Things to Do in Towada (十和田市), Aomori: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Towada (十和田市) in Aomori Prefecture (Tohoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Lake Towada, Matsumi Falls, Oirase River and served by Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) via the regional hub at Shin-Aomori Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Aomori Airport (AOJ). Set at 74 m elevation (40.6128°N, 141.2058°E), Towada offers travelers a base for sampling regional Aomori apples & apple pie, Nokke-don (customizable seafood rice bowl), Igamenchi (minced squid patties) cuisine and exploring neighboring Rokunohe (六戸町) (9.4 km), Gonohe (五戸町) (13.9 km), Misawa (三沢市) (15.8 km), Oirase (おいらせ町) (16.6 km).

Towada is home to the national and prefectural agencies that administer the Kamikita region, and is the central city of the region. In October 2012, the city signed an agreement with nine surrounding municipalities to improve the living environment, and has a cooperative relationship with Misawa City, which has an airport and a U. Towada is in the foothills of the Hakkōda Mountains and encompasses the Aomori portion of Lake Towada. The Oirase River passes through the town. The area around present-day Towada was formerly a wasteland known as Sanbongihara, which became the location of a colonization and land reclamation project initiated by the Nambu clan of Morioka Domain from 1855. Within Aomori Prefecture, Towada (十和田市) serves as a city in Aomori Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 2005-01-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Hirosaki Castle cherry blossoms, Lake Towada & Oirase Gorge, Shirakami-Sanchi UNESCO beech forest, Nebuta Matsuri floats, and Tsugaru Strait coastal scenery.

What to See & Do in Towada (十和田市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Towada (十和田市) from Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) at 74 m elevation (40.6128°N, 141.2058°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Towada):

• Lake Towada — local sightseeing landmark near Towada (十和田市).
• Matsumi Falls — local sightseeing landmark near Towada (十和田市).
• Oirase River — local sightseeing landmark near Towada (十和田市).
• Towada Art Center — local sightseeing landmark near Towada (十和田市).
• Towada-Hachimantai National Park — local sightseeing landmark near Towada (十和田市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Towada: Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) (connecting to Shin-Aomori Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Aomori Airport (AOJ)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Towada

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Towada (十和田市) and Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Aomori Prefecture and Tohoku:

• Rokunohe (六戸町) — 9.4 km from Towada (Aomori Prefecture)
• Gonohe (五戸町) — 13.9 km from Towada (Aomori Prefecture)
• Misawa (三沢市) — 15.8 km from Towada (Aomori Prefecture)
• Oirase (おいらせ町) — 16.6 km from Towada (Aomori Prefecture)
• Shichinohe (七戸町) — 17 km from Towada (Aomori Prefecture)

Getting to Towada & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Towada (十和田市) via Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km): 3h 20m from Tokyo Station on the JR Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa to Shin-Aomori or Hachinohe. From Shin-Aomori Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Aomori Airport (AOJ), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) to reach central Towada (40.6128°N, 141.2058°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Aomori with Towada (十和田市) and neighboring Rokunohe, Gonohe, Misawa. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Towada, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Towada and continuing toward Rokunohe can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Towada: While Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) anchors public transit for Towada, picking up a rental car at Shin-Aomori Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Aomori Airport (AOJ) makes it easy to link Lake Towada and Matsumi Falls with nearby Rokunohe (六戸町) (9.4 km), Gonohe (五戸町) (13.9 km), Misawa (三沢市) (15.8 km), Oirase (おいらせ町) (16.6 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Towada (十和田市) & Aomori

Dining near Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) and across Towada (十和田市) highlights the regional food culture of Aomori Prefecture and Tohoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Towada:

• Local specialty & terroir of Towada (十和田市): geothermal hot-spring (onsen) ryokan hospitality and mountain tourism alongside sweet cherry (sakuranbo) orchards and highland fruit farming.
• Aomori apples & apple pie — regional specialty enjoyed across Towada (十和田市) and Aomori Prefecture.
• Nokke-don (customizable seafood rice bowl) — regional specialty enjoyed across Towada (十和田市) and Aomori Prefecture.
• Igamenchi (minced squid patties) — regional specialty enjoyed across Towada (十和田市) and Aomori Prefecture.
• Senbei-jiru (cracker soup) — regional specialty enjoyed across Towada (十和田市) and Aomori Prefecture.
• Mutsu Bay scallops — regional specialty enjoyed across Towada (十和田市) and Aomori Prefecture.

If you are dining in Towada (十和田市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km).

Where to Stay in Towada (十和田市)

Visitors staying overnight in Towada (十和田市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km), or base at major rail hubs in Aomori (Shin-Aomori Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Aomori Airport (AOJ)) or neighboring Rokunohe, Gonohe, Misawa for quick train access into Towada. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Towada & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Towada (十和田市, 74 m elevation at 40.6128°N, 141.2058°E): Early August for the Aomori Nebuta & Hirosaki Neputa festivals; late April for Hirosaki Castle's 2,600 cherry trees; late October for Oirase Gorge autumn leaves.

Wider sightseeing across Aomori Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Lake Towada in Towada (十和田市) includes: Hirosaki Castle cherry blossoms, Lake Towada & Oirase Gorge, Shirakami-Sanchi UNESCO beech forest, Nebuta Matsuri floats, and Tsugaru Strait coastal scenery.

Practical Travel Tips for Towada (十和田市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Towada: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Shin-Aomori Station (Tohoku Shinkansen) & Aomori Airport (AOJ) or Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) for local bus schedules to Lake Towada and walking maps of Towada (十和田市).
• Cash & ATMs in Towada: Convenience stores and major hotels around Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Lake Towada often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Towada accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Towada: Around Towada Shi Station (十和田市駅) (1.4 km) and neighboring Rokunohe, Gonohe, Misawa, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.