Hokkaido

Akan-Mashu National Park

PIXTA

Akan-Mashu National Park, located in eastern Hokkaido, is one of the oldest national parks in Hokkaido. Most of the park area is covered with natural forests, mainly subarctic mixed coniferous forests, and is said to be one of the most pristine national parks in Japan. The Akan-Mashu National Park is based on the three caldera landforms of Akan, Kussharo, and Mashu, which were created by the activities of the Kurushima Volcanic Belt. The topography is unique in that several volcano-lake pairs are located in close proximity within a small area, making it one of the most precious in the country. The park can be roughly divided into two areas: the Akan area and the Mashu area. The Akan area offers beautiful scenery of Mt. In the Mashu area, Lake Mashu is one of the clearest lakes in the world, and Lake Kussharo can be viewed from the surrounding mountain passes and mountains, and the forest scenery changes with the seasons. (Source: Ministry of the Environment website https://www.env.go.jp/nature/nationalparks/list/)

Activity

East Hokkaido 1-Day Customizable Private Tour with Outdoor Expert Guide

JPY 25,000

Peacan Kikaku

Highlights

This tour offers a highly personalized and immersive experience in East Hokkaido, guided by a local outdoor expert. A key highlight is the flexibility to customize your itinerary, allowing you to choose which stunning area to explore, such as Shiretoko, Akan, or Monbetsu. Your guide, Mr. Takigawa, will take you to special, hidden spots not found in guidebooks, and you may even have the opportunity to see unique wildlife. The tour is available year-round, offering different seasonal delights, from winter snowshoeing to observing drift ice.

Detail

This customizable private tour is designed to fit your preferences, with the organizing company contacting you in advance to plan the perfect day. The tour is typically 6 to 7 hours long and includes convenient pick-up and drop-off at locations like Abashiri and Memanbetsu Airport. The expert guide, who is a representative of 'Peekan Kikaku,' will share his deep knowledge of the local outdoors and birdlife. You can choose from various activities like snowshoeing or wildlife spotting, ensuring a unique and memorable adventure in one of Japan's most beautiful natural regions.

Summary

Location Hokkaido / Shiretoko / Akan / Bihoro / Monbetsu

Operating Hours Full day

Required time 6 - 7 hours

Transportation Pick-up and drop-off available (conditions apply)

Meal None

View Availability

[Jan/Feb] Snowshoe Guided Tour: Explore the Hidden Wilderness of Mt. Ura-Io Share

JPY 20,000～

ジャンボツアーズ

Highlights

Step into the pristine winter landscapes of Akan‑Mashu National Park on a guided snowshoe trek to the secluded Mt. Ura‑Io. This adventure leads you through untouched snow‑blanketed wilderness—an area rarely accessed by visitors—offering a rare glimpse into Hokkaido’s serene, snow‑cloaked beauty.

Detail

This seasonal snowshoe trekking tour takes you into the winter‑closed zones surrounding Mt. Ura‑Io within Akan‑Mashu National Park, providing an immersive escape into Hokkaido’s frozen backcountry. During January and February, enjoy a full day surrounded by untouched snowy scenery as your knowledgeable guide leads the way through this hidden wilderness. Note that pick‑up is not provided, so participants should arrange their own transport to the meeting point.

Summary

Location Akan/Mashu

Operating Hours In the morning or In the afternoon

Required time 2.5 hours

Transportation Pick up not Available

Meal None

View Availability

Access

How to get there

Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido is renowned for volcanoes, caldera lakes, unspoiled forests, wildlife, hot springs and the culture of the indigenous Ainu. The park has two areas: Akan in the southwest and Mashu in the northeast. Public transportation is irregular, so it's best to rent a car after arriving in Hokkaido, making it easier to reach and explore the park.

From Tokyo

Japan's major airlines regularly fly between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Kushiro Airport (95 min) in southeastern Hokkaido, or Memanbetsu Airport (105 min). You can rent a car at either airport and drive to Akanko Onsen or Kawayu Onsen—hot spring towns with nearby lakes that serve as tourism hubs of the park. Akanko Onsen is about 60 minutes from Kushiro Airport or 70 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport via National Route 240. Kawayu Onsen is about 70 minutes from Memanbetsu Airport via National Routes 334 and 391 and 90 minutes from Kushiro Airport via Naitonal Routes 53 and 391. Buses shuttle between Kushiro Airport and Akanko Onsen. Seasonal buses run in summer and winter from Akanko Onsen to Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. Buses run from Memanbetsu Airport to Abashiri, and the JR Senmo Main Line links Abashiri and Kushiro, with a stop at Kawayu Onsen.

From Sapporo

Domestic airlines frequently fly between Sapporo's Shin-Chitose and Okadama airports, and Kushiro and Memanbetsu airports, with flights typically taking about 45–50 minutes. By rail, the Super Ozora express service takes around 4 hours 30 minutes to travel between Sapporo and Kushiro. Buses run from Kushiro to Lake Akan, or you can take the JR Senmo Main Line from Kushiro to Kawayu Onsen. Akan Bus and Kushiro Bus each operate regular services each day between Sapporo and Kushiro.

Getting Around

Private transportation is the best option for exploring Akan-Mashu National Park as public transport is limited in the area. You can still enjoy the park without a private vehicle, however. A few companies such as Akan Bus offer single- and multi-day trips that take in the park's most popular sights and points of interest. The Lake Akan area is a great jump-off point to explore the Akan region, view marimo, go fishing or hike surrounding mountains such as Mount Oakan, Mount Hakuto and Mount Meakan. Kawayu Onsen is an excellent base to explore Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera lake; Lake Mashu, one of the clearest lakes in the world; soak in hot springs; or visit Mount Io (Atosa-Nupuri), an active volcano with sulfurous vents.