Lake Akan with Mount Oakan
Lake Akan is a beautiful crater lake in Akan National Park. It is home to marimo, a rare algae species that forms itself into beautiful green balls. Left alone for a few centuries, Lake Akan's marimo can reach the size of soccer balls. The algae have been designated a National Special Natural Monument.
The lakeside hot spring resort of Akankohan is the only town around the lake. It has several ryokan, some of which have hot spring baths with views of the lake on their upper floors. Several hotels open their baths to non-guests during the day for typically 500 to 1500 yen.
Bokke mud pools
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Marimo algae
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At the town's eastern end, walking trails lead through the forest and along the lake to bubbling mud pools known as bokke. The trails start next to the Akankohan Eco Museum Center where information on Akan National Park and its wildlife is available.
Ainu Kotan is a small Ainu village in Akankohan, which is basically a street lined by souvenir shops specializing in Ainu handicrafts. At the end of the street there is a small museum displaying traditional Ainu crafts, clothes and daily life utensils. Traditional Ainu performances are held in a hall next door.
Sightseeing boats leave Akankohan for 1-hour cruises of the lake, which include a stop at the Marimo Exhibition Center on one of the lake's islands and a ride into the more remote sections of the lake.
Sightseeing boat
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Ainu Kotan
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Two mountains near Lake Akan compliment the scenery and offer some longer hiking courses. Oakan (Male Mountain) and Meakan (Female Mountain) are both volcanoes whose eruptions formed the landscape around Lake Akan. Meakan remains active and frequently emits sulphuric fumes. Hikers should check with the tourist information center for volcano conditions.
Meakan's two trailheads are located on the west side of the mountain. Hikers usually depart from one trailhead and return via the other trail. Oakan has just one trail that starts from the eastern end of Lake Akan. Hiking either mountain takes about half a day. They are not difficult hikes, although sturdy hiking shoes are recommended. The mountain trails are passable between June and October. Outside of these dates, they are likely to be buried under snow.
Mount Oakan
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