Oirase Gorge Lake Towada in the Winter

Here are pictures of Oirase Gorge in the Winter. Notice all the the waterfalls are frozen solid, there was some free flowing water in the streams but not much. Also notice how high the snow walls are from being plowed. And just a bit of warning, the rest stop at the top (Lake Towada) does not have toilet paper, you have to supply your own. Also as with most rest stops in Japan there are no paper towels or hand dryers, the Japanese carry washcloths around in their purses to dry their hands with. Thankfully for Bea and I a Japanese women seen us heading in clueless to the bathroom and gave us a package of tissues, I’m so glad the Japanese are so friendly and helpful! I thought the drive up Oriase Gorge would be slow due to the slippery roads, but as it turned out the roads were clear and there was not very much traffic which made for good timing driving up the Gorge. We did not stop and get out and walk to the waterfalls during this trip. The frozen waterfalls were so beautiful and amazing, it’s certainly worth a trip up there at least once in the winter.

Small frozen waterfall

Following our friends, clear roads and semi-high snow walls…but after our ‘shortcut’ trip these snow walls are nothing!

Frozen water fall by wooden sign

Wide frozen waterfall

Close up of frozen water fall

Finally arrived at the top of the Gorge to see beautiful Lake Towada

Snow piled on rocks