Lake Juniko, Tohoku, Japan

4stepme 5:00 PM Oct 30, 2014

Beautiful in Autumn
We to Shirakami juniko lake on 28 Oct 2014. I book the Hayabusu train at JR counter the day before with my JR East pass to Aomoroi. The next day, I took a the Senzan line to Sendai (just flash the JR East to the train attendant at the gantry and they will let you in) and then, the Hayabusu train to Shin-Aomori, then Ou line to Aomori. Made a wrong decision to stay at Aomori as I realised later that Resort Shinkansen and bus to Towada is also available in Shin-Aomori. By the way, over night luggage drop is not available in Aomori. Was so tired by the rainy weather last night which caused my train to be delayed for an 1hr 30mins. I reach Aomori at about 10pm. Therefore, do not plan a tight trip if the weather is not good.. You do not know when there will be a delay. The next day I took the 1st Resort Shinkansen 2 (reserved seat) at 8:02am from Aomori to Juniko station. That is the earliest train. If you like the country side scenery, then it is scenic if not, I do not think it is as spectacular as train ride in New Zealand. The train suppose to reach at 11:25am but it delayed for about 10 minutes. When I reached Juniko station, the Konan bus was waiting opposite side if the road. The bus stops at 4 places within 15-20 minutes all together. The stops are Awone, Juniko ekimae, oike pond (very large) and lake Aoike. Turn right from the juniko station if you want to walk up, but I think you need 5 hours to walk up. Therefore, I suggest to take the bus up to Aoike. Walk to Aoike and 沸 pond as both are really beautiful and give a miss for 仲 pond as it is just flooded. By the way, there is a resting village near at Aoike lake which sell hot food and souvenir. Make sure you wear a good waterproof shoes if the weather is rainy as my shoes were soaked wet from the rain. It was cold up there as it was raining hail stone (tiny ones). Then, you can proceed the bus route to each lake as it is walkable until the "grand canon" and wait for the bus. At one of the lake, there is a tea place where you can rest and have a tea. Further down another lake, 玉池 There is a eating place where have a good view of the beautiful autumn leaves. As I do not have much time left. I waited for the bus at 3.35pm at 玉池, toward Juniko station as my Resort Shinkansen 5 train (last train back to Aomori) is at 4:05pm and suppose to reach at 7:26pm at Aomori. However, it was delayed again for about an hour plus due to strong wind. I think Autumn is awesome there but do not expect alot of red leaves there, it more orange there and still beautiful.

4unescotravelbug 5:00 PM Aug 17, 2018

Enjoy scenic walks into the unspoiled beech forest’s trails and lakes.
Juniko Lakes Region, located in Aomori Prefecture and on the west of UNESCO Shirakami Sanchi, is one of the most visited attractions closed to the shores of Japan Sea. Most of the visitors rely on JR East’s Gono Line trains, which run daily from Aomori through inland to the Japan Sea coastal area and end at Akita(or reverse direction). In the summer tourist season JR East offers Resort Shirakami (check out the JR East website for the joyful trains) specialty trains that highlighting three theme trains-Aoike(deep blue, blue and white), Buna(green beech color), Kumagera(orange-yellow, red and black)- each with theme decorated exteriors and interiors; snack bars/lavatories available on-board and special entertainments such as Tsugaru Shamisen music programs held on Aoike Train, Car no. 3, at certain scheduled days/times and routes. These specialty trains required seats reservations in advance but without extra charge if you hold the JR Pass. Besides the specialty programs and comfort seating, during the summer season tourists can enjoy the beauty of blue shimmering sea, unique sea rock formations, colorful rice paddies and dramatic moments of sunset along coastal line when viewed from your own seaside window reserved seats. Gono Line makes stop at Juniko Lake Station; from there a local bus line takes you to the Juniko Lake entrance with reasonable fares. If you book overnight stays at any of the two nearby hotels then their free shuttle pick-up, drop-off services are available at the Station. If you are a day tripper there are coin lockers inside the station for you to store your personal belongings before your head into the mountain and lakes trails. Juniko Lakes (12 Lakes) are parts of the park’s 33 small and large bodies of water that spread out in the large beech forests. The 12 lakes are easily accessible and trails are mapped out for visitors to follow. Each lake was named according to its unique appearances, size and characters. The most visited lake is the Aoike Pond (Blue Pond). This cobalt blue water pond is quite small and is nested in a secluded dense beech tree forest area; it relies mainly on the source of sun beams to brighten the water surface. But the color of the water is so unusually blue that makes Aoike Pond unique and attractive. Visitors can view blue pond from wooden guard-rail platforms. Another unique lake Wakitsubo Pond was named after boiling whistle teapot due to the sounds of water movements. This pond is known to have one of the 100 purest water qualities from the natural sources. On the walking trails you can follow the routes from the upper streams of Wakitsubo to the lower lake. Some other lakes are large enough for you to take the boat rides or enjoy scenic views of reflections from the surrounding mountain forests and colors of autumn foliage at the lakeside. The forest hiking trails are fairly safe and easy to follow until you reach the proximity of the water where you may need to take cautions on the wet slippery surfaces. If you drive there is public parking available at the entrance. Near the bus terminal stop to the park there is a snack/souvenir shop offers local specialties and hot/cold meals. If you have a day, take the hiking trails around the forests and let your mind and body immerse in this tranquil and scenic forest and lakes. Juniko Lakes and beech forests are less known to the westerners but if you happen to visit Akita, Hirosaki or Aomori during cherry blossom seasons you may want to consider adding this attraction to your itineraries. It only opens from April to November, so check the website to obtain details before your visits.