Towada and Hakkoda driving guide: Oirase Stream, Lake Towada and Sukayu Onsen

The Towada–Hakkoda area centres on the Hakkoda Mountains and Lake Towada, extending from Aomori and Towada cities in southern Aomori Prefecture to Kosaka in Akita Prefecture, on the lake's western shore. From the Aomori side, Route 103, the Hakkoda–Towada Gold Line, crosses Hakkoda past Sukayu Onsen and Tsuta-numa pond, descends to the Oirase Stream and reaches Yasumiya on Lake Towada. On the Akita side, the Jukai Line runs from Hakka Pass to Kosaka IC.

This guide follows a day from Hakkoda via the Oirase Stream and Lake Towada to Kosaka, with roads and places to stop listed below.

Map of Towada and Hakkoda

The line follows the full-day route below, "First visit: one day from Hakkoda via Oirase and Lake Towada to Kosaka". Numbers mark the stops: green for scenery and nature, blue for roadside stations. Tap a marker to see its name.

Recommended drives

First visit: one day from Hakkoda via Oirase and Lake Towada to Kosaka

This route works while Route 103 is open between Sukayu and Yachi. From Hakkoda Ropeway, stop at Jogakura Bridge, then follow Route 103 past Sukayu Onsen, Suiren-numa pond and Tsuta-numa pond down to the Oirase Stream.

Follow Route 102 along the stream up to Nenokuchi on Lake Towada and stop at the Maiden Statue in Yasumiya. Then cross Hakka Pass to Michi-no-Eki Kosaka Nanataki, a roadside station. The route is about 77 km, with around 1 hour 5 minutes of driving. Distance and time are calculated from map data and exclude traffic.

Route 103 between Sukayu and Yachi and other roads close for winter. Last winter they closed on 14–17 November.

Entry limits at Tsuta-numa

Tsuta-numa pond has entry limits for the autumn-colour season, from 23 October to 3 November 2026. In the early morning (05:00–07:30), advance booking and payment are required: ¥2,000 per person for the viewing deck and ¥2,000 per car for parking. You cannot enter the car park from 20:00 the previous evening until 04:50.

During the day (07:30–16:00), no booking is needed. Parking costs ¥2,000 per car, payable in cash. If the car park is full, come back later. Booking and these charges do not apply outside the period.

From the Akita side: the Jukai Line

The Jukai Line (Akita Prefectural Route 2) runs 42.5 km from Odate via Kosaka and Nanataki to Hakka Pass. It is open all year. Kosaka IC on the Tohoku Expressway is along the way, making this the closest road to Lake Towada.

Roads you can drive

These are the winter-closure sections, with the dates they closed and reopened last winter. They are not this winter's schedule.

Places to stop

Views and nature

Numbers match the map.

Roadside stations

Best seasons and crowds

Sunset is at 16:35 on 31 October and 16:19 on 15 November (Aomori).

Crowded places and times

• In the autumn-colour season, Tsuta-numa pond and the Oirase Stream draw heavy traffic, with congestion and more cars parked along the road.

Roads and restrictions checked on 2 November 2026

• Mt Hakkoda and Towada are both at volcanic alert level 1.
• The prefectural road map for the Hakkoda area showed no restrictions on 2 November. Route 103 between the Sukayu and Yachi gates (8.0 km) had been scheduled to close from 18:00 on 27 October to 12:00 on 29 October for snow and ice, with times and sections subject to change.
• Route 102 had the same schedule for snow and ice: Takinosawa in Hirakawa to Aobunayama in Towada (12.8 km), Aobunayama–Nenokuchi (6.0 km) and Aobunayama–Sobe (6.9 km).
• Tsuta-numa pond has entry limits through 3 November 2026.
• Hakkoda Ropeway is scheduled to stop 8–20 November 2026. Sukayu Onsen is closed 16–18 November 2026.

Getting there and fuel

Refuel in Aomori, Towada or Kosaka before heading into the Hakkoda mountains and around Lake Towada.

Sukayu Onsen recorded 22 cm of snow at 10:00 on 28 October 2026. Fit winter tyres, or carry chains, before crossing Hakkoda.

In winter, cars heading to Sukayu Onsen need four-wheel drive or anti-slip equipment such as chains. As a rule, the road is not cleared of snow after 17:00.

If you don't have a car

Use the Aomori rental-car listings to find a pickup location. Before booking, check the driving-permit requirements and how airport pickup works.

Frequently asked questions

Where should I drive with one day at Lake Towada and Oirase?

While Route 103 is open between Sukayu and Yachi, drive from Hakkoda Ropeway via the Oirase Stream and Lake Towada to Kosaka. Pass Sukayu Onsen and Tsuta-numa pond, descend to the stream, then visit Yasumiya and Hakka Pass. The route is about 77 km, with around 1 hour 5 minutes of driving.

Can I drive along the Oirase Stream?

Yes, on Route 102 along the stream. The 2026 private-car restriction ended in September. Sections of Route 102 north of Lake Towada can close at short notice for snow and ice, as was scheduled from 27 to 29 October 2026.

When do the Hakkoda roads close?

Route 103 between Sukayu and Yachi and other roads close for winter. Last winter they closed on 14–17 November. Separately from the winter closure, Sukayu–Yachi was scheduled to close from 18:00 on 27 October to 12:00 on 29 October 2026 for snow and ice.

Does it cost anything to visit Tsuta-numa pond?

From 23 October to 3 November 2026, parking costs ¥2,000 per car. In the early morning, 05:00–07:30, advance booking and payment are required, and the viewing deck costs a further ¥2,000 per person. During the day, 07:30–16:00, no booking is needed and parking is paid in cash.

Can I reach Lake Towada from the Akita side?

Yes. From Kosaka IC on the Tohoku Expressway, the Jukai Line takes about 40 minutes. The Jukai Line is open all year.

Nearby areas and guides

• Urabandai and Bandai driving guide
• Aomori Prefecture driving and travel guide
• Japan Winter Road Closures 2026–27