Explore Towada-Hachimantai National Park Highlights

2026-01-14

Towada-Hachimantai National Park is a large national park spanning Aomori, Akita, and Iwate Prefectures, and is known for its diverse natural landscapes. The park includes well-known scenic areas such as Lake Towada, the Oirase Stream, and the Hachimantai Plateau.

In addition to lakeside walks and streamside paths, the park features natural phenomena that can only be seen during specific periods. As major areas can be reached using public transportation, it is recognized as a national park where travel routes can be planned efficiently.

Contents

Visitor Info and Key Facts

Towada Hachimantai National Park landscape

Towada-Hachimantai National Park is a national park that includes volcanic lakes, plateaus, and mountainous terrain formed by volcanic activity. Alongside Lake Towada, the Oirase Stream, and the plateau landscapes of Hachimantai, the park is also known for a natural phenomenon observed at Kagami Pond.

Highlights and Nearby Spots

Main Highlights of Towada-Hachimantai National Park

At Lake Towada, visitors can observe the shoreline scenery unique to a volcanic lake while walking along the lakeside.
Along the Oirase Stream, visitors can walk designated paths beside the water and observe a series of waterfalls and clear streams.
In the Hachimantai area, visitors can see a natural phenomenon known as the Hachimantai Dragon Eye, which appears at Kagami Pond.

Spots Within About 30 Minutes

In the Lake Towada lakeside area, visitors can view the shoreline scenery and take short walks around the surrounding area.
In the main section of the Oirase Stream, visitors can explore streamside paths and forest landscapes.
Around Hachimantai, visitors can walk across the plateau and visit designated viewpoints.

Activities in Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Within the park, visitors can observe natural scenery while walking along lakesides and across highland areas. Along the streams, waterfalls and clear water can be seen up close, and in Hachimantai, the Hachimantai Dragon Eye appears at Kagami Pond from late May to mid-June. The experience involves viewing landscapes across different areas while understanding how the natural environment was formed.

SAKURA

What Is the Dragon Eye?
The Hachimantai Dragon Eye is a natural phenomenon observed at Kagami Pond near the summit of Mount Hachimantai from late May to early June. As accumulated winter snow begins to melt in spring, differences between the center and edges of the pond create a ring-shaped pattern. When combined with sunlight and the reflection of the sky, this process forms a distinctive and visually striking scene.

Access to Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Check the latest weather forecast before your visit.

From Tokyo Station, take the Shinkansen to JR Shin-Aomori Station, which takes about 3 hours. From JR Shin-Aomori Station, take a local bus to the Lake Towada lakeside area, which takes about 3 hours and 15 minutes.

As an alternative route, travelers can take the Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to JR Morioka Station in about 2 hours and 10 minutes, then travel by local bus to the Hachimantai area in about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Each area can be reached using public transportation.

Visitor Information and Official Website

Towada-Hachimantai National Park is designated as a national park for the purpose of preserving natural landscapes, and walking and nature observation are available throughout the park. Visitor centers and walking paths are maintained in each area, and operating hours and closure days vary by facility.

Scenery within the park changes throughout the year, and in Hachimantai, there is a period from spring to early summer when a natural phenomenon can be observed at Kagami Pond, although timing varies by year. As access restrictions may apply due to snow or weather conditions, please check the Towada Lake National Park Association Official Website for the latest information.

Overview of Towada-Hachimantai National Park

Towada-Hachimantai National Park is a wide-ranging natural park where visitors can see the landscapes of Lake Towada, the Oirase Stream, and the Hachimantai Plateau in a single area. With access to major areas by public transportation, the park offers a structured way to experience diverse landforms and scenic environments.

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