The Oirase mountain stream in autumn, generally around October 20th, is the best time to see the autumn leaves. At that time, most of the accommodations in the Oirase mountain stream area were full of tourists from Japan local and overseas tourists, and individual reservations are almost hopeless.
However, near the end of October, it will be easier for individuals to make reservations. This time, I stayed at “Towadako Onsenkyo Hotel” for 2 nights, took the first JR bus in the morning and got off at Ishigedo, the starting point of walking around the Oirase mountain stream. Take a walk through 9km.
Already in late autumn, but the deciduous forest givs a good view and the waterfall pouring into the mountain stream was clearly visible. Although the leaves are falling, the walking path of the fallen leaves is quite good and I enjoyed a quiet walk in the mountain stream.
Oirase stream: A diorama of the Oirase Stream, Ishigedo Rest Area. There is no shop from here to “Nenokuchi”, so buy sweets at the next shop. In addition, there is no toilet up to the “Kumoinonagare” in the middle of the mountain stream walking path.
Oirase Stream: After a short break at the resting place, I go down to the mountain stream path and started walking, at 9:00 am.
Oirase Stream: The word Ishigedo means a stone hut in this local dialect. The Oirase stream walk starts from here.
Oirase Stream: A short walk from Ishigado turns the gentle stream into a rapid stream, and the violent stream splashes between the rocks scattered in the mountain stream and is dynamic. This area is called “Ishigedo no Se” and is one of the famous Oirase Stream.
Oirase Stream: After passing “Ishigedonose”, the stream becomes quiet again, and the stream is so gentle that you can hear the sound of the leaves falling down the wooden path due to the wind.
Oirase Stream: Walk along the walking path which along the mountain stream, while looking at the wall of rock the opposite side.
Oirase Stream: Fallen leaves on the path and remaining autumn leaves, and the mountain stream is also dyed in autumn colors. I couldn’t find any other people walking around here, and I put myself in this landscape for a while.
Oirase Stream: A line of people go for the most famous “AshuranoNagare” in the Oirase Stream.
Oirase Stream: The flow of “AshuranoNagare”, one of the most violent stream in the mountain stream, It was still quite crowded even in late autumn, which is a popular spot and relatively vacant.
Oirase Stream: Go a little further from the “flow of Ashura”, the path will curve to the left, and that area is “Kujukushima(many of islands in the stream)”. Did it get this name because it looks like an island with plants growing on the rocks scattered in the mountain stream?
Oirase Stream: “Chisuji Fall”, a narrow stream runs down the stepped rocks without sound.
Oirase Stream: “Kumoi no Taki(Kumoi fall), the area from this waterfall to the upstream “Choshi Otaki(Choshi fall)” is called the “Bakufu Kaido(Water fall way)”, and the numerous waterfalls that flow down from the tributaries on both banks are pleasing to my eyes. “Kumoi no Taki(Kumoi fall)” is a great spot for commemorative photos because you can go near the waterfall basin. Easy access in front of the bus stop “Kumoi no Taki”.
Oirase Stream: From Kumoi Fall, go back to the mountain stream path and walking to upstream.
Oirase Stream: A few minutes walk from Kumoi fall, appear “Shiranuno no Taki(Shiranuno Fall)” on the opposite bank. At late autumn season, can be see it well without blocked by the branches of the trees.
Oirase Stream: It is clear that the promenade of the Oirase Stream is built at the water’s edge of the mountain stream, probably because it is a U-shaped valley instead of a deeply cut V-shaped valley.
Oirase Stream: A “Sirakinu Fall(white silk waterfall)” is a height of 30m. There are Shiraito Fall and Furou Fall near here.
Oirae Stream: Highlights of walking in the mountain stream “Choshi Otaki(Choshi big Fall)”, roaring and soaring water smoke. People taking pictures.
Oirase Stream: The “Choshi Otaki(choshi great Fall”, which is suitable for the finale of walking in the mountain stream, is the largest waterfall in the Oirase stream. It is said that there were no fish in Lake Towada, the water source of Choshi Otaki, which is also called the fish stop waterfall, until the successful culture of Kokanee. Approximately 1.6km to “Nenokuchi” on the shore of Lake Towada, a gentle walking path continues, late lunch at Nenokuchi restaurant, after that go to Yasumiya port by cruise on Lake Towada.
