National park · Japan
Towada-Hachimantai National Park十和田八幡平国立公園
Enter the park for ¥1,000 per person, then hike Oirase Gorge (2 h) in spring or Lake Towada (1 h) in summer; avoid November–April when roads close.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1936
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
- Tohoku ↗JR East Rail Pass (Tohoku area) is 5 consecutive days and covers JR East lines in Tohoku and Kanto, including the Tohoku Shinkansen and its Akita and Yamagata spurs; it does not cover the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka. 2026 estimate ¥30,000 — check the current price and coverage before buying.
- Tohoku ↗IC cards (Suica, ICOCA) work on JR, most city buses and subways in Sendai, Morioka and Aomori; rural buses and some private lines are cash-only.
- Tohoku ↗In winter, heavy snow can stop planes, trains and roads on the same day. Build a buffer day before any flight out.
At a glance
- Country
- Japan
- Area
- 1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
- check
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Aomori
Towada-Hachimantai National Park spans volcanic lakes, deep gorges and alpine plateaus across Akita, Aomori and Iwate, offering lakeside walks, river trails and high‑altitude hikes; entry costs ¥1,000 and the park is open mainly May‑October.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1936.
Size and age
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²) · national park since 1936
check
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Aomori.
Why go
- Lake Towada offers deep volcanic scenery and clear water, plus forested trails around the caldera.
- Oirase Gorge provides a classic river walk with waterfalls, especially colourful in autumn.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanRoads and many onsens closed
- FebHarsh winter, limited transport
- MarSnow melt, early green
- AprFlowers, but some closures remain
- MayFull access, pleasant temps
- JunWarm, lush forest
- JulSummer crowds, but open
- AugPeak summer, occasional storms
- SepClear, fewer tourists
- OctAutumn colours, still open
- NovTransport shuts down
- DecWinter closures
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese black bear sightingsJun–Aug · Rare, keep distance. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Migratory birdsApr–Jun | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Towada area | Lake, boat tours, shoreline trails | Open with entry ticket. |
| Oirase Gorge | River walk, waterfalls, autumn foliage | Open with entry ticket. |
| Hakkōda Mountains | Ski areas, hiking, hot springs | Seasonal; some lifts close Nov‑Apr. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points of major attractions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | JPY 1,000 (≈ US$7) | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.
- Firearms
- Prohibited throughout the park.
Where to stay
Near the park
Towadako Backpackers
Dormitory beds ¥2,500; twin rooms ¥5,000.
Near the park
Oirase Youth Hostel
Rooms ¥3,360 per night.
Safety
Winter storms high
Blizzards in Hakkōda medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trails at Oirase are flat and suitable for limited mobility.
- Steeper sections on Hakkōda require good fitness.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in licensed inns; support local onsen operators.
- Use designated bus routes to reduce car traffic.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Towada-Hachimantai National Park?
The basic entry fee is ¥1,000 per person; this covers access to main trails and visitor centres.
What are the best hikes in Towada-Hachimantai National Park?
Oirase Gorge (easy, 2–3 h) in spring and early autumn, and the Hakkōda mountain routes (moderate to hard) in summer.
When is the best time to visit Towada-Hachimantai National Park?
May to October offers full access and pleasant weather; November to April sees many roads and facilities closed.
Can I camp in the park?
Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping is prohibited.
Is a guide required for any trails?
Guides are recommended for Hakkōda mountain routes, especially in winter, but not required for Oirase Gorge.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go