Inspirations awaiting at Lake Akan and its surroundings
Numerous sightseeing spots arouse all five senses at Lake Akan Onsen spa town and its surroundings. Bountiful nature, Ainu culture and art. Hot springs. Also harboring mystical legends and traditions. You are invited to discover Akanko no Sato at your own pace, and unveil its mysteries one after another.
- Akan Area
Sightseeing Information - Eastern Hokkaido
Sightseeing Information - Lake Akan Weather
and Clothing
Akan area Akan Area Sightseeing Information
Ainu Ancient Dance designated as UNESCO's World Intangible Cultural Heritage as well as Akanko Marimo (underwater moss balls), one of the Special Natural Monuments of Japan, and similar cultural and natural relics are being continuously treasured. These are extremely rare entities, however, in this area, one is able to encounter them any time.
Culture & Attractions
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#01 Akan Art Gallery & Art Gift Shop
Opened on April 29, 2022. In addition to the permanent exhibition of works by photographer Makoto Ando, we display and sell works by artists with connections to Hokkaido.
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#02 Akankohan Eco-Museum Center
Provides exhibitions and information about the characteristics as well as animal life and vegetation of Akan National Park, with a focus on Lake Akan.
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#03 Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center
A Special Natural Monument of Japan, Akanko Marimo observation facility. The mysterious figure in various thematic aquariums.
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#04 Akan Tsuruga Summer Residence Hinanoza Wild Flower Gallery
A small museum with free admission offering aquarelle and woodblock print exhibitions of wild flowers populating Eastern Hokkaido and the Lake Akan surroundings.
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#05 Lake Akan Ainu Kotan
Largest settlement in Hokkaido where around 130 Ainu live in 36 houses. There are also around 20 craft shops and restaurants available.
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#06 Ujo Noguchi, Poem Monument
Monument with a poem about Kushiro, created by Ujo Noguchi, the author known for his pieces Red Shoes, Seven Children and other. It is located at Tsuruga’s central courtyard.
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#07 Akanko Marimu Hall
Facility that includes a tourist information office within the Lake Akan Onsen spa town. Besides providing various sightseeing brochures, it also employs resident staff members, who will be delighted to take you on a guided tour of the spa town.
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#10 Lake Akan Ainu Theater (Ikor)
The first national theater dedicated to Ainu ethnic dance, located at the Lake Akan Ainu Kotan, folk crafts and dance village. Executing ancient Ainu ethnic dance performances.
Spiritual Places Tour
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#01 Bokke
A place where you can witness the fiery energy of a volcano, within walking distance from the Akanko Onsen district. This small spot is called 'Bokke'.
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#02 Yaitai Island
The island is dedicated to reverence of the white dragon guardian deity. Surrounded by twofold power, the ‘water dragon’ and the ‘mountain dragon’, this is the strongest feng shui power spot.
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#03 Small shrine to the white dragon guardian deity
The small shrine is located inside the Inari Jinja Shrine (next to Marimo Observation Center) at the stair top.
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#04 Lake Akan Belly Button
Is the deepest part of Lake Akan with the depth of 44 meters. At the same time, this sacred point also offers views of even four mountains, starting with Meakandake.
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#05 Owl Shrine
Reachable from the lobby of Tsuruga Kan at the Tsuruga Wings. It is dedicated to the enormous wood carving of Blakiston's fish owl.
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#06 Lake Akan Dragon Veins Chart
Exhibited at Akan Tsuruga Summer Residence Hinanoza. Depictions of good fortune in the Dragon Veins Chart may only be seen by the guests of this hotel.
Touring the nature
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#01 Bokke
A place where you can witness the fiery energy of a volcano, within walking distance from the Akanko Onsen district. This small spot is called 'Bokke'.
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#02 Mount Oakantake
A graceful mountain on the eastern side of Lake Akan, selected as an active volcano in 2011. Above fifth station is the high mountain range.
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#03 Mount Meakandake
Active volcano with an altitude of 1,449 meters towering on the southern side of Lake Akan. Mountain climbers mecca enlisted in the One Hundred Mountains of Japan. (Left side of the picture)
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#04 Mount Hakutozan
Enjoy the perfect view of Mount Hakutozan from the observatory on the southern side of Akankohan Ski Resort. We recommend the nature sightseeing trail as well as the Hakutozan Bokke (mud volcano).
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#06 Onneto
Also known as Goshiki-numa (five-colored lake), changing its color from clear blue to emerald green and indigo, depending on the seasons and weather as well as angle of observation.
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#07 Akan Sightseeing Steamboat
The excursion boat tour providing the highlights of Churui Bay with the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center, magnificent and mystical Mount Oakantake, the colorful nature of the four seasons on Mount Meakandake, and many other.
Hand Bath & Foot Bath Tour
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#01 Foot Bath Akanko Marimo Foot Bath Ure Karip
A new foot bath opened in the Lake Akan hot spring resort area. Relax casually here as a break from walking around town.
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#02 Benkei Foot Bath
Tailor-made foot bath with a cottage next to the walking path. Enjoy the foot bath while viewing Lake Akan. Not in use during snow season.
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#03 Owl Hand Bath
The empty trunk of a several hundred year old elm is full of thermal water. Above the bath, a wood carving of Blakiston's fish owl, the guardian deity of the village.
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#04 Marimo Hand Bath
Next to the basin with thermal water the admirable granite Marimo with the passionate lyrics of Marimo’s song displayed on a board.
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#05 Five Pleasures Bath
Foot bath in front of Pan de Pan. Reading the story about five hearts of the Akan Forest fairytales guarantees warming of heart and body.
Higashi
hokkaido area
Eastern Hokkaido Sightseeing Information
Starting with the three national parks, the Eastern Hokkaido is colored with numerous natural parks. Dynamic land interwoven with preciously primeval, magnificent mountains, beautiful lakes and rivers, vast flower gardens, marshes and other. Brace yourself for sensations awaiting at each of these areas!
- Appreciate the taste of the land
- Experience nature
- Observe and have fun
- Get to know the history of Kushiro
Appreciate the taste of the land
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#01 Washo Market
Fish shops, fruit and vegetable shops, coffee shops, sushi restaurants, the huge local kitchen with around 60 shops altogether. When visiting Kushiro, boasting the largest fish yield in Japan, Washo Market is a must place to see.
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#02 Robata
Large c-shaped counter provides a line-up of local vegetables and fish. Guests select their favorite ingredients for grilling.
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#03 Buckwheat Noodles
A restaurant specializing in Soba that was founded in the city of Otaru in 1874, then relocated to Hakodate in 1912. We recommend the special course offering three different kinds of soba.
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#04 Kushiro Noodle
The taste of soy sauce soup with bonito base is simple, but a masterpiece spreading the flavor deep inside the mouth. The combination with moderately curled thin noodles is outstanding!
Experience nature
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#01 Sarubo Observatory
There is an introductory board at the entrance to the observatory, and the hiking course where visitors can observe the surrounding nature throughout the seasons is also in place.
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#02 Hosooka Observatory
A representative observatory providing a view over Kushiro Marsh. Perfectly green wetlands with the meandering Kushiro River and the beautiful Akan mountain range in the back.
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#03 Kushiro Marsh Observatory
Largest marsh in Japan about 5 kilometers north from the center of Kushiro. On the western side of the Kushiro Marsh Observatory a walking path is arranged.
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#04 Kottaro Marsh Observatory
Kottaro Marsh designated as a special preservation area is adrift with all-absorbing mysteriousness. Observatories are arranged along the road that is crossing the marshes.
Observe and have fun
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#01 Kushiro Marsh Wildlife Conservation Center
Current situation regarding wild animals on the verge of extinction such as Blakiston's fish owl, red-crested white crane and other is introduced through exhibition panels of Kushiro Marsh, one of their natural habitats.
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#02 Kushiro Crane Reserve
Natural park with red-crested white cranes living freely. The natural park was established in 1958 with the purpose of preserving and breeding of this extremely endangered species.
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#03 Akan International Crane Center Grus
Grus is Latin for crane. The crane center displays materials introducing the natural habitat of the red-crested white cranes as well as the outdoor pasture.
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#04 Tsurui-Ito Tancho Sanctuary
The nature center administered by the Wild Bird Society of Japan provides beautiful videos of the red-crested white cranes and tells the story of their habitat and preservation.
Get to know the history of Kushiro
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#01 Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf Shirahama MOO
The crowded building on the water front is directly connected to Nusamai Bridge. The abundance of gourmet, shopping and leisure experience providing facilitates, as well as Ever Green Garden.
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#02 Kushiro City Museum
Permanent exhibition is divided into 8 topics, among them the Sakorpe People introducing the Ainu culture and the red-crested white crane corner are attracting the most attention.
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#03 Nusamai Bridge
The bridge connecting Kita-odori and Minami-odori on the opposite shores of central Kushiro. One of the three most famous bridges in Hokkaido adorned with four bronze statues.
Lake Akan Weather and Clothing
*Please scroll horizontally to view.
| Temperature(℃) | Standard clothing for Lake Akan and the surrounding areas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest | Average | Lowest | |||
| Jan | -4.3 | -10.5 | -17.7 |
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Please wear a down jacket or a coat. Muffler and gloves are also highly recommended. |
| Feb | -3.4 | -9.9 | -17.6 | ||
| Mar | 0.9 | -4.8 | -11.7 | ||
| Apr | 8.2 | 2.2 | -3.7 | ||
| May | 14.8 | 8.1 | 1.7 |
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Please wear a thickened jacket or a coat. There might be days when muffler and gloves will be necessary. |
| Jun | 18.7 | 12.7 | 7.2 |
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It might be recommended to wear several layers, including a sweater or a cardigan and a jacket. |
| Jul | 21.7 | 16.5 | 12.1 |
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It might be recommended to wear several layers, including a sweater or a cardigan. There might be days when a long-sleeved shirt suffices. |
| Aug | 22.8 | 18.0 | 13.7 |
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Please wear a long-sleeved shirt or light cardigan, vest. |
| Sep | 18.4 | 13.4 | 8.6 |
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It might be recommended to wear several layers, including a sweater or a cardigan. There might be days when a long-sleeved shirt suffices. |
| Oct | 13.1 | 7.2 | 1.6 |
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Please wear a jacket or a sweater. There might be days when a coat will be necessary. |
| Nov | 5.6 | 0.4 | -4.9 |
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Please wear a down jacket or a coat. Muffler and gloves are also highly recommended. |
| Dec | -1.3 | -6.5 | -12.4 | ||
| Year | 9.6 | 3.9 | -1.9 | ||
