No opening hours or admission are shown: the sources we checked on 2026-09-15 were used for the route only. Check the official site
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Our guide
Lake Towada is the largest crater lake on Honshu, on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures. It lies 400 m above sea level and is 327 m deep, and that depth is what gives the water its bright blue colour. It is roughly round, with two peninsulas reaching about a third of the way into the lake from its southern shore, and it drains through the Oirase River.
Getting there is the thing to plan. JR buses run to Yasumiya on the lakeshore without a change from Aomori, Shin-Aomori and Hachinohe stations, stopping at points along the Oirase Stream on the way, so the journey itself takes you past the river. The bus has been suspended in winter, so check the timetable for the season you are going.
Written by japan-spots.com (2026-09-22) from the sources credited on this page. Distances are straight lines between map positions.
Photos
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, each under its own licence — see credits
- Lake Towada from Ohanabe 2008 — Soica2001 ( talk ) · Public domain · source · resized
- TOWADA JINJA or Towada Shrine by Lake TOWADA in Aomori Prefecture Japan — ウィキ太郎(Wiki Taro) · CC0 · source · resized
- Statue of Lake Towada Otome — Marho · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Lake Towada Yasumiya — Marho · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Gurilandrib — 佐藤ぐりら · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
- Grilled fish HIMEMASU or Oncorhynchus nerka in a restaurant by Lake TOWADA Aomori Prefecture Japan — ウィキ太郎(Wiki Taro) · CC0 · source · resized
- 十和田湖 Towada-ko Lake - panoramio — lienyuan lee · CC BY 3.0 · source · resized
- Lake Towada 十和田湖 - panoramio — lienyuan lee · CC BY 3.0 · source · resized
- Lake Towada IMG 20161010 111654 — G41rn8 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · resized
What this place is
Lake Towada (十和田湖, Towada-ko) is the largest crater lake in Honshū island, Japan. Located on the border between Aomori and Akita prefectures, it lies 400 meters (1,312 ft) above sea level and is 327 m (1,073 ft) deep, drained by the Oirase River. With a surface area of 61.1 km2 (23.6 sq mi), Towada is Japan's 12th largest lake; its bright blue color is due to its great depth. The lake is roughly circular, with two peninsulas extending from its southern shore approximately one-third into the center of the lake. The lake is a popular tourist destination.
Visitor information checked: 2026-09-15 · Towada-ko tourism association: access
Background text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
What to expect at this type of place: Lakes & falls
Getting there by public transport
- JR buses run to Yasumiya on the lakeshore without a change from Aomori, Shin-Aomori and Hachinohe stations, stopping at points along the Oirase Stream on the way.
- The bus has been suspended in winter, so check the season's timetable.
Route checked: 2026-09-15 · Towada-ko tourism association: access · Timetables change — check the operator before you travel.
Where to stay nearby
Hotels near Lake Towada on Agoda
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