Winter Day-Trip to Towada: Art, Waterfalls, Aomori Cuisine

Towada: Winter Fun in Aomori

Towada City in Aomori Prefecture is a charming blend of modern art and breathtaking nature.

Home to the Towada Art Center, a contemporary museum showcasing world-renowned artists, Towada is also where the scenic Oirase Gorge is located. Visitors can also indulge in authentic local cuisine made with the region’s abundant fresh produce.

We took a winter day trip to Aomori to experience Towada’s perfect mix of art, nature, and exquisite food.

• Table of Contents
• 10:00｜Towada Art Center: See Works by Yoshitomo Nara and Yayoi Kusama
• 11:30｜Savor Towada Barayaki: Sautéed Beef and Onions
• 12:30｜Oirase Gorge: Take Photos of Frozen Waterfalls
• 14:15｜Snack on Towada Apple Pizza
• 17:00｜Lake Towada Winter Story: Fireworks, Food Stalls, and Festival Atmosphere

10:00｜Towada Art Center: See Works by Yoshitomo Nara and Yayoi Kusama

Kanto-dori Avenue, home to the Towada Art Center, is practically an open-air museum in itself.

Public installations by world-renowned artists dot the surrounding streetscapes, letting you enjoy incredible contemporary art free of charge.

For instance, Yayoi Kusama’s famous yellow pumpkin sits directly across the street from the museum. If you thought Naoshima Island in the Seto Inland Sea was the only place to admire her iconic work, think again!

Visiting Towada lets you experience a stunning contrast: iconic art set against a snowy winter backdrop rather than the open sea. Plus, if you visit during winter, you can catch a seasonal light show that illuminates the plaza at night.

Aomori native Yoshitomo Nara held a solo exhibition at the museum in 2012, leaving behind a massive exterior mural titled Yoroshiku Girl. Don't forget to pose just like the little girl in the artwork for a fun, memorable photo!

Created by South Korean artist Choi Jeong-hwa, the colorful Flower Horse stands out brilliantly against Towada's snow-covered streets, bringing a joyful, lively energy to the winter landscape.

11:30｜Savor Towada Barayaki: Sautéed Beef and Onions

Towada Barayaki is a beloved local specialty that you have to try. Sliced beef is layered over a bed of onions on a sizzling hot plate, then tossed together as it cooks.

Smothered in a savory-sweet, sukiyaki-style sauce, it pairs perfectly with local burdock root side dishes and practically begs for an extra bowl of white rice.

12:30｜Oirase Gorge: Take Photos of Frozen Waterfalls

A 40-minute drive from the city center brings you into the heart of Towada-Hachimantai National Park, home to the Oirase Gorge, or Oirase Mountain Stream. Nicknamed the "Waterfall Road," this scenic route is dotted with 14 distinct waterfalls.

Oirase is famous for its vibrant fall foliage in autumn, but winter reveals a completely different, magical charm. The waterfalls freeze into giant, shimmering ice falls, transforming the gorge into a pristine, snow-white wonderland.

Only the outer surface freezes into massive icicles—the water continues to rush underneath the icy shell!

Oirase Gorge

034-0301 60 Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture

Oirase Gorge is a beautiful river that flows from Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture. Stretching for about 14 kilometers from Lake Towada, this mountain stream is a sight to behold, with natural beauty such as waterfalls and clear streams. The mountain stream is covered with trees, creating a tunnel-like landscape. Below, there is a promenade and roadway, and in autumn, the autumn leaves are beautiful, so if you take a stroll, you will feel as if you have been lost in the autumn leaves. Oirase Gorge is a great spot to enjoy the beauty of nature.

14:15｜Snack on Towada Apple Pizza

Skip the usual apple juice and cake—Towada's specialty apple pizza is an absolute must-try!

Baked in a high-temperature stone oven for a crisp thin crust, it pairs sweet fresh Aomori apples with rich, melty cheese and a hint of warm cinnamon powder. It’s an unforgettable sweet-and-savory slice you can only experience here.

17:00｜Lake Towada Winter Story: Fireworks, Food Stalls, and Festival Atmosphere

Held annually throughout February, the Lake Towada Winter Story is an iconic seasonal event.

Every evening at 8:00 PM, a spectacular fireworks display lights up the winter sky over the lake. Sipping hot beer will melt away the chill, warming your body and soul no matter how cold it gets outside.

Among the festival’s many highlights, the Kamakura (Snow Hut) Bar—built entirely from packed snow—steals the spotlight.

Gathering inside a cozy snow hut to sip a cocktail served in a hand-carved ice glass is a truly magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Outside, bustling yatai (food stalls) serve local northern specialties alongside festival classics like hot takoyaki and steaming bowls of ramen.

To keep guests comfortable, vendors thoughtfully offer indoor seating areas—allowing you to enjoy your meal warm and out of the freezing winter wind.

Enjoy Exploring Towada in Winter

Aomori might sound freezing, but these incredible winter views and cozy experiences make it well worth the trip!

Next time you travel to northern Japan, be sure to visit this snowy wonderland and discover its winter magic firsthand.