Lake Akan, Kushiro: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Lake Akan sits at 420 meters elevation within Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido, surrounded by dense boreal forest and the volcanic peaks of Mount Oakan and Mount Meakan. The lake is one of only two places in the world where marimo—spherical colonies of Aegagropila linnaei algae—grow naturally into balls up to 15 centimeters in diameter, a process taking over a century. The Ainu Kotan village on the southern shore preserves Ainu cultural practices with craft workshops and traditional dance performances. Pleasure boat cruises run from April through November, with a stop at Churui Island's marimo exhibition center.