Located in Eastern Hokkaido, almost in the center between Kushiro City and Abashiri City, Akan National Park
is an amazingly beautiful mountainous area typified
by plentiful forest, crystal clear lakes and relaxing onsen areas. Akan
is an extremely popular tourist area and is a stepping stone to the World
Heritage Listed Shiretoko National Park. The Akan National Park is some
90 481 hectares in area and has a huge range of wildlife and also a Japanese
Special National Natural Monument listed algae called “Marimo”. This
very unusual type of algae forms itself into almost perfect balls and
if left undisturbed long enough will grow to be the size of footballs.
Major areas of attraction in the Akan Park Area are: Iozan, Lake Akan & Lake
Akan Village (Akankohan), Lake Kussharo and Lake
Masshu.
Transportation By Car : Renting a car to travel around the Akan National Park area
can be a good option, especially in the summer when the roads are in
good condition. The Park itself has three highways running through
it which service the towns and observation points and give access to
Abashiri and Kushiro which are about one or two hours away. The winter
however, will see these roads covered in snow and ice and therefore
driving will be more hazardous. Also the national park has many wild
animals and especially deer can be a hazard when driving at night.
Take all caution and obey speed limits.
For a list of rental car agencies and contact info - Click
Here. By Bus : The Akan Bus Service provides a variety of sightseeing buses that
tour around the Akan area and make stops at various tourist destinations. There
are also regularly scheduled buses running between the towns of Akankohan,
Kawayu, Abashiri and Kushiro with stops at Lake Masshu. These buses however
are relatively infrequent with only between 2 to 5 buses per day. Be sure to
book ahead. By Train : The only train line through the Akan National Park is the JR Senmo
Line which runs from Kushiro to Abashiri. The stop in the park is the Kawayu
Train Station just outside the small onsen town of Kawayu. The ride from
Kushiro takes approximately 1.5 hours and costs ¥1 790. From Abashiri it takes approximately
2 hours and costs ¥1600. There are about 4 to 6 trains per day running
from these locations. Top
硫黄山
Iozan is an active volcanic mountain located just outside
of the small onsen town of Kawayu. This area vents large amounts of sulphur
and gasses and can be viewed up close. There are also several walking
tracks in the area of differing lengths and difficulty. Around the mountain
area it is also possible to buy eggs cooked by the natural steam of the
volcano. There is also a rest house with bathrooms, small restaurant
and souvenir store.
*Please remember that this area is an active volcanic
area. If using the walking trails do not enter areas which have been fenced
off as they will be unsafe. Top
Admission
Parking Fee is ¥410
(Keep your ticket and you can also use it at the Lake Masshu
parking area)
Opening Hours
-
Closed
-
Getting There
Approximately 5 min drive from Kawayu Onsen Station
Phone
-
阿寒湖 阿寒湖畔
Situated in the south-east area of Akan National Park, lake Akan is
home to the Special Natural National Monument algae called “Marimo”.
This highly unusual and highly endangered species of algae forms itself into
green balls and can grow to the size of a soccer ball. The largest confirmed
example was about 30 cm in diameter. While the algae appears in several
lakes in Japan, Lake Akan is the only lake with the right combination
of environmental factors for the algae to form itself into balls.
The only town situated around the lake is the small onsen town of Akankohan.
This pretty town has a variety of hotels, many of which have natural onsen
baths. The hotels range in price from approximately ¥4000 pp/pn to ¥30000
+ pp/pn. More expensive hotels are usually located on the lake shore with beautiful
views of the lake and the surrounding area. If you choose stay at a hotel which
does not have an onsen, it is usually possible to use the onsens in other hotels
for a charge of about ¥500 to ¥1000 pp. Within the town is also a small Ainu
(Native Hokkaido People) Village. The village consists of a small street lined with craft shops of Ainu products. At the end of the street
is also a small Museum exhibiting various Ainu artifacts and there is also
a hall where some traditional Ainu performances are held.
Other activities of interest are the ferries which do regular tours around
the lake and stop off at some of the smaller islands and the Marimo Exhibition
center and walking trails that wind there way through the lush forest to mud
pools and observation spots. Trails start near the Akankohan Eco Museum a lovely
and informative information center for the Akan National Park area. Admission
is free and they have some English pamphlets and maps. Top
Admission
Observation Deck One Parking ¥410
(Keep your ticket and you can also use it at the Iozan
parking area)
Akankohan Eco Museum :
Free of Charge.
Onsen use for non-staying guests :
Approx. ¥500 to ¥1 000
Opening Hours
-
Closed
-
Getting There
-
Phone
-
屈斜路湖 摩周湖
Lake Kussharo
With an area of approximately 80 square km, Lake Kussharo is the largest
lake in the Akan National Park Area . Many outdoor enthusiasts come
here during the summer months to enjoy camping, cycling, fishing, hiking
and kayaking / canoeing on the lake. The lake is also well known for
the natural hot springs that are dotted around the lake. These springs
are outdoor and free to use. Also unlike most Japanese hot spring it
is fine to enter these while wearing swim suits. There is also a sand
beach near the small town of Kawayu which has natural hot spring water.
It is possible to dig a little into the beach and create your very
own “Feet Hot Spring” called ‘Ashi-yu’ in Japanese. (Be careful the
water is quite hot.) There are also several walking trails around the
lake and many camping spots in the area. Top
Lake Masshu Considered to one of the most beautiful
lakes in Japan this lake can also one of the most elusive. Known for
its crystal clear and stunning blue water, the lake is often hidden
by thick fog. The summer period especially often sees a lot of fog
in the area. Those lucky enough to get a glimpse of this beautiful
area can do so from two different observation areas overlooking the
lake. Deck one has a large parking area and tourist facilities. Deck
two is smaller, with a smaller parking area and no facilities but the
parking is free. Lake Masshu is about one hour drive from Akankohan
Village or about 15 minutes from Kawayu Village. Top
釧路湿原は日本では最も広い湿原でその面積は19.290haもあります。そのおよそ78％はいわゆる低層湿原であると言われています。湿原の中には「達古武湖」「塘路湖」及び「シラルトロ湖」などの海跡湖の他に数多くの小さな池や沼があります。そこには、丹頂鶴の生息地としてコッタロ湿原を含む5.110haが天然記念物「釧路湿原」として包括されています。ラムサール条約の登録湿地区域7.863haもこの湿原の中に含まれています。 Top
北斗展望台 -
道道53号線沿いの釧路市から鶴居村に入ってすぐ。歩かず景色を見られる展望台です。展望台自体がパーキングとなっているので気軽に見られます。. Top
釧路市の幣舞橋は1889年（明治22年）当時、全道一長い木橋として架けられたのが初まりです。当時は有料で『愛北橋』と呼ばれていました。1900年（明治33年）に国の手によって初代の幣舞橋が誕生し、あの石川啄木も釧路駅からこの橋を渡って下宿へ入りました。現在の橋は初代幣舞橋から数えて５代目として1976年（昭和51年）に建設されました。
橋のランカンには春・夏・秋・冬を表現する「四季の像」を配し、エキゾチックな香りを漂わせています。 Top
typified
by plentiful forest, crystal clear lakes and relaxing onsen areas. Akan
is an extremely popular tourist area and is a stepping stone to the World
Heritage Listed Shiretoko National Park. The Akan National Park is some
90 481 hectares in area and has a huge range of wildlife and also a Japanese
Special National Natural Monument listed algae called “Marimo”. This
very unusual type of algae forms itself into almost perfect balls and
if left undisturbed long enough will grow to be the size of footballs.
Iozan is an active volcanic mountain located just outside
of the small onsen town of Kawayu. This area vents large amounts of sulphur
and gasses and can be viewed up close. There are also several walking
tracks in the area of differing lengths and difficulty. Around the mountain
area it is also possible to buy eggs cooked by the natural steam of the
volcano. There is also a rest house with bathrooms, small restaurant
and souvenir store. 
endangered species of algae forms itself into
green balls and can grow to the size of a soccer ball. The largest confirmed
example was about 30 cm in diameter. While the algae appears in several
lakes in Japan, Lake Akan is the only lake with the right combination
of environmental factors for the algae to form itself into balls. 
street lined with craft shops of Ainu products. At the end of the street
is also a small Museum exhibiting various Ainu artifacts and there is also
a hall where some traditional Ainu performances are held.
the summer months to enjoy camping, cycling, fishing, hiking
and kayaking / canoeing on the lake. The lake is also well known for
the natural hot springs that are dotted around the lake. These springs
are outdoor and free to use. Also unlike most Japanese hot spring it
is fine to enter these while wearing swim suits. There is also a sand
beach near the small town of Kawayu which has natural hot spring water.
It is possible to dig a little into the beach and create your very
own “Feet Hot Spring” called ‘Ashi-yu’ in Japanese. (Be careful the
water is quite hot.) There are also several walking trails around the
lake and many camping spots in the area. 
す。湿原の中には「達古武湖」「塘路湖」及び「シラルトロ湖」などの海跡湖の他に数多くの小さな池や沼があります。そこには、丹頂鶴の生息地としてコッタロ湿原を含む5.110haが天然記念物
「釧路湿原」として包括されています。ラムサール条約の登録湿地区域7.863haもこの湿原の中に含まれています。 
ばれていました。1900年（明治33年）に国の手によって初代の幣舞橋が誕生し、あの石川啄木も釧路駅からこの橋を渡って下宿へ入りました。現在の橋は初代幣舞橋から数えて５代目として
1976年（昭和51年）に建設されました。
いました。しかし、大正十三年に釧路地方に生息することが確認されましたが、保護の手はなかなか差し伸べられず、昭和十年八月に釧路地方がタンチョウの棲息地ということから、国が「天然記念物」に指定しました。
