What Is Choshi Otaki? The Iconic Waterfall of Oirase Gorge
Choshi Otaki is a major highlight in Oirase Gorge (Oirase Keiryu) in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture, and is known as the only waterfall that drops directly into the gorge's main stream.
Oirase Gorge stretches about 14 km from Nenokuchi on Lake Towada to Yakeyama and is designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument of Japan.
As a landscape symbolizing Towada-Hachimantai National Park, it is featured in the official guides of the Ministry of the Environment and the Lake Towada National Park Association.
Among the many waterfalls in the area, Choshi Otaki is considered the only waterfall on the main stream of the Oirase River, and it's often described as the most powerful waterfall in Oirase.
It's a must-stop spot when walking along Oirase, and since you can enjoy not just the waterfall but also the surrounding old-growth forest, the sound of the water, and the changing flow, it's easy to incorporate into any hiking route.
Top Things to See at Choshi Otaki: Wide Flow and Powerful Cascade
A Broad Waterfall with a 7-Meter Drop
Choshi Otaki is described as a plunge waterfall approximately 20 meters wide with a drop of about 7 meters.
Rather than a narrow, vertical fall, what leaves the strongest impression is its powerful, horizontal spread as it cascades down.
A viewing area is set up directly in front of the basin, allowing visitors to experience the spray and roar of the waterfall up close.
The "Fish-Stopping Waterfall" Connection to Lake Towada
Official guides from the Ministry of the Environment and the Lake Towada National Park Association also introduce Choshi Otaki as the "Uodome no Taki" (Fish-Stopping Waterfall), the barrier that prevented fish from migrating upstream to Lake Towada.
It's often discussed alongside the history of fish in Lake Towada, and is sometimes cited as a clue to understanding how Sadayuki Wainai (Wainai Sadayuki) successfully introduced himemasu (sockeye salmon) farming during the Meiji period.
Beyond its scenic beauty, another appeal of this waterfall is how it highlights the natural connection between Lake Towada and Oirase.
How to Get to Choshi Otaki: Combine with an Oirase Gorge Walk
A Short Walk: About 30 Minutes from the Nenokuchi Side
The official course guide from the Ministry of the Environment introduces the route from Nenokuchi on Lake Towada to Choshi Otaki as a section of approximately 1.5 km, about 30 minutes on foot.
Walking a short stretch of Oirase Gorge from the Lake Towada side to Choshi Otaki and back takes about an hour round-trip, making it easy to include even on days when you don't plan a long hike.
Nenokuchi has bus stops, parking, and rest facilities, and is close to the Lake Towada sightseeing boat terminal, making it a convenient starting point for combining lake and gorge sightseeing.
A Longer Walk: The Oirase Long Hiking Course from Yakeyama
The "Oirase Gorge Long Hiking Course" recommended by the Ministry of the Environment is a route from Yakeyama to Nenokuchi, totaling approximately 14.7 km and taking about 5 hours, with Choshi Otaki located as a highlight just before the finish.
Since National Route 102 and the JR Bus line run parallel to the gorge, you don't have to walk the entire course—you can split it up by choosing sections bounded by major bus stops such as Ishigedo and Kumoi no Taki, making it easy to customize your walk.
Access by Public Transportation
From Aomori or Shin-Aomori, you can use the JR Bus Tohoku "Mizuumi-go" service, and from Hachinohe, the "Oirase-go" service, with Choshi Otaki bus stop serving as the starting point for viewing the waterfall.
If traveling by car, it's common to use the parking lots around Nenokuchi or Ishigedo Rest House as your starting point.
Things to Know Before Visiting Choshi Otaki
Check Traffic Restrictions for the Autumn Leaves Season
During the peak autumn foliage season in Oirase Gorge, private vehicle traffic restrictions are implemented on National Route 102 in some years.
When restrictions are in place, private cars, rental cars, and motorcycles are prohibited from traveling between Nenokuchi Intersection and Sobe Intersection.
During restrictions, shuttle buses operate from the Oirase Keiryu Onsen Ski Resort front and Yasumiya. A one-day pass costs 1,500 yen for adults, and elementary school students and younger ride free. If you plan to visit by car, be sure to check the latest shuttle operation details in advance.
Walking Times Vary by Weather and Season
The Ministry of the Environment's nature trail guide notes that walking times and difficulty vary depending on weather, group composition, and season, and advises walking at a comfortable pace.
In particular, early spring and rainy days can make trails muddy, and in winter, snow and ice can make some sections difficult or impassable.
Even if you're only visiting Choshi Otaki, check the weather forecast and trail conditions in advance, and prepare warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and rain gear so you can enjoy the walk with plenty of time.
Locations of Restrooms and Rest Facilities
The main restrooms and rest facilities along Oirase Gorge are concentrated at Nenokuchi, Ishigedo Rest House, and Yakeyama.
Using the restrooms at Nenokuchi or Ishigedo Rest House before starting your walk will make the hike more comfortable.
Oirase Gorge Scenery to See Along with Choshi Otaki
Don't Stop at Just One Waterfall: The Oirase Way of Walking
Besides Choshi Otaki, Oirase Gorge features many attractions with varied flows and waterfall expressions, such as Ashura no Nagare, Kumoi no Taki, Kudan no Taki, Shiraginu no Taki, and Shiraito no Taki.
Walking a bit from Choshi Otaki toward Nenokuchi reveals a succession of smaller cascades such as the Samusawa flow, letting you feel the full appeal of Oirase as a collection of waterfalls.
By setting a single waterfall as your destination while enjoying the scenic changes before and after, the presence of Choshi Otaki becomes even more memorable.
Choshi Otaki Changes Dramatically with the Seasons
The Towada Oirase Tourism Association highlights Oirase Gorge's seasonal scenery changes—fresh greenery, autumn leaves, and winter icefalls and icicles (tsurara)—as a major attraction.
Fresh greenery peaks from mid-May to early June, autumn leaves from mid to late October, and winter icefalls and icicles from late January to mid-February.
Choshi Otaki also transforms with the seasons as the surrounding forest, water volume, and light shift, making it a photo spot that offers a different expression on every visit.
Summary: Make Choshi Otaki the Centerpiece of Your Oirase Walk
Choshi Otaki is said to be the only waterfall on the main stream of Oirase Gorge, making it a must-see highlight on foot.
You can enjoy its roughly 20-meter-wide, 7-meter-tall flow head-on, and it's easy to incorporate into either a quick 30-minute walk from the Nenokuchi side or the longer hiking course from Yakeyama.
If you're visiting for the first time, rather than seeing Choshi Otaki alone, we recommend planning your route to include the surrounding gorge scenery such as Ashura no Nagare and Kumoi no Taki.
Traffic restrictions during the autumn leaves season and trail conditions vary by season, so check the official information from the Ministry of the Environment or the Towada Oirase Tourism Association before you go, and choose the hiking approach that best fits your itinerary.
