If you are looking for unspoilt nature and unique natural formations, Aomori in northern Japan is a great destination. The Oirase river, Lake Towada, and the Juniko 12 lakes are all wonderful places to check out.
Lake Towada
Lake Towada is part of the Towada-Hachimantai National Park at the top of a 400-meter-high mountain on the border between Aomori and Akita.
The lake is a dual crater lake that was formed by the caving in of a volcano mouth that was formed by a giant eruption. With a depth of 327 meters, the lake is the third deepest in Japan and the largest caldera lake on Honshu. The water is so translucent that you can see the bottom up to 10 meters deep.
Lake Towada reflects the four seasons in its clear blue water accentuated by the fresh green of spring, autumn leaves, and the snow in winter, giving the lake a mysterious beauty. There are observation points set up around the lake, so you can enjoy the lake’s appearance from different angles.
Seeing the lake from a boat lets you view a different kind of beauty than the view can be seen from the lakeshore.
Oirase River
The Oirase-gawa river flows from Lake Towada-ko, and the 14-kilometer source section between Nenokuchi and Yakeyama is called the Oirase Mountain Stream. It runs through a virgin forest rich in variety, containing white cedar trees, Japanese beech, and maple trees. Along with Lake Towada-ko, the river has been designated as a special scenic spot and a natural monument of Aomori.
If you walk along the banks of the stream, you can see the beauty of nature from close-up. Such as dense green vegetation, ripples in the river, and rocks poking above the water covered with plants and moss.
Juniko: The 12 Lakes
Lake Juniko, a mysterious lake in the northwestern foothills of the Shirakami Mountains, is surrounded by a dense beech forest. Lake Juniko actually consists of a group of 33 lakes and marshes. Among them, Ao-ike Pond is particularly beautiful and fascinates visitors with its mysterious cobalt blue water.
Mt Iwaki
Mt. Iwaki, the highest mountain in Aomori, has been treated as a sacred place. And it has served as the symbol of Tsugaru since ancient times. If you visit the mountain that watches over the people of Tsugaru, you feel surely feel the spirit of Tsugaru.
Often called “The Mt. Fuji of Tsugaru,” Mt. Iwaki is a volcano with an altitude of 1,625 meters. It is the highest mountain in Aomori.
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