Oirase-kyokoku (Oirase [oh- ee-ra-seh[cb] Gorge)

Oirase-kyokoku (Oirase [oh- ee-ra-seh[cb] Gorge) Review

An excellent choice for a walk—if a bit crowded—is this gorge northeast of the lake at Nenokuchi. The carefully tended trail to the gorge follows the stream for a total of 9 km (5½ mi; about two hours, 40 minutes). A two-lane road parallels the river, and you can catch buses at intervals of about 2 km (1 mi). Buses go north to Aomori and south to Nenokuchi and Yasumi-ya. Though very popular with tour groups, especially in fall, this does take you through one of the most pristine areas of Tohoku. Be prepared for cold mist or rain, take a map of the river and bus stops, and find out the bus schedule before you start out.