We continue our journey in search of majestic snow views around Japan. For our next adventure, travel by JR Hanawa Line from Kazuno, Akita to Iwate, Morioka. Enjoy the splendid winter view during the two-hour journey. Then, from Towadaminami Station, take a scenic 20-minute bus ride to Oyu Onsen – a cosy spa with over 800 years of history. If you’re hungry, grab a bite at Keikeian, which specialises in Hinai chicken. One of the recommended dishes is Hinai chicken oyakodon (chicken-rice bowl). Savour the rich flavour of the chicken and the stock while admiring the view of Oyu River. Next, go trekking with a guide to see beautiful waterfalls, which are less than 15km away from National Route 135. Wear some snow shoes first before trekking to Oyu’s waterfalls. During midwinter, you can see gorgeous frozen waterfalls, some of which look like “ice curtains”. Next, head to Choshi no Taki, which has a bluish tinge due to the reflection of light. If you’re thirsty, quench your thirst by sipping chilly but sweet spring water. The tour of Oyu's six waterfalls lasts over three hours, with the last attraction being Konetsuto no Otaki – a three-step waterfall with a majestic flow.
After this beautiful tour, return to Oyu Onsen and stay the night at an inn, Ryumontei Chibaryokan. The 140-year-old inn features cosy Japanese-style rooms with gorgeous views of its beautiful garden. During the day, the frozen garden looks like a winter wonderland, while at night, the garden is illuminated to create a dream-like scene. The inn also boasts a refreshing open-air bath with great panoramic snow views. Local seasonal seafood is served during dinner. Dishes include kiritanpo nabe, a well known Akita dish; Hachimantai pork steamed using spring water; and other authentic seafood and vegetable items.
The next morning, have an early start and head to Lake Towada. Hop onboard a special route bus run by a taxi company during winter. Travel along a snowy road for 45 minutes and join a sightseeing cruise once you reach Lake Towada. Extending over Akita and Aomori, Lake Towada is a crater lake. During the 50-minute cruise, you will be able to view a symbol of Lake Towada – the Otome no Zo (Maiden Statue). This famous statue is the work of sculptor and poet Kotaro Takamura. You will notice that Lake Towada is different from other lakes, as the line of the mountain ridge which surrounds it is flat. The spectacular and picturesque view of Lake Towada will take your breath away. After the cruise, go to a restaurant called Shinshuya, near Towadakohan, for lunch. It serves delicious Towada beef steak. Towada beef is not easily found in markets so it’s worth trying this rare delicacy. After this, go to a rare scenic spot Okuirase Keiryu by snowmobile. Put on a pair of snow shoes and climb up a steep forest. The journey up is well worth the effort as the clear panoramic view will thrill you. Surrounded by silence, this peaceful and scenic spot will leave you spellbound. Following this mystical experience, walk along Oirase River with a guide to lead you. A key feature of Oirase River is the various trees growing here. Examples are horse chestnut trees and katsura trees. Many streams and beautiful shallows also make the Oirase area special. Its beauty changes with each season, and it looks awesome during winter.
From this scenic spot, head to an inn, Sukayu, where you can spend the night. It features the artwork of famous printmaker Shiko Munakata, who had once stayed here. The rooms are tastefully done and the spa’s relaxing atmosphere will make you feel right at home. Try the Sen-nin-buro (thousand men bath), made of Japanese cypress. The cosy bath is said to be good for health and many believe it cures various diseases. In fact, there are lodgers who come to this spa in the hope of curing their illnesses. Later, enjoy a healthy dinner which features mainly local ingredients and mountain vegetables. The simple yet delicious dishes include scallop from Hachinohe and char with miso.
The following morning, take a pick-up bus to the last destination of this trip - Mt. Hakkoda. Enjoy the 10-minute scenic ride to the summit. Once you reach the peak, you will see natural art pieces created by midwinter - soft rime. Ice and snow line Aomori Todomatsu to form the soft rime, which covers all the trees. The soft rime on Mt. Hakkoda is also called snow monster. If you are lucky, you can also see Mt. Iwaki, located in Tsugaru, from the peak.
For the next trip, first travel for an hour from Toyama to Itoigawa Station. You can buy some lunch boxes from an old shop called Takase, located in Itoigawa Station. Choose from a variety of sets such as meoto kamameshi, which has vegetables and seafood; or inaka-zushi, a local cuisine of Itoigawa. After this, take a train heading to Hakuba in Nagano. Tuck into the lunch boxes as you enjoy the view of the magnificent North Alps and the beautiful winter scenery. After travelling for an hour, transfer trains at Minami Otani Station. However, there is a scenic spot here you may wish to visit first. From here, you can get a splendid view of the North Alps at a distant, and the picturesque Hime River, which runs from Hakuba to the Sea of Japan. Another place worth visiting here is the Aoni Village, which is situated on a hillside and features several important historic buildings. The houses here were built during the Edo and Meiji period. You can explore the town and get a glimpse into the lives of mountain people. After this, head back to the station and ride on the Oito Line to Hakuba, a popular spot for hiking and skiing, which is associated with the 1998 Winter Olympics. Alight at Hakuba Station and walk to the Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium. There is also a memorial hall near the stadium which exhibits clothes related to the Nagano Olympics and medals.
Later, have lunch at Soba-shubo, Zen, where you can try some tenzaru soba and omelette. The restaurant’s handmade soba is made of local buckwheat flour and underground water. Its other speciality is tempura. After lunch, head to a skiing slope to see superb snow views. At Happo Winter Resort, you can climb to the peak which is 1830m high. To reach the peak, you have to first ride a gondola before transferring to a lift. Enjoy the dreamy and panoramic view of the Hakuba Sanzan mountains and the North Alps from the peak. After this, make your way to Pension Togarashi, where you can stay the night. It's a popular inn with a homey atmosphere and a private bath. The owner serves a full-course dinner which is a creative fusion of Italian and French cuisine. There is duck meat, black rice udon made from black rice flour, grilled Shinshu salmon, beef cheek braised in red wine and even dessert!
The next morning, after breakfast, wear your snow shoes and trek to scenic spots in Hakuba. As you explore the snow forest, you may be able to see some animal tracks in the snow. The area has animals such as rabbits, squirrels, antelopes, raccoons, dogs, and foxes. After enjoying the view of the North Alps and Hakubamura, go to Hakuba Station and travel to Matsumoto by the Oito Line. Once you reach Matsumoto, go to Shinshu Matsumoto Airport. End your trip on a high note by taking to the sky to see beautiful snow views. The sightseeing flight to the North Alps gives you an amazing view of the partially-frozen Lake Nakatsuna, the famous Lake Aoki, Hakubamura, and majestic snow-capped mountains.
