On June 11, 2026, Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts held a special one-day collaborative class with 16 first-year students from Towada City First Middle School (Aomori Prefecture). As part of the school's annual "hometown learning" program — which aims to help students develop a deeper understanding of the local area's history, industries, and traditional culture — this year's theme was Oirase Gorge. The students were guided by the hotel's nature specialists, known as "Keiryu Concierges," to explore the local natural environment and discover the appeal of the landscape they live alongside.
Three programs were held throughout the day: a moss walk, an open-top bus tour, and a kokedama (moss ball) crafting session. Through these hands-on activities, the students found new dimensions to a place many of them know as an everyday part of life.
Moss Walk at Ishigado
Oirase Gorge is home to approximately 300 species of moss and has been designated one of Japan's "Precious Moss Forests." Led by a Keiryu Concierge, the students explored Ishigado, one of the gorge's scenic landmarks. Using magnifying glasses, they examined the distinct features of individual moss varieties — forms easy to overlook underfoot — and engaged all five senses in the surrounding environment.
The Keiryu Concierge shared a message with the students: "Oirase Gorge is a familiar part of everyday life here, yet it is filled with remarkable appeal and draws visitors from across Japan and the world. We hope you can discover its true value in a new way."
Open-Top Bus Tour
Students then boarded the gorge open-top bus, which offers views from approximately three meters above ground, allowing riders to experience the natural surroundings from an elevated perspective. Listening to the Keiryu Concierge's commentary, the group enjoyed the vibrant new-green canopy overhead and the sweeping scenery along the gorge.
Moving from the micro-scale world of moss to the broad, open forest above, the tour allowed students to observe Oirase Gorge across entirely different scales — from the tiny organisms at ground level to the wide natural landscape stretching overhead. For many students, it brought fresh discoveries and a richer sense of what the gorge has to offer.
Kokedama Crafting Experience
To close the day, a staff member from Oirase Moss Ball Workshop (奥入瀬モスボール工房) led a kokedama crafting session. Drawing from the image of moss-covered rocks scattered along the gorge, participants created their own small representations of the Oirase landscape in moss ball form. As they worked, students recalled what they had observed during the morning's moss walk — the ecology of different moss species, the trees rooted within them — and engaged with the natural world through their own hands.
Voices from the Day
Azumi Saito, First-Year Student, Towada City First Middle School
"Through the moss ball making and the walk, I discovered new things about Oirase Gorge. I was especially struck by how many waterfalls there are, and the fact that each one has its own name and story. Going forward, I want to help protect the beautiful nature of Oirase Gorge while also sharing its appeal more widely. The gorge is the pride and treasure of this region. I also want to visit other places that deserve to be preserved — and experience them firsthand."
Yukie Kawamura, First-Year Grade Coordinator, Towada City First Middle School
"What stood out most was seeing the students light up and ask questions while out in nature. By touching and experiencing the environment with their own senses, I felt a genuine sense of affection and attachment to Towada City deepen in them. Even if they go on to live elsewhere someday, I believe they have gained the confidence to say with pride, 'My hometown has somewhere truly special like this.'"
Shinsuke Kobayashi, Keiryu Concierge
"Seeing the children engage with real nature and learn with such genuine wonder was truly memorable. Because they live so close to the gorge, it can be easy to take it for granted. I hope that by learning about it in depth, they've come to see its value anew and feel a deeper attachment to this place. If this program continues year after year, I hope it becomes the kind of experience that gives them the confidence to tell people from other parts of Japan, 'Where I'm from, we have this incredible natural landscape.'"
Year-Round Collaboration with Towada City First Middle School
The hotel and Towada City First Middle School have been conducting collaborative learning activities on an annual basis. These programs span all seasons — including winter ice fall viewing arranged by the hotel, and summer gorge walks and moss observation at the school's request. Through guided experiences led by the Keiryu Concierges, students have ongoing opportunities to learn about the gorge's diverse qualities and build a genuine sense of belonging to the landscape they call home.
Oirase Keiryu Hotel by Hoshino Resorts
Oirase Keiryu Hotel is the only resort hotel situated directly along Oirase Gorge. The property features open-air baths overlooking the gorge and a distinctive lobby anchored by a large fireplace designed by artist Taro Okamoto. Centered around the concept of "gorge slow life," the hotel aims to offer guests a deeply restorative stay in one of northeastern Japan's most celebrated natural landscapes.
Location: 231 Tochikubo, Okuse, Towada City, Aomori Prefecture 034-0301
Check-in / Check-out: 3:00 PM / 12:00 PM
Rooms: 181
Rates: From ¥25,100 per person per night (based on two guests sharing, tax included, dinner and breakfast included)
Access: Approximately 90 minutes by car from JR Hachinohe Station (free shuttle bus available, advance reservation required)
