What to do in Akan-Mashu National Park

Nestled in eastern Hokkaido, Akan-Mashu National Park dazzles visitors with its volcanic showstoppers and crystalline caldera lakes. At Lake Akan, you'll find the peculiar marble-like marimo algae balls, while the perpetually misty Lake Mashu boasts water clarity that borders on the supernatural. Adventurous souls can tackle Mount Meakan's steaming slopes or wander the otherworldly sulfur vents of Mount Iō. After working up a sweat, sink into one of Kussharo's free lakeside hot springs – nothing beats soaking while gazing over Japan's largest caldera lake. Culture vultures shouldn't miss Ainu Kotan, Hokkaido's largest indigenous settlement, where traditional performances bring ancient customs to life. Winter transforms the landscape entirely, offering rare chances to walk atop crackling drift ice. Whether you're driving the jaw-dropping Bihoro Pass or simply watching steam rise from volcanic vents, Akan-Mashu delivers a slice of Japan that feels almost extraterrestrial in its raw, untamed beauty.