Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi ()
Welcome to virtual vacation video series where we can explore destinations from the comfort of our homes.
Join us as we take a short visual journey to Towada, Japan.
The great thing about this destination is that it is easily accessible from Tokyo within 4.5 hours via the Shinkansen bullet train, which runs up to 200 miles per hour. From Misawa, Towada is only a one-hour drive away.
Towada is situated on the northern extremity of the mainland of Honshu and offers superb forest landscapes, pristine lakes and soothing hot springs. The area can be enjoyed throughout the year with fresh green leaves in summer, brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange in autumn and fantastic 33-feet tall snow-walls piled up on the shoulder of Hakkoda-Towada Goldline in early spring, which makes Towada a great getaway.
Some of the must-see spots in Towada include:
• Lake Towadako - Lake Towadako is no less than 1,073 feet deep, the third deepest lake in Japan. Its significant depth and extremely clean water give the lake its mysterious beauty. From Kankodai Observatory, you can get a great eagle-eye view of the large lake and two peninsulas. Check out lake’s symbol “The Maiden” statue carpeted with vivid green grass and small yellow flowers in Yasumiya Town.
Photos by Yoshihito Morita
• Oirase Mountain Stream - Considered as the most beautiful mountain stream in Japan, Oirase Mountain Stream is only the outlet from Lake Towada. While a one-day hiking along the 8-mile gorge lets you appreciate the beauty of the stream at most, driving along the stream on well-paved roads in the pristine forest of white cedar, beech and maple trees offers a very refreshing experience.
Photos by Takahiro Takiguchi
• Sukayu Spa - Sukayu Spa housed in an elegant traditional Japanese inn is blessed with sulfur-rich waters and is registered as the first national government-designated “hot spring health resort.” Take a soak in its signature “Hiba-Sennin-Buro” or bath for 1,000 people, to enjoy the white-green-colored water rich in sulfur.
A visit to Barcelona would not be complete without sampling Towada’s soul food Barayaki, well-seasoned beef and onions in a soy sauce-based broth grilled in a large iron pan. The tender, sizzling beef will make you feel warm and happy in Towada’s chilly temperatures.
I hope you enjoyed a look at Towada through my travel photos and that it's inspired your next trip. Stay safe and get ready to travel with us in our next video. Thanks for watching!
