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Lake Akan

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Lake Akan

East Hokkaido’s iconic tourist destination that is well-known for its Marimo moss balls.

4.23 8

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Lake Akan is Hokkaido's fifth largest freshwater lake and is known as a habitat for marimo moss balls. Marimo moss balls can be found in freshwater lakes all over the world, but the ones in Lake Akan have international significance due to their beautiful spherical shape with a diameter of more than 15 cm.

The marimo moss balls can be seen at the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center on Churui Island, and admission includes a 90-minute sightseeing cruise. You can admire the beautiful water and natural scenery while rocking on the boat, and in the evening, it blends with the light of the setting sun to create a spectacular view.

The area around Lake Akan is Akan-Mashu National Park, a spiritual site where you can walk and feel the mysterious nature that is unique to Hokkaido.

Highlights

  • This area is home to the Marimo, a species designated as a special natural monument.
  • The Lake Akan Exhibition and Observation Center can be visited by a sightseeing boat.
  • The area around Lake Akan is a national park.
  • The lake is also known as a spiritual site.

Photos

  • Lake Akan

    Lake Akan

  • Lake Akan at the foot of Mt. Oakan.

    Lake Akan at the foot of Mt. Oakan.

  • Large marimo moss balls

    Large marimo moss balls

Reviews

8

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • 楊雅雯
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    The Lake Akan sightseeing cruise is a classic activity when visiting Lake Akan. The boat leisurely circles the lake, offering views of majestic mountains and beautiful scenery along the way. It also stops at Churui Island, where you can visit the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center and learn about Lake Akan's precious marimo up close. The entire trip takes about 85 minutes, with a comfortable pace that doesn't feel rushed.
    Surrounded by Mount Oakan and Mount Meakan, Lake Akan offers captivating volcanic lake scenery and is also an important home of marimo and Ainu culture. After the cruise, take a walk along the lakeshore, soak in the Lake Akan hot springs, and sample the local food. It's a leisurely, relaxing trip where you can enjoy nature, culture, and food all at once!
    A sightseeing cruise is well worth taking when you visit Lake Akan. Taking your time to look around and explore is the best way to travel here.

  • 范慈茜
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    Walking on a frozen lake for the first time was honestly pretty mind-blowing. It felt kind of unreal.
    Ice fishing was a lot of fun, but whether you actually catch anything really comes down to luck.

  • mizuiro_lawson
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    The water here is so clear and beautiful. You can't see the marimo from the lakeshore, though.

  • Chin Wei Liu
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    Lake Akan in winter is amazing! I always tell people that for a honeymoon, you should pick a snowy country to really feel that 'growing old together' vibe. Hokkaido's Lake Akan is a great choice!

    Here are ten things you can do in Kushiro and Lake Akan during winter:
    1. Hot springs
    2. Snowshoeing in Kushiro Wetlands
    3. Ride the Kushiro Wetlands SL Winter Train
    4. Try 'Katte Don' (DIY seafood bowl)
    5. Ice skating
    6. Snowmobiling
    7. See beautiful red-crowned cranes
    8. Ski at Utara near Lake Akan
    There's so much more!
    The most fun is ice fishing for wakasagi (smelt) on the lake. If you don't catch any, the shop will even give you a plate of fried wakasagi to try!

  • 曾鏵慧
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    In winter, you can go smelt fishing right on the lake, and there are shops nearby that will fry your catch for you. You can also ride a banana boat on the ice—super fun! The scenery around the lake is gorgeous in summer, too!

Details

Name in Japanese
阿寒湖
Address
Akankoonsen, Akancho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido
Directions
From Kushiro Airport, take the Akan Bus for 80 minutes.
Official Website
Official Website (English)
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