Akan Mashu National Park
Introduction
The Akan-Mashu National Park is located in east Hokkaido and it is known for one of the most historic national parks in Hokkaido. The highlight of Mashu area is known for one of the clearest lakes in the world, Lake Mashu. Here also lies Lake Kussharo is the largest lake in the park, with several hot springs along the shore. The lake overlooks Mt. Io, also called by the Native Ainu people as Atosanupuri, this mountain is still very active to this day.
The Akan-Mashu National Parks consists of the volcanos, forests, lakes, hot springs, and Ainu traditional culture. The great nature changes their colours by the four seasons.
Reasons to Go
- Enjoy many seasonal activities.
- See the world’s clearest Lake Mashu, the activate volcano of Mt Io, and rare animals and plants.
- Learn the history of the Ainu people and their pioneering journey of the National Park.
Recommended timing to visit
July – October, January – March
Sample Tour Itinerary
Sample Schedule ~Route A: Hiking~
Day 1
- **Transportation：Car rental (all itinerary)
- ＊Local guide available
- Arrival at Sapporo or Asahikawa
- Move by a car rental
- Pass by Furano and stay near Mt Taisetsuzan
- Move to Asahikawa on Day 2
Day 2
- 8:30AM Move to Kushiro
- Pass through Obihiro, stop for lunch and arrive at Kushiro
- 3:00PM Walking around Kushiro Marsh
- 5:00PM Check in at hotel
Day 3
- 7:30AM Hotel departure
- Lake Onnetō (2h) Lunch at around Lake Akan
- Mt. Mashudake trekking trail (3h)
- 6:00PM hotel arrival, stay at Kawayu Onsen
Day 4
- 9:00 Hotel departure
- Guided tour of Mt Io
- Kussharo Kotan/ Ainu folklore museum/ Open-air bath
- Move to Utoro
- Stay at Utoro
Day 5
- Sightseeing Shiretoko, Shiretoko Goko Lakes, and sightseeing boat
- Stay at Utoro or Rausu
Day 6
- Memanbetsu
- Dismissal at Memanbetsu Airport
Sample Schedule ~ Route B: Bird Watching~
Day 1
- Private Vehicle + Nature Guide Accompanied (all itinerary)
- Kushiro Arrival
- Check-in at hotel
- Walking around Kushiro Marsh
- Stay at Kushiro
Day 2
- 6:00AM〜 Kushiro Marsh, Kiritappu Marsh and Poroto Marsh
- Open-air bath
- Stay at Kushiro
Day 3
- Lake Kussharo (Swans observation)
- Lake Mashu
- Stay at Kawayu Onsen
Day 4
- Move to Shiretoko Rausu
- Bird watching from a sightseeing boat
Day 5
- Sightseeing Rausu
- Nature walking tour
Day 6
- Dismissal at Memanbetsu Airport
Kushiro Shitugen: The Kushiro Marshland is Japan’s largest marshland. A wide array of plant and animal life in the overall area of 183 square kilometre.
Lake Akan : Lake Akan is the beautiful crater lake famous for marimo algae.
Destination
- ・Hotels
- ・Ryokan ( Traditional Japanese style inn)
