Akanko Onsen 1 day trip course
Winter Scenery and Tancho Crane Tour
Akanko Onsen is surrounded by forest, lake, and volcanic peaks. The spa resort town has a deep connection to traditional Ainu culture. Lake Akan is also habitat of the natural monument of the marimo. There is also the Ainu Kotan village featuring a number of wooden crafts stores and a theatre with performances of traditional Ainu dance. Old growth forest can be accessed in only several minutes on foot from all of the major hotels. The protected natural and cultural treasures you will find here are well worth the trip.
Departure
Akanko Onsen
1
Sogakudai
1
Check out the views of the husband and wife mountains Mt. Okan and Mt. Meakan side by side. The drive through the woods in the winter is a spectacle to behold.
739 341 569*70
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Inquiries
0154-67-3200 (Akan Tourism Association)
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Opening
Open year-round
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Foreign Languages
×
Guide×
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Wi-Fi
×
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Rental item
×
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Fee
Admission: free
2
Ice Fog at Lake Mashu 1st Observatory
1
You might have a chance to get close to swans resting their wings. Many swans come to the shore of Lake Kussharo to enjoy the hot springs on the sandy beach and rocky pool.
613 781 370*01
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Address
Teshikagagenya, Teshikaga-cho Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, 088-3222, Japan
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Inquiries
015-482-1530 (Lake Mashu Rest House)
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Opening
Lake Mashu Rest House 8:00am to 6:00pm
Open daily -
Foreign Languages
×
Guide× (available with reservation; fee required)
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Wi-Fi
○ (only around the Rest House)
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Rental item
×
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Fee
Admission: free
3
Lake Kussharo
1
You might have a chance to get close to swans resting their wings. Many swans come to the shore of Lake Kussharo to enjoy the hot springs on the sandy beach and rocky pool.
638 148 559*13
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Address
Ikenoyu, Teshikaga-cho Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, 088-3351, Japan
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Inquiries
015-482-2200 (Lake Mashu Tourism Association)
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Opening
Open year-round
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Foreign Languages
×
Guide×
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Wi-Fi
○ (around Rest House only)
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Rental item
×
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Fee
Admission: free
4
Nearby restaurants
1Orchard Grass
This café restaurant is located inside JR Kawayu Onsen Station. The antique interior provides a relaxing setting for enjoying the restaurant's famous beef stew.
731 715 582*33
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Address
1-1-18, Kawayuekimae, Teshikaga-cho Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, 088-3462, Japan
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Inquiries
015-483-3787
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Opening
10:00am to 6:00pm (last call at 5:30pm)
Closed: Tuesdays -
Foreign Languages
English (simple daily conversation)
Guide×
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Wi-Fi
○
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Rental item
×
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Fee
Beef Stew Set 1570 yen
2Morino Hall
A shop serving handmade confections and café. The café is semi-self serve and famous for its colorful vegetable lunches and sweets.
731 715 697*04
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Address
2, Kawayuekimae, Teshikaga-cho Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, 088-3462, Japan
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Inquiries
015-483-2906
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Opening
A shop serving handmade confections and café. The café is semi-self serve and famous for its colorful vegetable lunches and sweets.
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Foreign Languages
Menu contains English
Guide×
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Wi-Fi
○
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Rental item
×
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Fee
Mori Gohan 1080 yen
3Sansangogo
Famous for its Dodeka Zangi Set Meal, which features an entire chicken deep fried to perfection. Another local favorite is the Spicy Miso Ramen and Ikura-don Set for 1700 yen. The menu is sure to please any foodie.
731 802 087*24
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Address
1-4-10, Kawayuekimae, Teshikaga-cho Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, 088-3462, Japan
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Inquiries
015-483-3355
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Opening
11:30am to 2:00pm and 6:00pm to 12:00am
Closed: Mondays -
Foreign Languages
Menu available in English and Chinese
Guide×
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Wi-Fi
○
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Rental item
×
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Fee
Dodeka Zangi Set Meal 1300 yen and Red King Crab Tendon 2800 yen
5
Kawayu Eco Museum Center
1
Enjoy a snowshoe excursion among Sakhalin spruce trees. This facility also provides information about the surrounding environment, a lounge, and hands-on craft lessons.
731 802 075*48
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Address
2-2-6, Kawayuekimae, Teshikaga-cho Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, 088-3462, Japan
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Inquiries
015-483-4100
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Opening
Summer April to October 8:00am to 5:00pm
Winter November to March 9:00am to 4:00pm
Closed: Wednesdays (the next day in case of a national holiday), open daily from the third week of July to August 31 -
Foreign Languages
English (simple daily conversation)
Guide○
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Wi-Fi
×
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Rental item
Rentals: snowshoes (300 yen per day), boots (200 yen per day), and stocks
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Fee
Admission: free
6
Walk around Kawayu Station
1
Check out the stores and bakery as well as the café serving sweets and the café restaurant inside the station building. After you're done, dip your feet in the station's footbath.
731 715 702*75
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Address
Kawayuekimae, Teshikaga-cho Kawakami-gun, Hokkaido, 088-3462, Japan
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Inquiries
015-482-2200 (Lake Mashu Tourism Association)
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Opening
Open year-round
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Foreign Languages
Varies by facility
Guide×
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Wi-Fi
Not available
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Rental item
Not available
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Fee
Not available
7
Ito Sanctuary
1
During the winter close to 200 tancho cranes visit this location. Observe them from inside the warm confines of the Nature Center.
556 535 067*54
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Address
Tsurui-mura Akan-gun, Hokkaido, 085-1200, Japan
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Inquiries
0154-64-2620
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Opening
October 1 to March 31 9:00am to 4:30pm
Closed: Tuesdays and Wednesdays (open the next day in case of national holiday), December 26 to 30, and April 1 to September 30
*Tancho cranes can be observed and photographed at the feed station even when the facility is closed. -
Foreign Languages
×
Guide○ (inside only)
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Wi-Fi
×
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Rental item
Binoculars and telescopes (inside only)
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Fee
Admission: free
8
Tsurumidai
1
You may be able to catch a glimpse of the tancho crane's elegant mating dance. This is a convenient location for tancho crane viewing in the winter, as more than 200 can be spotted here between January and February.
556 353 143*60
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Address
Tsurui-mura Akan-gun, Hokkaido, 085-1200, Japan
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Inquiries
0154-64-2020 (Tsurui Village Tourism Association)
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Opening
Observation period: from November to about March
Feeding time: in the morning and around 2:30pm daily -
Foreign Languages
×
Guide×
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Wi-Fi
○ (Wi-Fi available at surrounding stores)
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Rental item
×
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Fee
Admission: free
Arrival