Towada, Aomori

Jack

One of the northernmost areas on the main island of Japan, Aomori boasts a natural and secluded landscape rarely touched by tourists (much less a high school group). We will be traveling to Oirase, a town of only about 24,000. Like much of Japan, the main form of transportation in and out of Oirase (and the Aomori prefecture in general), is the train.

Founded in the Edo period, the now- Oirase and Towada area originated as two towns: Momoisi and Shimoda. Once both areas were elevated to town status, the two merged, and in 2006, renamed to Oirase, after one of the areas main landmarks, the Oirase river.

Given its far northern and coastal geography, the Aomori prefecture receives considerable rainfall in the spring and summer, and snow in the winter. Temperatures range from about 60F to just below freezing year-round. To your right, you can see one of the amazing frozen waterfalls of the region, much like the ones we will experience snowshoeing the area.

Thank you all very much for supporting our trip this winter, to see what I expect to be many, many more photos of the frozen wonders of Aomori, click here, or navigate the 'daily overview' tab to see each days activities.