Lake Akan
Lake Akan, A Large Caldera Lake In Eastern Hokkaido Known For Marimo, Green Balls Of Algae, And For An Ainu Village On Its Shore With Crafts And Dance. Wooded And Cold, With A Hot Spring Town On The South Shore. · Kushiro, Hokkaido
Lake Akan is a caldera lake in eastern Hokkaido, set in Akan-Mashu National Park among dark conifer forest and a ring of volcanic peaks. It is best known for marimo, green balls of algae that grow only in a few places in the world and are protected here, and for a small Ainu village on the shore. The village, Ainu Kotan, has craft shops, carvings and evening dance and storytelling performances - confirm the schedule. The marimo festival, held in early October - confirm - honours the algae with Ainu rites and a boat ceremony. Akankohan Onsen is a small hot spring town on the south shore, with inns, souvenir shops and lake views. In winter the lake freezes for ice fishing, and fireworks light the ice - confirm dates. It suits families, nature lovers and anyone touring eastern Hokkaido by bus or rental car. The lake is worth a night. It is far from everything and a short stop feels poor value. Bears live in the forest.
Akankohan Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido, a long bus ride from Kushiro Airport or Kushiro Station, Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan
The lake and shore paths are open at all hours, but the village shops, Ainu theatre and sightseeing boats keep daytime hours, commonly from about 9:00 to late afternoon, with evening performances at set times and fewer sailings in the cold months - confirm each. Boats pause when the lake freezes. Reach it by bus from Kushiro, about two hours, or from Kitami or Abashiri, which take longer; confirm timetables and last departures, since the timetable shrinks in winter. A rental car is easier. Roads can be icy, and cash is useful at small shops. Book inns early in summer and autumn.