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Attractive installation spots in the Aomori area

Attractive installation spots in the Aomori area

2024-03-13 Management office

Aomori is the northernmost prefecture in Honshu. Many people may think of Hokkaido across the sea when it comes to northern sightseeing destinations, but Aomori Prefecture also has a number of very attractive landscapes that should not be missed. The natural beauty fostered by the harsh environment with widely varying temperatures is particularly noteworthy, and you will not be able to resist pointing your camera at it. In this issue, we would like to introduce six of the most recommended Instagram-worthy spots in Aomori Prefecture.
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The Oirase Stream "is listed as one of the best healing spots in Japan. " It is a well-known tourist attraction that has been awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide. The Oirase River flows 14 kilometers from Lake Towada. You will find spectacular views along the way that are sure to be Instagram-worthy.



Together with Lake Towada, the Oirase Stream, which makes up "Towada-Hachimantai National Park ", is a scenic spot where you can feel the changes of the four seasons with your whole body. Each season has its own beauty, but it is especially popular during the season of fresh green leaves from mid-May to mid-June or the season of autumn leaves from mid-October to the end of October.



One of the attractions of the Oirase Keiryu is the beautiful flow of the Oirase River itself. The abundance of waterfalls along the clear stream, including Choshi Otaki Falls and Kudan Falls, is so great that it is called the "Waterfall Road ". The beauty of nature is concentrated in the changing expression of the water surface as it glistens in the sunlight through the trees, and in the moss-covered rocks and leaves on the trees.



The charm of the Oirase Keiryu is that it is a very natural spot, yet it is also an easy place to stroll. National Route 102 runs alongside the stream, making it extremely accessible. If you own your own car, you can easily visit the area and get into nature in a jiffy. A particularly recommended way to explore the area is to rent a bicycle. Riding a bicycle through the forest in the clear air is a great way to experience the best of both worlds. Of course, if time permits, walking is an even better option to take your time and enjoy the scenery.

mountaineer



In the center of the Shimokita Peninsula, located at the northernmost tip of Honshu, is Mount Osorezan, which is famous throughout Japan as a sacred site. Although many people may have an image of Osorezan as a mountain where the dead gather, it is actually a place where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery that is sure to be Instagram-worthy. It is a scenic tourist spot that attracts many visitors.



Osorezan is a famous mountain that is named as one of the three most sacred mountains in Japan along with Hieizan and Koyasan in the western Japan area. Local people have long had a legend that "people go to Osorezan when they die ". Therefore, "Osorezan Bodai-ji Temple "is the base for the annual festivals "Osorezan Grand Festival "and "Osorezan Autumn Pilgrimage ", which attract many people from all over the country, especially during the festival season.



The main reason Osorezan is associated with the afterlife is the unique landscape of the Osorezan area, which seems isolated from the rest of the world. Crossing the Taiko Bridge over the Sanzu River, visitors enter a desolate space that evokes a sense of sadness. Visitors to this place may feel a great separation from the world in which they now live, and may be reminded of the deceased.



The reason for the unique landscape, which cannot be seen anywhere else, is that Mount Osorezan is a volcano that is believed to have erupted more than 10,000 years ago. The topography of the mountain's outer rim, created by volcanic activity, obstructs the view from the Osorezan area to the interior, resulting in changes to the ecosystem and other aspects of the environment. Although it is a volcano, it is a dormant volcano that does not warrant special attention, so there is little need to worry about it when visiting.



Fear Mountain, an inhospitable natural menace, has a number of eye-catching tourist spots. For example, the crystal clear Lake Uzori is impressive with its beautiful emerald green color, reminiscent of the beaches of Okinawa. It is one of the most spectacular sights in the area. However, it is also a place where carbon dioxide gas is generated, which is dangerous to the human body and requires caution. The Osorezan area is also home to many other scenic spots and hot spring facilities. Why not take the plunge and visit the Osorezan area?

Lake Towada



Lake Towada, renowned as one of Aomori's representative lakes, is a large lake that extends into neighboring Akita Prefecture. As mentioned slightly in the section on the Oirase Stream that flows out of it, the crucial lake is also an Instagram-worthy spot that should not be forgotten. This is another fascinating place where you can feel the threat and beauty of nature with your whole body, and should definitely be included in your travel plans when visiting Aomori.



In common with Mount Osorezan, Lake Towada is also a caldera lake created by volcanic activity. It is somewhat romantic to think that rainwater accumulated over a long period of time in a sunken volcano that originally had no water. Although not a particularly large lake in Japan, Lake Towada is notable for its depth. At its deepest point, it is approximately 327 meters, the third deepest in Japan.



Looking at the lake from the surrounding mountains, one can see the surface of the water reflecting everything, including the sky and mountains, like a very smooth mirror. The beauty of nature and the open panorama fascinate all who visit. It is truly a spot that deserves to be described as mysterious and beautiful. Depending on the season, canoeing and sightseeing boats are available for visitors to enjoy activities and excursions, and by choosing the right time of year to visit, visitors can enjoy the changes in scenery from season to season.

Twelve Lakes



In the Shirakami Sanchi, Japan's first World Heritage site, there is a particularly mysterious sight to be seen. This is the Twelve Lakes. The Twelve Lakes are a group of lakes and marshes that are said to have been created by the collapse of Kuzureyama (Mt. Kuzure) during the 1704 Noshiro Earthquake, which caused the river to be choked off. The actual number of lakes and marshes scattered among the beech forests is 33, but the name "Twelve Lakes" is derived from the fact that 12 lakes and marshes can be seen when viewed from Kuzuyama.



One particularly famous lake representing the Twelve Lakes is "Aoike ". As the name suggests, it is a blue pond, and its vivid blue color is as if blue ink had been poured into it. It is known for its clear coloration. The water quality is so clean and clear that fallen trees can be seen at the bottom of the pond. The blue color changes with the weather and the seasons, so you will see a different look every time you visit.



The lakes and marshes of the Twelve Lakes are impressive for their bright blue water, including Blue Pond and "Boiling Pool Pond ", but the exact reason why they emit blue color has not yet been clarified. Incidentally, it is known that "Blue Pond "in Biei-cho, Hokkaido, emits blue color due to substances mixed in the water. However, the water of Lake Juni-ko is very clean and its spring water is "selected as one of the best waters in Aomori Prefecture ". The water is a mystery whose principles have yet to be explained, which makes it all the more mysterious.



There are limited times of the year when the Twelve Lakes area can be entered, and walks can be enjoyed between April and November when the gates are open. The area attracts many visitors for trekking during the season of fresh green and autumn foliage. The main attraction of this area is that four therapy roads have been set up, allowing visitors to enjoy the great outdoors at their own pace according to their fitness and preferences.

Jogakura Bridge



In Towada-Hachimantai National Park, there are still many places where you can enjoy the charms of nature. One of them is the Jogakura Stream, which is a beautiful place with pristine nature and the Jogakura Bridge. This bridge is also a unique photo spot that has captured the hearts of many Instagram users.



The biggest point of the Jogakura Bridge is its unique structure and size. This bridge has a structure called "upper road arch bridge" in which the arch is located below the road section. It is Japan's longest upper arch bridge, with an arch span of 255 meters and a total length of 360 meters, giving it a powerful sense of scale. The combination of dynamic nature and man-made structures is a valuable sight that is not often seen.



The bridge is in a great location, so there is no reason why the view from it should not be good as well. Looking down from the bridge, you can see the Jogakura Stream. If you look far away, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Hakkoda mountain range, Aomori City, and Mt. The autumn foliage season is especially beautiful, and it is refreshing to be surrounded by the brightly colored mountains.

Sannai-Maruyama Site

Although Japan boasts a long history, there are not many opportunities to see ruins, especially from the old Jomon period. The "Sannai-Maruyama Ruins "in Aomori Prefecture is one of the few such sites and is now registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Why not experience this space with its extraordinary scenery?

Within the site of the ruins are a number of valuable relics that tell the story of the lives of people in the Jomon period up to the present day. For example, there are pit dwelling sites, earthenware, clay figures, etc., which one only sees in history textbooks. Even if you can't get a good sense of these things from just looking at pictures on a screen or in a book, you will surely find them interesting once you see them in person and listen to the explanations. You will feel as if you have stepped back in time.

summary

These are the six most attractive installation spots in the Aomori Prefecture area. What they all have in common is their magnificent and abundant nature. You can catch a glimpse of the mysterious forests that stretch to the far north. When you need to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and refresh yourself, please remember Aomori Prefecture.

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