Day 1

JR Hachinohe Station

11:30 Hasshoku Center

Enjoy seasonal seafood at this popular and lively market

When you get off at Hachinohe Station, head first to the huge market where you can find all the delicacies of Hachinohe, one of the leading port cities in the Tohoku region. There are about 60 stores lined up selling seafood just landed at Hachinohe Port, as well as freshly picked vegetables and fruits, dried goods, sweets, and miscellaneous goods.
Our recommendation for lunch is Shichirinmura, where you can enjoy charcoal-grilled ingredients purchased on the market. You can enjoy scallops, shrimp, squid, oysters, and other seafood from all seasons, as well as beef, cooked to your liking. After paying the admission fee first and securing a seat, you can wander around the market looking for ingredients. The fresh seafood on display at the fish store can be overwhelming, but if you can't decide, ask the shop staff for recommendations. When you shop, tell Shichirinmura that you plan to grill the ingredients at Shichirinmura, and they will cut them up for you so that they are easier to grill.

13:50 JR Hachinohe Station

15: Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts

A luxurious resort stay by the mountain stream

The hotel, located along the Oirase Stream, has a concept of "slow life by the stream." A relaxing stay awaits, with Restaurant, Guest room, hot spring, and other facilities overlooking the beautiful stream. There are also plenty of Activity to enjoy in the great outdoors, and the natural beauty of the four seasons is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Mountain stream Japanese-style room Outdoor hot spring terrace

The charm of Guest room facing the mountain stream is that you can feel close to nature. We recommend the Japanese-style rooms with terraces and Outdoor hot spring overlooking the mountain stream, and the "Mountain Stream Rolling Chair" is available by the window to lie down on. You can enjoy the seasonal nature from all around, and spend a luxurious time.

16:00 East Hall Lobby Forest Myth West Hall Lounge River God

Enjoy a relaxing time around the fireplace

After taking a break, we went to explore the hotel. The large fireplace "Myth of the Forest" that greeted us in the lobby was created by artist Taro Okamoto. We can enjoy coffee or apple tea in a space where art and nature are in harmony. The large fireplace "Kawagami" in the lounge is also created by the same artist, and there is also a library corner.

17:00 Mountain stream Outdoor hot spring

Refresh yourself in the "Mountain Stream Outdoor hot spring" surrounded by nature

Before dinner, soothe your travel fatigue in Outdoor hot spring overlooking the mountain stream. While admiring the vibrant greenery and colorful autumn leaves, you can enjoy the gentle hot hot spring that springs from Mt. Hakkoda. In winter, a frozen waterfall called "Hyobaku" appears in Outdoor hot spring.

18:30 Buffet Restaurant "Aomori Apple Kitchen"

Experience the bounty of Aomori with an all-apple buffet

Aomori Prefecture is the number one producer of apples in Japan. The buffet Restaurant offers a variety of creative apple dishes. Enjoy freshly made dishes such as roast beef in the live kitchen. The hot apple pie with soft serve ice cream will melt your body and soul.

20:00 Lounge Kawakami

Learn about the charms of the Oirase Gorge at the "Forest School"

To prepare for your walk along the Oirase Gorge the next day, we recommend participating in the "Forest School" held in the lounge. Local nature guides will introduce the origins of the Oirase Gorge and recommended walking routes. Learning about the charms of the area will make your walk even more enjoyable.

Day 2

07:00 Buffet Restaurant "Aomori Apple Kitchen"

Recharge with our specialty menu before Activity

At the breakfast buffet, you can wake up with freshly squeezed apple juice. We recommend the fluffy omelettes made in the live kitchen and the morning ramen with the rich flavor of scallops and kelp. The "apple pancakes" are also a refreshing dish with apple compote and sauce.

11:00 Mountain stream open bus tour

Rediscover the beauty of nature on an open-top bus

In the morning, we took part in an open-top bus tour that took us around the 14km long Oirase Gorge in a short time. The double-decker bus has no roof, so it feels very open. The scent of the trees, the murmuring of the stream, and the chirping of wild birds carry us on the wind. We can experience nature from a different perspective than on foot.

13:00 Restaurant Yasumiya

The freshly baked fish is delicious. The specialty is "Lake Towada Himemasu"

After returning from the bus tour, we headed to Lake Towada, the source of the Oirase Stream. This restaurant on the lakeside is popular for its local cuisine from both Aomori and Akita prefectures, such as dishes using Himemasu, a Lake Towada specialty, and Kiritanpo nabe. Himemasu is a freshwater fish of the salmon family, and as its name "Hime" suggests, it is characterized by its beautiful appearance and color. Himemasu were successfully farmed during the Meiji period, and are now a local brand known as "Lake Towada Himemasu."
The most recommended dish is the "Yasumi-ya Gozen" which includes specialties from both prefectures. The salt-grilled Himemasu salmon is not too strong, and the elegant flavor and sweetness of the fat fill your mouth. The kiritanpo made with Akitakomachi rice is irresistible with its chewy texture and the soup made from the Hinai Jidori chicken that has been absorbed into it.

14:40 Lake Towada sightseeing boat (circumnavigation course)

The huge rock cliffs are very impressive! Enjoy the natural beauty of the four seasons from the lake

Lake Towada, which straddles Aomori and Akita prefectures, is a caldera lake formed by a volcanic eruption and has a maximum depth of about 327m. The clear blue lake surface reflects the fresh greenery and autumn leaves like a mirror, making it one of Japan's most scenic spots.
When it comes to leisure activities at Lake Towada, the first thing that comes to mind is a sightseeing boat. Course A (one-way course) runs between Yasumiya, the central tourist area of Lake Towada, and Nenokuchi, the entrance to the Oirase Stream. Course B (round trip course) departs from Yasumiya and travels around the Nakayama Peninsula and Lake Naka. Both courses take about 50 minutes, and only a sightseeing boat can offer the opportunity to enjoy numerous viewpoints up close, including the 220m-high giant rock wall Senjomaku. You will be amazed by the untouched, spectacular scenery created by nature.

15:40 Lake Towada Marine Blue

Take a break with the beautiful lake view and the famous apple pie

After the sightseeing boat, take a break at the lakeside cafe. Located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, this cafe is known for its "handmade apple pie." The apples used for the filling are mainly Fuji apples, carefully selected from within the prefecture. The pie is filled with plenty of large cut apples, and does not contain cinnamon, so you can enjoy the natural sweetness and sourness of the apples. The apple pie, which was created after much trial and error in the selection of ingredients and baking method, has now become a specialty of Lake Towada. You can eat in or take it out.
Another recommended item is the "homemade apple sorbet" made with apple syrup and lemon juice. If the weather is nice, be sure to head to the terrace. The apple sweets you can enjoy in this excellent location are exceptional.

17:00 Mountain stream Outdoor hot spring

Relax in Outdoor hot spring after leisure activities

Outdoor hot spring overlooking the mountain stream is a great way to soothe your tired body and mind. Let yourself be soaked in the soft waters of the simple hot spring, and your body and mind will be loosened. If you plan on getting up early the next day, we recommend a morning bath. You can enjoy bathing while the morning mist envelops the mountain stream, and the sounds of the murmuring stream and the chirping of wild birds echo.

18:30 French Restaurant "Sonore"

A superb dinner where beautiful scenery, delicious food, and fine wine come together

Dinner begins with an aperitif, where you can enjoy aperitifs and amuse-bouches on the terrace along the mountain stream. In the dining area, sophisticated modern French cuisine is presented one after another, making the most of the ingredients. The restaurant also offers a selection of fine wines from around the world, which you can enjoy pairing with the food.

20:30 Stargazing

Be moved by the starry sky. Seasonal stargazing

The area around the hotel, with its clear air and little lighting, is the perfect place for stargazing. At the stargazing event held in a square just a five-minute walk from the hotel, a guide will lead you through the seasonal starry sky. Why not take a moment to contemplate the Milky Way and constellations under the star-filled sky that seems to shower you with stars?

Day 3

08:30 Keiryu Terrace

A morning where the forest and stream sparkle. A breakfast to be enjoyed with all five senses.

On the final day, we had breakfast on the mountain stream terrace, where we had enjoyed an aperitif the previous night. When we opened the special box, which was designed to resemble an apple crate, we were greeted by a colorful assortment of sandwiches, salads, fruits, and more. We enjoyed the view of the mountain stream sparkling in the morning sun and the feeling of a picnic.

09:00 Moss walk

Welcome to the mysterious microscopic world of moss

About 300 kinds of moss grow naturally in the Oirase Gorge. The "Moss Walk" is a 1km walk along the midstream path with a nature guide, observing the moss. The moss seen through a magnifying glass is surprisingly unique. When sprayed with water, the leaves spread out vividly and shine a vivid green.

12:00 Check out of Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts

12:05 Stone oven pizza Ortolana

Authentic pizza topped with local produce and freshly picked vegetables

Returning from our moss walk, we checked out and left our luggage at Front desk. We then headed to a popular stone oven pizza restaurant near the hotel. The authentic pizza baked in a high-temperature stone oven has an exquisite crispy crust and juicy toppings, and the subtle aroma of the wood is sure to whet your appetite. There is a diverse lineup of pizzas, including "Ortolana," which is topped with plenty of seasonal vegetables, and "Yam and Garlic Pizza," which is topped with Aomori specialties. But the pizza isn't the only highlight. The vegetables, which are sourced directly from farmers within the prefecture, are juicy and you can enjoy the flavor and umami of the ingredients.
It is open as a buffet from late April to mid-November, and as an order-only service at other times. At the buffet you can enjoy pizza, vegetables, curry, gratin, drinks, and more.

13:00 West Wing "Experience Space"

Create memories with the "Oirase Lamp Making Experience"

Returning to the hotel, we participated in the "Oirase Lamp Making Experience." You can make your own original lamp by drilling a hole in a gourd. The design motif is the unique moss that we encountered on our moss walk. When you turn on the lamp, it creates a fantastical and warm space.