TommyT Report This Comment Date: December 08, 2005 07:38AM
The Oirase Stream is a picturesque mountain stream which starts at Nenokuchi, a
small town at the shores of Towadako Lake and flows down the narrow and densely
wooded Oirase Valley. A hiking trail leads along the most scenic, upper passage
of the stream from Ishigedo to Nenokuchi (about 10 km).
Unfortunately for hikers, but fortunately for car drivers and bus passengers, a
road runs through the Oirase Valley from which one can see much of the stream.
For hikers, however, the busy road can be a distraction, even though the traffic
noise is sometimes overpowered by the stream's noise and the birds' songs.
In autumn, when the many maple and other trees turn their color, the Oirase
Valley becomes one of Japan's most popular spots for autumn foliage viewing.
( From "japan-guide.com" : [
www.japan-guide.com] )