Japan’s epic snow-walled Hakkoda-Towada Goldline reopens

Several cars running between snow walls.

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

Japan is known for some incredible seasonal scenery. Whether it’s cherry blossom tree-lined avenues in the spring, or the crimson and golden hued mountains in the fall, every city and season brings something you’ll want to see.

In Northern Japan, the early spring brings the reopening of the Hakkoda-Towada Goldline, a stretch of road on Route 103 in Aomori Prefecture’s Aomori and Towada Cities. This section between Sukayu and Yachi Spa is about a 1.5-hour drive from Misawa Air Base and is famous this time of year due to the 25-foot snow walls creating a snow corridor on either side of the road.

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

This year the road reopened April 1.

Yoshihito Morita, a Misawa Commissary employee, visited the road over the weekend and said that the heavy snow from earlier in February made the walls tower a bit higher than in previous years.

“Because the snow piled up all at once this year, it didn’t include dirty layers, which lets the snow walls remain a clean, bright white,” Morita said.

According to Fumiaki Oguri, an employee of Stars and Stripes Misawa Office, the warmer spring temperatures will melt the piled snow about three feet per week.

“So, if you want to see it, I recommend visiting there as soon as possible while it is fresh and beautiful,” Oguri added.

Note that although the road has reopened, it is still closed overnight between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m. until April 21.

Along the road, you’ll find famous attractions like the Suiren-Numa Swamp, Sukayu Spa and the Jogakura Bridge.

Suiren-Numa Swamp offers spectacular views of a lovely small pond, marsh and Mount Hakkoda on the wooden observation deck.

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

a pond in front and Mount Hakkoda in the background.

(Photo by Yoshihito Morita/Stripes Japan)

Sukayu Spa is a great place for a quick soak in renowned hot springs, which were the first to be designated as a hot spring health resort by the government 60 years ago. Sukayu Spa’s sulfur-rich waters, old-world allure, traditional indoor baths and surrounding natural beauty are a model example of the Japanese onsen. During the daytime, the bath is open to non-staying visitors for 1,000 yen.

At the spa, don’t miss to soak in the famous “Hiba-Sennin-Buro” (literally, Japanese cypress bath big enough to fit 1,000 bathers). The name of this large, traditionally crafted wooden pool is an exaggeration since it could probably only hold about 100 people at once.

Near Sukayu Spa, there is an active volcanic zone with a sulfuric pond where you can explore along a short trail that leads to a stream fed by hot spring water. The 1,180-foot-long, 400-foot-tall Jogakura Bridge – Japan’s largest arch bridge – is also nearby.

The weather is warming up and it’s the perfect time to catch the temporary snow corridor view. So, make plans and see it before it’s gone.