Q&A on Private Vehicle Traffic Restrictions

• It is an initiative held during the private vehicle traffic restriction period to help conserve the natural environment of Oirase Gorge and provide a safer and more comfortable road environment for walking through the gorge.
• For details, please see the Top Page and Event Information page.

• Vehicle access restrictions have been implemented since fiscal 2003.
• In fiscal 2026, the restrictions will be in effect from Monday, September 7 to Sunday, September 13, 2026.
• For details, please see the Private Vehicle Traffic Restrictions page.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but vehicle traffic will be restricted from 10:00 to 16:00 on September 7 (Mon) to September 11 (Fri), and from 9:00 to 16:00 on September 12 (Sat) and September 13 (Sun).

From September 7 to 12, the road will be closed to most vehicles except large vehicles and certain other exempt vehicles. On September 13, a full traffic restriction will also apply to large vehicles and other normally exempt vehicle categories.

※ On Sunday, September 13, large vehicles and similar vehicles will also be subject to the restriction, so sightseeing buses will not be able to pass through.

• Vehicle noise and exhaust emissions do not provide a good environment for either people walking through the gorge or the surrounding natural environment.
• Shuttle buses are operated so visitors can enjoy walking beside the stream and through the beech forest. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

The Nanamagari section used as a detour around Oirase Gorge is narrow and has many sharp curves, making it difficult for large vehicles to pass each other. For this reason, except on September 13, large vehicles and certain other vehicles are permitted to travel through Oirase Gorge.

※ On September 13, large vehicles and similar vehicles are also subject to the traffic restriction, so sightseeing buses cannot pass through.

Yes. The restrictions are intended not only to reduce emissions but also to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment for visitors walking through the gorge. We appreciate your cooperation.

• Vehicles carrying a wheelchair user who has difficulty walking may pass through the restricted area.
• Please present a disability certificate if applicable. Holders of a disability certificate may pass regardless of the type or degree of disability.
• Please inform staff at the entrance to the restricted section.
• No advance application is required.

• From September 7 (Mon) to September 12 (Sat), automobiles, motorcycles, rental cars, mopeds, electric kick scooters, and similar vehicles are subject to the restrictions.
• On September 13 (Sun), large vehicles and specified medium-sized vehicles are also subject to the restrictions.
• Vehicles used by persons with walking difficulties, authorized vehicles, emergency vehicles, and bicycles are exempt.

[Specified medium-sized vehicles]

Gross vehicle weight: 8 tons or more and less than 11 tons
Maximum payload: 5 tons or more and less than 6.5 tons
Passenger capacity: 11 to 29 persons

• Microbuses
• Trucks with a payload of 5 tons or more

※ Camping cars are not included.

Classification by license plate

Number 1 large plate: Large and specified medium-sized vehicles used for freight transport
Number 2 large plate: Large vehicles used for passenger transport
Number 2 medium plate: Specified medium-sized vehicles used for passenger transport

Large plate: 22 cm × 44 cm, secured with four bolts
Medium plate: 16.5 cm × 33 cm, secured with two bolts

※ Vehicles with a Number 2 plate or a large license plate are specified medium-sized vehicles or larger. They are normally exempt from the September 7–12 restriction, but are subject to the full restriction on September 13.

[Small special motor vehicles]

Maximum speed: 15 km/h or less
Length: 4.7 m or less
Width: 1.7 m or less
Height: 2.8 m (2.0 m) or less

• Agricultural vehicles
  Tractors, pesticide spraying vehicles, threshing vehicles, etc.
• Construction machinery
  Shovel loaders, tire rollers, graders, road stabilizers, scrapers, rotary snowplows, asphalt finishers, tire dozers, and other machinery within the above specifications.

※ Kei trucks are not included.

The Oirase Gorge section from Sobe Intersection to Nenokuchi Intersection is approximately 10 km, while the detour via the Oirase Bypass is approximately 14 km. Under normal conditions, the difference in travel time is approximately 5 to 10 minutes. During the autumn foliage season on days without restrictions, congestion may occur in Oirase Gorge, so the bypass can sometimes be faster.

• Sightseeing buses are exempt from the restriction except on September 13.
• However, concentrated long-term parking by sightseeing buses in certain areas may interfere with the punctual operation of route buses and shuttle buses and may affect pedestrian safety.
• If you plan to enjoy the area at a relaxed pace, please transfer to the shuttle bus.
• Please refrain from stopping or parking for 20 minutes or longer within Oirase Gorge.
• Temporary sightseeing-bus parking areas, except on September 13, are:
  • Parking area in front of Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort
  • Opposite the Oirase Field Museum
  • Utarube Parking Area
  • Yasumiya Parking Area (paid)

※ On September 13, large vehicles and similar vehicles are also restricted, so sightseeing buses cannot pass through.

• Yes. Private vehicles may enter Oirase Gorge before the restriction begins.
• However, vehicles may not be driven within the restricted area during the restriction hours under the Road Traffic Act. This restriction has been coordinated with the police and is implemented under the Road Traffic Act.
• Driving during the restriction hours constitutes a violation of the Road Traffic Act. Please take particular care.

• The restriction start times, meaning the times from which vehicles must no longer be traveling within the restricted section, are as follows.

→ Weekdays: from 10:00

→ Weekend/holiday days: from 9:00

• The above times are the times when vehicles must no longer be traveling inside the restricted section.
• It takes approximately 30 minutes to travel through the gorge. Traffic guidance toward the detour therefore begins earlier, as follows.

→ Weekdays: from 9:30

→ Weekend/holiday days: from 8:30

• Parking is available in front of Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort and in Yasumiya.
• The shuttle bus operates during the private vehicle traffic restriction period.
• An adult one-day unlimited-ride pass costs ¥2,000.
• An electronic ticket costs ¥1,500 for adults, a ¥500 discount.
• Elementary school children and younger ride free.
• For details, please see the Shuttle Bus page.

• The shuttle buses cannot accommodate wheelchair users.
• Visitors using wheelchairs are exempt from the private vehicle traffic restrictions. Please inform traffic guides or staff at the intersection. This also applies to accessible buses and welfare vehicles.

• Pets may be brought onto the bus only when placed inside a suitable container or cage.
• For visitors without a container, cardboard boxes will be available at the parking area in front of Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort and at the Yasumiya ticket sales area.

• A shuttle bus ticket is required to board.
• Tickets can be purchased either as an online electronic ticket or from a ticket machine/ticket sales location.
• Electronic tickets cost ¥1,500 for adults, a ¥500 discount.
• Purchase an electronic ticket here (Japanese website)

No. JR route-bus tickets cannot be used on the shuttle bus, and shuttle bus tickets cannot be used on JR route buses. This distinction is necessary to clearly separate the two services.

※ Shuttle buses have a banner attached to the front of the bus as shown in the photos below. Regular route buses do not have this banner.

• Yes. Shuttle bus tickets can be purchased in advance.
• Electronic tickets cost ¥1,500 for adults, a ¥500 discount.
• Purchase an electronic ticket here (Japanese website)

• The timetable is available on the page below.
• Oirase Gorge Shuttle Bus Timetable

• JR EAST PASS and JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be used on the shuttle bus.
• JR route-bus tickets, including the Aomori-Hachinohe-Lake Towada Free Pass, cannot be used on the shuttle bus.
• Please purchase a dedicated shuttle bus ticket.

Shuttle bus ticket sales begin at the following times.

Weekdays: 8:45

Weekend/holiday days: 7:45

• There are no disability, senior, or other special discounts.
• Visitors with a disability certificate may be exempt from the private vehicle traffic restrictions depending on the applicable conditions.

• Please see the Event Information page for events taking place during the Oirase Open-Air Museum period.
• Event Information (Japanese only)

Rental bicycles are available at the Oirase Yusuikan, Ishigedo Rest Area, and JR Bus Nenokuchi bus stop.

Oirase Yusuikan: 0176-74-1212
Ishigedo Rest Area: 0176-74-2355
JR Bus Nenokuchi: 0176-75-2244

• Recommended courses include the following.

Quiet Beech Forest Walking Course
Kise – Sobe Intersection
→ 1.8 km / approximately 30 minutes on foot

Waterfall Route Course
Kumoi-no-Nagare – Choshi Otaki Falls
→ 2.7 km / approximately 50 minutes on foot

Majestic Old-Growth Trees Course
Shiraito Falls – Nenokuchi
→ 2.6 km / approximately 50 minutes on foot

• Approximate distances and walking times between major points:

Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort – Nenokuchi: approximately 14 km / 4–5 hours

Ishigedo – Nenokuchi: approximately 9 km / 3–4 hours

• Light meals such as noodles are available at Ishigedo Rest Area.
• During the private vehicle restriction period, food trucks will operate near Sensuji-no-Taki Falls, the Shirogane parking area, and Choshi Otaki Falls.
• Food vendors will also be available at the Oirase Gorge Onsen Marche.
• Please check the event-day brochure for the dates and times of food trucks and marche vendors.
• If you plan to walk for a long period, we recommend bringing food and drinks with you.

※ Souvenir shops and restaurants are also available in Nenokuchi, Yasumiya, and the Oirase Gorge Onsen area.

• Reception is poor in some sections.
• Mobile phone reception is particularly difficult between Nenokuchi and Ishigedo Rest Area.

• There are relatively few restrooms within the gorge, so please use one before beginning your walk.
  • Kise Public Restroom, between the Oirase Field Museum and Ishigedo
  • Ishigedo Rest Area restroom, wheelchair accessible
  • Tamadare Public Restroom, approximately 500 m toward Lake Towada from the Kumoi-no-Nagare bus stop

※ During the private vehicle restriction period only, temporary restrooms are also installed at the following locations:

• Near Sensuji-no-Taki Falls and Choshi Otaki Falls
• Shirogane parking area (mobile restroom vehicle)

※ Restroom locations are shown on the event-day brochure map.

• We recommend walking from the downstream side, near Oirase Gorge Onsen Ski Resort, toward the upstream Nenokuchi side.
• The gradient is very gentle, and walking in this direction allows you to continue enjoying views of the flowing stream along the way.

• Long sleeves and long pants are recommended.
• Trekking shoes are recommended for footwear.