Family-Friendly Hotels in Towada & Oirase: Lakeside Fall Colors and Mountain Streams

When it comes to choosing a place to stay with children in the Lake Towada and Oirase area, plenty of families are unsure what to base the decision on. Because this is such a nature-rich region, the accommodations are scattered across a wide area, and the right choice shifts depending on your children's ages and the style of your trip.

One defining trait of Lake Towada and Oirase is that the lodgings are spread across several distinct areas: the shores of Lake Towada itself, plus Hachinohe, Misawa and Shichinohe-Towada, the Lake Towada area, and the Hakkoda / Lake Towada / Oirase area. Deciding whether you want to settle in by the lake and take things slowly, or base yourselves near central Hachinohe for easier getting around, makes planning much simpler once you think through how far your family wants to roam. The natural scenery of Lake Towada, the Oirase Gorge and Mount Hakkoda is widely known, and the region is a popular pick for families who want their children to spend time in nature.

The facilities at each property are also worth a close look. Some offer Japanese-style or Japanese-Western rooms so little ones can sleep on futons laid out on the tatami floor, and some lend out humidifiers and air purifiers. There are properties that accommodate food allergies or serve toddler meal menus, and ones with private or semi-private dining rooms where you can enjoy a meal without worrying about the people around you. For families with babies, you will also find hotels that lend baby beds and baby futons. Choosing a property with a private-use bath, a kids' room or a playroom makes it easier to secure both family-only time and time for the children to play.

The seasonal pleasures here are distinctly Towada and Oirase, too. Autumn is widely known as the time when fall colors light up the Oirase Gorge and the shores of Lake Towada, though peak color shifts earlier or later from year to year, so it is best treated as a rough guide. In winter, some properties sit close to ski areas where children can play in the snow, making a relaxed trip surrounded by snowy scenery another appealing option.

What families prioritize varies widely. Whether you value lively facilities where children can play, or a calm setting with Japanese-style rooms and private dining rooms, sorting out your priorities before you start looking makes the search much easier. The Lake Towada and Oirase area has 4 properties listed, so you are sure to find one that suits your family's travel style.