Hokkaido, Japan
Lake AkanAKAN
A lake of marimo, reflecting a volcano.
43°27'N 144°06'E
01IntroductionIntroduction
A lake of marimo, reflecting a volcano.
A caldera lake at the heart of Akan-Mashu National Park in Kushiro, Hokkaido. Akanko Onsen lies on its shore facing Mount Oakan, and the lake is known as home to marimo, a Special Natural Monument.
02Key InformationKey information
Key information about Lake Akan
Only information confirmed in the sources (listed at the bottom of the page) is shown. Please check the latest official information before your visit.
- PrefecturePrefecture
- Hokkaido
- RegionRegion
- Hokkaido
- MunicipalityMunicipality
- Kushiro City
- CategoryScenery
- LakesHot spring townsForestsNational parks
- ElevationElevation
- Lake surface elevation 420 m
- Protected areasProtection
- Akan-Mashu National Park
- Special Natural Monument "Marimo of Lake Akan"
- AreaData
- 13.25 km²
- Maximum depthData
- 44.8 m
- LocationCoordinates
- 43°27'N 144°06'E
Lake Akan — Hokkaido
Photo: 663highland / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.5
03StoryStory
The Story of
Lake Akan
Beyond the lake stands the conical Mount Oakan. Lake Akan formed when water filled a great depression created by volcanic activity.
The lake is home to marimo, which grow into spheres. They are a national Special Natural Monument, closely tied to life and festivals on the lakeshore.
04GalleryGallery
Photographs of Lake Akan
4 photographs
—FilmTravel through film
Lake Akan on film
【火山と湖の絶景】阿寒摩周国立公園｜大地が生み出す自然風景（8K）
Source: 環境省 日本の国立公園 / Watch on YouTube ↗
阿寒湖動画
Source: 釧路・阿寒湖観光公式サイト Super Fantastic Kushiro Lake Akan / Watch on YouTube ↗
The films shown here are published on YouTube by official channels such as the Ministry of the Environment, local governments and tourism associations, and are presented using YouTube's embed feature. Copyright remains with each publisher. No connection is made to YouTube until you press play.
05SeasonsThrough the seasons
The four seasons of Lake Akan
SpringSpring
A late spring. The ice on the lake melts and the forest buds.
SummerSummer
The season to tour the lake by sightseeing boat and visit the marimo habitat.
Recommended
AutumnAutumn
Autumn leaves in the lakeside forest, and mist rising from the water in the morning.
Recommended
WinterWinter
Smelt fishing and other activities take place on the frozen lake.
Recommended
06LocationLocation
43°27'N 144°06'E
Hokkaido, Kushiro City (Hokkaido)
An interactive map is in preparation. For now, the location is shown among all destinations.
07NearbyNearby scenic spots
Another landscape, close by.
Lake Mashu
MASHU
About 37 km (straight-line distance)
Shiretoko
SHIRETOKO
About 109 km (straight-line distance)
Biei
BIEI
About 132 km (straight-line distance)
08RelatedSimilar landscapes
If you love this landscape.
HAKONE
Hakone
Kanagawa
From Tokyo, to mountains of lakes, mist and hot spring steam.
TOWADA
Lake TowadaAomori / Akita · Tohoku
A caldera lake straddling Aomori and Akita prefectures. With a maximum depth of 326.8 m, it is deep, and its peninsulas and capes form an intricate shoreline. It is also the source of the Oirase Stream.
Lakes / Forests / National parks
NIKKO
Nikko & Kegon FallsTochigi · Kanto
Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture. At Kegon Falls, water flowing out of Lake Chuzenji plunges straight down a 97 m cliff. Counted with Nachi Falls and Fukuroda Falls among Japan's three great waterfalls, it is a signature landscape of Nikko National Park.
Waterfalls / Lakes / Forests
09SourcesSources
Sources
- Wikipedia「阿寒湖」Wikipedia
- 環境省 阿寒摩周国立公園環境省
- Wikidata Q429402（阿寒湖）Wikidata
- Wikidata Q8528084（雄阿寒岳）Wikidata
10Photo CreditsPhoto credits
| Photo | Title / Photographer | Source | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakan and Akanko DSCN2497 20060805Ogiyoshisan | Wikimedia Commons ↗ | Public domain |
| Lake Akan Kushiro Hokkaido Japan03s3663highland | Wikimedia Commons ↗ | CC BY 2.5 |
 | Akanko Lake - panoramioFoxyStranger Kawasaki | Wikimedia Commons ↗ | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
 | Kushiro, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan - panoramioToshihiro Matsui | Wikimedia Commons ↗ | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
 | Lake-akan and Mt-ahoromelvil | Wikimedia Commons ↗ | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
 | Lake Akan Kushiro Hokkaido Japan02s3663highland | Wikimedia Commons ↗ | CC BY 2.5 |