available at the lake Towada bus terminal. For more details like bus frequency, check out the tourist information centre when there. In 2018, the announced peak period was between 25-28 October. We visited the stream on the 24th of Oct and the photos are posted to show the enchanted colours and some splendours of the stream in our 5 hour photogeaphy adventure at the stream.

The Oirase stream is definitely a place to visit for Autumn in japan, at least once in a life time. We have already been there twice and would be planning to go again.

We drove along this route to and from our hotel in Lake Towada. It is indeed just as beautiful as described but to us the crowds robbed it of any real value. Be aware that in the Autumn Peak the road is closed from 10am until 3pm weekdays and from 9am until later on the weekends to cars and motorcycles. During the hours you can access it in a car the combination of a myriad of tour buses with Japanese drivers with their penchant for parking and leaving vehicles on the roadway to view sights make the journey a madhouse. As good as it is I would advise putting it in the too hard basket as one of the Japanese locations that should be left to tour groups and find the equally beautiful places that are there if you look. Out of peak season it will still be beautiful as it recovers from the abuse of the hordes.

The 14 KM long Oirase Stream provides visitors a beautiful venue for walking particularly during autumn months. The views along the stream are breathtaking with colorful trees as background for photo-taking. Most visitors will not stroll along the whole stream because of time constraints. Hop on and off the bus along the stream might be an alternative to select the most beautiful sections for viewing but bear in mind to go through the time table for bus schedule. Highly recommended.