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In the western part of Akan-Mashu National Park, Akan-ko (meaning unshakable in Ainu) is Eastern Hokkaido’s classic tourist destination that has picturesque lakes, coniferous forest, volcanic mountains, pleasant onsen and the lakeside Ainu kotan (village).
The triangle-shaped Akan-ko is best known for its marimo (spherical moss) into the lake. Marimo have been preserved from 1921, the north shore is only accessible by sightseeing cruises or special tours.
Sightseeing
Akanko Onsen (阿寒湖温泉) is not only the lakeside resort but also the heartland of Eastern Hokkaido’s Ainu culture. The lovely village of Ainu Kotan (アイヌコタン) browse for traditional embroideries and wooden carvings along the atmospheric shopping street. At the top of the village, the Onne cise (オンネチセ) has a collection of Ainu costumes and household implements.
For the koshiki-buyo (traditional Ainu song and dance) and the Iomante Fire Festival, don’t miss an evening stage at the Ainu Theater Ikor (アイヌシアターイコロ).
Akan Sightseeing Cruise
阿寒湖汽船
10min walk from Akan-ko bus center
The sightseeing cruise on Akan-ko takes you to the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center on the tiny island of Churui-to in the north of the lake, passing through the mouth of the waterfall Takiguchi.
Akan Kohan Eco Museum Center
阿寒湖畔エコミュージアムセンター
7min walk from Akan-ko bus center
This center at the eastern edge of town provide information and advice about Akan-ko area, including high-quality videos, volcanic conditions and marimo in tank. From here, a short leafy trails lead to the mud volcano pool of Bokke (ボッケ) on the shore.
Onne-to
オンネトー
25min by taxi from Akanko Onsen
About 18km southwest of Akan-ko, Onne-to is a beautiful cobalt-blue lake at the foot of Meakan-dake surrounded by serene forest. You can hike a circumference trail on the shore take an hour. Taxi ride from Akanko Onsen (25min) should cost ¥6000. Closed in winter.
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Hotels
Akanko Onsen has a wide variety of accommodations, many of which are lined up along the scenic shore.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Akan Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga ♨︎
あかん遊久の里鶴雅
10min walk from Akan-ko bus center
This upmarket lakeside hotel features modern and spacious Japanese-style rooms, all with water views and sufficient amenities. Some rooms boasts private onsen baths. The gallery has a good collection of wooden carvings of the local artist Takiguchi Masamitsu, guests can listen to Ainu folk tales and music at night. There are lake-view onsen with open-air baths on the ground floor and the rooftop.
Photo: じゃらんnet
Onsen Minshuku Yamaguchi ♨︎
温泉民宿山口
12min walk from Akan-ko bus center
Just a short walk from the Ainu Theater Ikor near the Yuku-no-sato Tsuruga, Yamaguchi is a family-run minshuku with tatami-mat rooms and a shared onsen bathtub.
Photo: じゃらんnet
La Vista Akangawa ♨︎
ラビスタ阿寒川
2min walk from Oakan-bunki bus stop
About 5km southeast of Akanko Onsen, this remote and modern riverside hotel along Akan-gawa has stylish Western-style rooms, with private wooden baths overlooking the forest and water. There are communal open-air onsen and private kashikiri-buro (family use) for guests. A free shutle is available from Akanko Onsen.
Map
Getting There
BUS
Akan-ko bus center is located on Route 240 and has the convenience store Seicomart (6am-midnight). Most buses are operated by Akan Bus (阿寒バス).
Intercity buses to Akan-ko from Kitami (70min), Asahikawa (5hr) and Sounkyo (3.5hr). Local buses run from Kushiro Station stop 15 (1hr 50min), stopping at Kushiro Airport (1hr), Oakan-bunki (雄阿寒分岐) and Takiguchi (滝口).
Getting Around
TAXI
Akan Hire (阿寒ハイヤー) can arrange shuttle services and private guided taxi tours from Akanko Onsen. Destinations include Onne-to, photogenic points and bird sanctuaries in Eastern Hokkaido. You can order a tour from its website.
BICYCLE
Rental bicycles are available from Akanko Sightseeing Cruise Pier (阿寒湖遊覧船乗り場).
Information
Akan-ko Marimukan Tourist Information Center
阿寒湖まりむ館観光インフォメイションセンター
On the ground floor of the municipal hall, this center takes booking for accommodation and activities, as well as stocks local brochures. Free wifi and internet access. It is opposite the New Akan Hotel.
Akan-ko bus center
阿寒湖バスセンター | 아칸호 버스 터미널
Address：3-4-5 Akanko-onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido
Distance：72km from Kushiro
Elevation：428m
北海道 阿寒湖溫泉 旅遊觀光 飯店住宿 | 홋카이도 아칸코온센 여행 호텔