Two years ago I visited Tohoku Region along western part of Japan Sea, Juniko 12 Lakes and UNESCO Shirakami Sanchi, but Oirase Gorge didn't make it on my journey till this year. Summer in Japan is extremely hot and humid, on top of it we ran into the peak travel season for the Japanese, and we chose Oirase Gorge, one of the most visited attractions in Tohoku Region. There were steady flows of day trippers came by tourist buses or cars. Some parked along sides of narrow roads nearby the popular waterfalls and streams; causing chaotic traffic jams where walkers must cross the roads to connect the walking path on the other side. When autumn foliage begins to change the colors; Oirase Gorge, Towada Lake, Mt. Hachimantai and Mt. Hakkoda National Parks all are going to be very crowded by the visitors. My advise is to plan your routes first and start out early on the day to beat the traffic and crowds.

If you rely on public transportation, the Tohoko Regional Pass(only for foreign visitors, allow 5 non-consecutive days use of JR East transportation during 14 days period for 19,000 yens) covers the JR bus ride between Shin-Aomori; Aomori(East Exit Bus Stop #1) and Towada Lake(bus name Mizuumi-go) or Hachinohe(West Exit JR Bus Stop #1) and Towada Lake(bus name Oirase-go). These two routes becomes one at Yakeyama Bus Stop and then all traffic journey through 14 km route along Oirase Stream; last/beginning stop at Lakeside Yasumiya Stop; bus journey takes 2 hrs. 45 min from Aomori, or 2 hrs. 15 min. from Hachinohe. The scenic nature walks along the stream's wooden/dirt paths, bring to you the cool shades of forest greenery; moss covered rocks dotted besides the white rushing water, the sounds of currents and curtain like waterfalls roaring in the air while thin threads of waterfalls quietly making their ways to the earth. What an excellent journey to appreciate nature's beauty through sensory explorations.

Along the stream there are several waterfalls and streams. Some are more popular than the other. The length of flow between Yakeyama and Nenokuchi(also serves as boat docking for lake cruising) is about 14 km. JR buses make 8 stops along the Stream. The most visited waterfalls are the curtain-like Choshi-Otaki, the widest waterfalls to the west of the route; Kumoinotaki, the tallest waterfalls in the middle of the route. Oirase's iconic current is Ashuranonagare Current that runs through moss covered rocks and boulders with roaring sounds and speeds, is nearby Makadoiwa Bus Stop. There are large boulders situated along the forest's paths-the Makado Rock takes the center space on the roadside.

Since we only stayed for one night in a hotel by Towada Lake and later moved on to Mt. Hakkoda's Tsuta Onsen National Park for another 2 nights we had planned two days to complete the hiking journey. We started out from mid-point of Oirase at JR bus stop Makadoiwa and then walked backward toward Lake Towada, hopped/on /off bus at some points toward Lake Towada. The reason I did so was the weather forecasting rain the next three days and that most of the popular waterfalls and currents are congregated between Nenoguchi and Makado Rock. So it was important that at least we had chances to see the top attractions on this route. There are fewer waterfalls and currents that are worthy of mention between Makado Rock Bus Stop and Yakeyama Bus Stop. It is possible to walk/hike the whole length along the stream(approx. 5 hrs. without take time sightseeing) and take JR bus back to the starting point in one day if you start early and plan well with the bus schedules; but you can't drag your luggage along on the walking path from beginning of the route to your final stop. So we stored our luggage after checked out of hotel, then got on the first morning JR Bus to Makado Rock, then began our trail hiking halfway back to Lake Towada. We picked up our luggage and got on Aomori bound bus to Tsuta Onsen. Unfortunately rained for the next two day we didn't have chance to visit the route from Makado Rock to Yakeyama.

It’s pretty peaceful to walk along the stream, and enjoy the nature. But, the scenery is quite similar. We were also worried about encountering a bear.