At HOSHINO RESORTS OIRASE KEIRYU HOTEL, the sole resort hotel situated along Oirase Gorge in Aomori, the "Frozen Waterfall Illumination Tour" is being held for a limited time until March 15, 2020 (Sunday). The illumination is only conducted during the tour, allowing participants to exclusively enjoy the magically lit frozen waterfalls and the beauty of ice formations.

At HOSHINO RESORTS OIRASE KEIRYU HOTEL, the only resort hotel located along the Oirase Gorge—a special scenic and natural monument within Towada-Hachimantai National Park—the "Frozen Waterfall Illumination Tour" is being held for a limited time until March 15, 2020 (Sunday). This tour allows guests to view illuminated frozen waterfalls and icicles from a shuttle bus.

Frozen waterfalls are formed when滝 (waterfalls) and springs freeze. The abundant waterfalls and springs along Oirase Gorge freeze over in winter. During the day, the ice gradually melts as the temperature rises, and then refreezes at night. This creates the ideal environment for frozen waterfalls to form. Furthermore, the landscape changes depending on the condition of the snow and ice, resulting in unique, ephemeral ice formations.

The illumination is conducted at two locations within the gorge. At "Makado-iwa" (Makado Rock), a spectacular sight unfolds as ice, glowing in an ice-blue hue, covers the entire rock face, which exceeds 20 meters in height. "Samidare no Nagare" (Flow of a Hundred Days' Rain) is a representative scenic spot of Oirase Gorge, where rocks capped with snowdrifts dot the stream. The scene, with snow-covered rocks and trees emerging from the darkness, is characterized by its evocative, ink-wash painting-like atmosphere.

To minimize the impact on nature, the tour utilizes lighting equipment mounted on vehicles, illuminating the area only when the shuttle bus passes by. The magical beauty of the ice formations, emerging from the darkness, is a spectacular view that can only be witnessed by tour participants.

Frozen Waterfall Illumination Tour
Location | HOSHINO RESORTS OIRASE KEIRYU HOTEL
Address | 231 Tochikubo, Oirase, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
Period | Until March 15, 2020 (Sunday)
Time | Varies from 6 to 9 times per day depending on the season
Capacity | Up to 20 people per session (minimum 1 participant required)
Price | Free (Reservation required)
Eligibility | For hotel guests only
Notes | May be canceled due to weather conditions.