The Tohoku region is home to the Towada area, a place blessed with abundant nature, including Lake Towada, which has a circumference of about 46 km, and the Oirase Gorge, designated as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a Natural Monument by the Japanese government. Nestled on the western shore of Lake Towada, the "Towada Prince Hotel" offers a relaxing location where you can unwind and enjoy the beautiful lakeside scenery away from everyday life. It is also the perfect base for exploring nearby attractions such as Oirase Gorge and the Towada Art Center.
This time, I fully enjoyed my stay at the hotel, including a French dinner course featuring plenty of local ingredients. I also experienced the newly introduced plan that includes an early-morning cruise, and enjoyed a stay surrounded by the seasonal beauty of nature.
In this article, from the perspective of a hotel writer, I will give a detailed report on the guest rooms, onsen and other hotel facilities, dining, the early morning cruise, and even the surrounding sightseeing spots I actually visited.
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Who Is Towada Prince Hotel Recommended For?
- Location: Kosaka Town, Kazuno District, Akita Prefecture, on the western shore of Lake Towada. Surrounded by lakeside nature, it is the perfect base for enjoying sightseeing around Oirase Gorge and Lake Towada.
- Guest rooms: Options include the "Lakeside Twin Room" with views of the lake, and the "Mountainside Twin Room" where you can enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery.
- Recommended for: Those who want to be soothed by the lakeside nature, and those who want to relax and enjoy onsen and meals at their leisure.
- Highlights: An open, scenic location overlooking Lake Towada, and Towada French cuisine, which makes the most of local ingredients and the bounty of the lake.
- Impressions from the visit: You can enjoy onsen and meals while feeling the tranquility and nature unique to the lakeside up close.
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Auberge "Towada Prince Hotel" – The Perfect Base for a Trip to Northern Tohoku
Towada Prince Hotel is an auberge with 66 rooms, nestled on the western shore of Lake Towada. It is scheduled to celebrate its 50th anniversary in July 2027. The impressive two-story building stretches out horizontally, allowing you to spend a relaxing time embraced by the lakeside nature, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
For access, in addition to rental cars, there is also a hotel shuttle bus from JR Hachinohe Station, which requires advance reservation. It is a convenient base for a Tohoku trip where you can experience both nature and culture, such as strolling around Lake Towada, sightseeing at Oirase Gorge, or appreciating art at the Towada Art Center.
A Special Location Overlooking Lake Towada, Leading You to an Extraordinary Experience
A major feature of the hotel is its exceptional location on the western shore of Lake Towada.
On the first floor of the hotel, there is a lounge exclusively for guests. You can go out to the garden through the door at the back, and beyond that, Lake Towada spreads out before you.
Tables and chairs are set up in the garden. Within the private-feeling surroundings of the hotel grounds, you can spend an extraordinary moment gazing at the tranquil lake surface and the surrounding nature.
In the lounge, there is a 24-hour complimentary self-service drink station. You can also relax with a cup of coffee while enjoying the lakeside view.
One of Lake Towada’s charms is the breathtaking scenery that changes with the seasons, such as fresh greenery in spring and colorful autumn leaves. If you visit the lakeside at different times of day or stroll along the garden path, you’ll encounter even more vibrant landscapes that are sure to captivate you.
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Review of the Lakeside Twin Room｜A Relaxing Stay in 25.5 m²
This time, I stayed in the “Lakeside Twin Room” overlooking the lake. The spacious 25.5 m² room is furnished with two single beds. With an extra bed, up to three guests can stay in the room.
The room is equipped with all the essentials, including a TV, air purifier, refrigerator, and wardrobe.
While it’s common to find tea and water provided, this room also comes with coffee beans and a hand grinder. You can grind the beans yourself and enjoy hand-drip coffee, making for a relaxing experience with a wonderful aroma.
A yukata (a traditional Japanese garment) is provided, and even guests with a larger build can wear it comfortably. It is worn by wrapping the left side over the right and securing it with a sash.
The hotel has a large communal onsen bath, and a bag is provided for carrying your bath essentials—a small towel, a bath towel and underwear—around the hotel.
Additionally, each guest room is equipped with a unit bath, allowing you to take a shower or bath whenever you like.
Amenities are kept to the essentials, such as combs, cotton swabs, and razors. You can pick up what you need from the amenities bar located in the common area.
Electrical outlets are the standard Type A used in Japan. You may want to bring a plug adapter or voltage converter, depending on your devices.
In these classic and simple guest rooms, you can relax at your own pace after a long journey or a day of sightseeing.
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Hot Spring Bath with a Roofed Open-Air Bath Overlooking the Garden
The hotel features a large communal hot spring bath, available to guests from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from noon to midnight. The highlight is the spacious open-air bath with a roof, where you can soak in clear, refreshing water while gazing at the lush garden, rejuvenating both body and mind.
Review of the Towada French Dinner Course | Hotel Dining Showcasing Northern Tohoku Ingredients
At the Main Dining Room of Towada Prince Hotel, you can enjoy Towada-ko French cuisine, which makes the most of the natural bounty of northern Tohoku. There is no lunch service, and dinner is served as a course meal only. Not only is each dish carefully prepared, but every seat is designed to offer a view of the lakeside, making for a luxurious dining experience. From spring to summer, when the days are longer, you can dine while watching the sky and Lake Towada change colour as the sun sets.
Trying the Full Course "Michinoku Dinner" Featuring Seasonal Ingredients
There are two types of course dinners: the standard "Prince Dinner" (¥10,000 per person) and the "Michinoku Dinner" (¥12,500 per person), which features seasonal ingredients. For this article, we tried the "Michinoku Dinner" featuring autumn ingredients.
The course includes an appetiser of Aomori salmon topped with ikura (salmon roe), himemasu (kokanee salmon) caught in Lake Towada and served as a fritter, and grilled Japanese beef sirloin with an aged apple vinegar sauce, allowing you to fully enjoy local and seasonal flavours. Each dish brought out the best of its ingredients and was truly delicious.
The memory of savouring authentic French cuisine while gazing out over the magnificent scenery of Lake Towada—an elegant moment unique to a resort surrounded by nature—remains vivid in my mind.
Half-Buffet Breakfast with a Choice of Japanese or Western Main Course
Breakfast is served in a style that includes a half-buffet alongside your choice of a Japanese or Western main dish. Depending on the weather and other conditions, you may even be able to enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s renowned private garden.
On the buffet spread, you’ll find dishes made with apples—a specialty of Aomori Prefecture, where Lake Towada is located—such as chilled apple soup, apple curry, apple compote, and apple juice.
Enjoying a variety of unique local dishes in the refreshing morning air is the perfect way to start an elegant day on your travels.
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A Café Experience on Lake Towada: Early-Morning Cruise Plan
From autumn 2026, a plan that includes the “Lake Cruising Café” experience, where you can view Lake Towada from the water in the early morning, will be available (from ¥28,171 per person, including tax but excluding the bathing tax; available exclusively to Seibu Prince Global Rewards members).
From 6:00 a.m., you’ll spend about 50 minutes gliding across the tranquil lake, taking in the blue waters sparkling in the morning sun and the surrounding nature. Shuttle service from Towada Prince Hotel is available, and advance reservation is required by 20:00 the day before.
On board, you can enjoy locally roasted coffee, tea, and other beverages, spending a relaxing time at the café on the lake.
If your sightseeing schedule is packed and you don’t have time for a leisurely Lake Towada cruise during the day, be sure to try this experience before breakfast. Even if you’re planning to take a sightseeing cruise on a larger boat during the day, viewing the lake from a smaller boat in the quiet of the morning lets you experience Lake Towada from a different perspective and at a different time of day.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots Near Towada Prince Hotel
Using Towada Prince Hotel as your base, you can not only enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge, but also visit contemporary art museums and wineries. By combining relaxing time at the hotel with sightseeing in the surrounding area, you can fully enjoy a trip unique to Tohoku in northern Japan.
Towada Art Center
Located in the heart of Towada City, the Towada Art Center features permanent exhibitions of works by internationally renowned artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Ron Mueck. Artworks can be found not only inside the museum but also throughout the surrounding streets and art plaza, another highlight of the area.
- Address: 10-9 Nishi-Nibancho, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
- Opening hours: 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30)
- Closed: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), New Year holidays
- Official website: https://towadaartcenter.com/
Oirase Gorge
The Oirase Gorge stretches for about 14 km along the Oirase River, which flows out from Lake Towada. Here, you can admire up close the beautiful scenery created by clear waters running through lush forests, with waterfalls, rocks, and moss combining to create a stunning landscape.
- Address: Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
- Official Website: https://towadako.or.jp/towadako-oirase/
Lake Towada Sightseeing Cruise
If you want to enjoy the view of Lake Towada from the water, taking a sightseeing cruise is highly recommended.
Lake Towada is known for its clear waters and unique topography, allowing you to truly appreciate the lake’s vast scale as you cruise across it.
- Address: 486 Yasumiya, Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
- Business Hours: 8:00–17:00 (subject to change depending on the season)
- Closed: Winter closure from mid-November to mid-April (open daily from mid-April to mid-November)
- Fare: From 1,760 yen for adults
- Official Website: https://www.toutetsu.co.jp/ship.html
Kosaka Nanataki Winery
Kosaka Nanataki Winery is dedicated to making wine that reflects the unique characteristics of the local climate and landscape. You can tour the winery, see the actual machinery used in production, and visit the vineyards while learning about the winemaking process. In the adjacent building, you can sample and purchase wines. Several varieties from Kosaka Nanataki Winery are also served at Towada Prince Hotel’s dinner service.
- Address: 22 Takinoshita, Kamimukai, Kosaka-machi, Kazuno-gun, Akita Prefecture
- Tour Hours: 10:00–15:30 (reservation required by the day before)
- Closed: Tuesdays, and winter closure from mid-November to the end of March
- Official Website: https://kosaka-7falls-winery.com/
Towada Shrine & the Maiden Statue
Located on the shore of Lake Towada, Towada Shrine is a tranquil shrine surrounded by towering cedar trees. If you follow the lakeside promenade, you will come across the Maiden Statue, created by poet and sculptor Kōtarō Takamura.
Standing against the backdrop of the lake, the Maiden Statue is one of the iconic sights of Lake Towada. It is well worth a visit if you want to take a leisurely stroll along the lakeshore and enjoy the area’s natural beauty and history.
- Address: 486 Yasumiya, Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture
- Official Website: Towada Shrine https://towadako.or.jp/rekishi-densetsu/towada-jinja/
- Statue of Maidens https://towadako.or.jp/rekishi-densetsu/otomenozou/
The Charms of Towada Prince Hotel as Experienced Firsthand
1. A Lakeside Location Where You Can Experience Lake Towada Up Close
What I felt most strongly during my stay was the comfort of spending time by the lakeside. Gazing at the sparkling blue lake and the surrounding natural landscape, I found myself forgetting the hustle and bustle of daily life and feeling at peace. This special atmosphere is something you can only truly experience by visiting in person.
2. Relax in an Onsen While Enjoying the Natural Scenery
I highly recommend making time to enjoy the communal onsen bath during your sightseeing. Especially in the open-air bath, you can surround yourself with the natural beauty of Towada.
3. "Towada-ko French" Featuring Ingredients from Northern Tohoku
If you have the chance to visit Towada Prince Hotel, be sure to try the "Towada-ko French" cuisine. Dishes made with ingredients from northern Tohoku and the attentive service unique to an auberge will make your stay even more special.
4. A Cruise Experience Surrounded by the Natural Beauty of Lake Towada
One of the unique activities at Towada Prince Hotel is the early-morning "Lake Cruising Café" experience, where you can enjoy a special experience away from everyday life. It’s especially recommended for those who want to make the most of their morning.
5. Nearby Sightseeing Spots to Enjoy Nature and Art
Using the hotel as your base, you can easily visit natural attractions such as Oirase Gorge and the area around Lake Towada, as well as the Towada Art Center. By combining time spent at the hotel overlooking the lakeside scenery with sightseeing in the surrounding area, you can fully enjoy a journey that brings you close to both nature and art.
Overall Review｜A Hotel Where You Can Enjoy an Escape from Everyday Life on the Shores of Lake Towada
Towada Prince Hotel features a garden with a sense of privacy, allowing you to stay close to the lakeside nature. Whether it’s coffee time in your room, relaxing in the lounge, enjoying the onsen, or savouring French cuisine made with ingredients from northern Tohoku, every moment spent at the hotel becomes a memorable part of your trip. Why not combine your stay with visits to nearby attractions such as Oirase Gorge and the Towada Art Center, and enjoy a stay that takes you away from everyday life?
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Towada Prince Hotel｜Basic Information
- Address: Nishikohan, Towadako, Kosaka-machi, Kazuno-gun, Akita Prefecture
- Access: About 2 hours and 30 minutes by car from Hachinohe Station (Hotel shuttle bus available by advance reservation)
- Official Website: https://www.princehotels.co.jp/towada
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