How to travel between Lake Towada and Tokyo
Buses to Lake Towada operate only from mid April to early November. During the winter months, access by public transportation is not provided.
By train (outside winter only)
Take a Hayabusa train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hachinohe (3 hours, about 16,000 yen, hourly departures, seat reservations required) and change to a JR bus bound for Towadako (135 minutes, 2,670 yen, 3-4 buses per day from mid April to early November, no service in winter). The bus makes stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on both shinkansen and the JR bus, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are only valid for the shinkansen.
By air (outside winter only)
JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. The flight takes around 85 minutes, and the regular fare is about 34,000 yen one way. Discount tickets are typically available for around 16,000 yen, and with an air pass you can fly for even less.
From the airport take a bus to Aomori Station (35 minutes, 700 yen), and transfer to a JR bus bound for Towadako, which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The one way bus ride takes about 2.5 hours and costs 3,090 yen. There are 6-7 departures per day from mid April to early November. During winter, bus service is only provided between Aomori and Mount Hakkoda (Sukayu Onsen). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR buses, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are not.
By car (around the year)
Many roads in the area around Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda get closed during winter (typically from late November to around April), including the road between Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda. However, Lake Towada remains accessible by car from Hachinohe via the Oirase Stream around the year. Likewise, the road from Aomori to Mount Hakkoda remains open around the year. Winter driving skills are required during the winter months. Car rental outlets can be found at Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori Station.
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How to travel between Lake Towada and Osaka
Buses to Lake Towada operate only from mid April to early November. During the winter months, access by public transportation is not provided.
By air and bus (outside winter only)
JAL operates a few flights per day between Osaka's Itami Airport and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 95 minutes, and the regular fare is about 41,000 yen one way. Discount tickets are typically available for between 16,000 to 32,000 yen, and with an air pass you can fly for even less.
From the airport take a bus to Aomori Station (35 minutes, 700 yen), and transfer to a JR bus bound for Towadako, which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating at Yasumiya. The one way bus ride takes about 2.5 hours and costs 3,090 yen. There are 6-7 departures per day from mid April to early November. During winter, bus service is only provided between Aomori and Mount Hakkoda (Sukayu Onsen). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR buses, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are not.
By train and bus (outside winter only)
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo Station (160-180 minutes, frequent departures) and transfer to a Hayabusa train on the Tohoku Shinkansen (3 hours, hourly departures, seat reservations required) to Hachinohe. The one way fare from Shin-Osaka to Hachinohe is about 26,000 yen.
At Hachinohe, change to a JR bus bound for Towadako (135 minutes, 2670 yen, 3-4 buses per day from mid April to early November, no service in winter), which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR bus and the shinkansen trains, except for Nozomi trains along the Tokaido Shinkansen.
By car (around the year)
Many roads in the area around Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda get closed during winter (typically from late November to around April), including the road between Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda. However, Lake Towada remains accessible by car from Hachinohe via the Oirase Stream around the year. Likewise, the road from Aomori to Mount Hakkoda remains open around the year. Winter driving skills are required during the winter months. Car rental outlets can be found at Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori Station.
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How to travel between Lake Towada and Kyoto
Buses to Lake Towada operate only from mid April to early November. During the winter months, access by public transportation is not provided.
By air (outside winter only)
JAL operates a few flights per day between Itami Airport near Kyoto and Aomori Airport. Flight duration is 95 minutes, and the regular fare is about 41,000 yen one way. Discount tickets are typically available for between 16,000 to 32,000 yen, and with an air pass you can fly for even less.
From the airport take a bus to Aomori Station (35 minutes, 700 yen), and transfer to a JR bus bound for Towadako, which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating at Yasumiya. The one way bus ride takes about 2.5 hours and costs 3,090 yen. There are 6-7 departures per day from mid April to early November. During winter, bus service is only provided between Aomori and Mount Hakkoda (Sukayu Onsen). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR buses, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are not.
By train (outside winter only)
Take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo (140-160 minutes, frequent departures) and transfer to a Hayabusa train on the Tohoku Shinkansen (3 hours, hourly departures, seat reservations required) to Hachinohe. The one way fare from Kyoto to Hachinohe is about 25,500 yen.
At Hachinohe, change to a JR bus bound for Towadako (135 minutes, 2670 yen, 3-4 buses per day from mid April to early November, no service in winter), which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR bus and the shinkansen trains, except for Nozomi trains along the Tokaido Shinkansen.
By car (around the year)
Many roads in the area around Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda get closed during winter (typically from late November to around April), including the road between Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda. However, Lake Towada remains accessible by car from Hachinohe via the Oirase Stream around the year. Likewise, the road from Aomori to Mount Hakkoda remains open around the year. Winter driving skills are required during the winter months. Car rental outlets can be found at Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori Station.
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How to travel between Lake Towada and Aomori
Buses from Aomori to Mount Hakkoda operate around the year; however, Lake Towada is not served by public transportation from early November to mid April. During the winter months, the direct road between Aomori and Lake Towada is closed, but it remains possible to access the lake by car from the direction of Hachinohe. Winter driving skills are required during the winter months.
By bus (outside winter only)
JR Tohoku Bus operates direct buses between Aomori Station, Shin-Aomori Station, Mount Hakkoda and Lake Towada, stopping along Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The one way ride takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes and costs 3,090 yen. There are about five departures per day from mid April to early November. During winter, bus service is only provided between Aomori and Mount Hakkoda (Sukayu Onsen). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR buses, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are not.
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How to travel between Lake Towada and Hachimantai
Direct public transportation between Lake Towada and Hachimantai does not exist. Instead, a detour via Morioka is required. A rental car makes a combined visit to Hachimantai and Lake Towada much easier, but note that many roads in the higher elevations get closed during winter.
By train and bus (outside of winter)
Take the JR bus from Lake Towada to Hachinohe (135 minutes, 2670 yen, 3-4 buses per day from mid April to early November, no service in winter) and then shinkansen trains via Morioka to Tazawako Station (2 hours, about 6000 yen, one connection per hour). The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are not valid on the JR bus between Lake Towada and Hachinohe. From Tazawako Station there are bus connections to Lake Tazawa, Nyuto Onsen and Tamagawa Onsen.
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How to travel between Lake Towada and Tokyo
Buses to Lake Towada operate only from mid April to early November. During the winter months, access by public transportation is not provided.
By train (outside winter only)
Take a Hayabusa train on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hachinohe (3 hours, about 16,000 yen, hourly departures, seat reservations required) and change to a JR bus bound for Towadako (135 minutes, 2,670 yen, 3-4 buses per day from mid April to early November, no service in winter). The bus makes stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on both shinkansen and the JR bus, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are only valid for the shinkansen.
By air (outside winter only)
JAL operates multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Aomori Airport. The flight takes around 85 minutes, and the regular fare is about 34,000 yen one way. Discount tickets are typically available for around 16,000 yen, and with an air pass you can fly for even less.
From the airport take a bus to Aomori Station (35 minutes, 700 yen), and transfer to a JR bus bound for Towadako, which stops along the Oirase Stream before terminating in Yasumiya. The one way bus ride takes about 2.5 hours and costs 3,090 yen. There are 6-7 departures per day from mid April to early November. During winter, bus service is only provided between Aomori and Mount Hakkoda (Sukayu Onsen). The Japan Rail Pass is valid on the JR buses, but the JR East Tohoku Area Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Pass are not.
By car (around the year)
Many roads in the area around Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda get closed during winter (typically from late November to around April), including the road between Lake Towada and Mount Hakkoda. However, Lake Towada remains accessible by car from Hachinohe via the Oirase Stream around the year. Likewise, the road from Aomori to Mount Hakkoda remains open around the year. Winter driving skills are required during the winter months. Car rental outlets can be found at Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori Station.
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