Lake Akan and Ainu Culture

Background

Lake Akan lies in Akan-chō, Kushiro City, Hokkaido, within Akan National Park (now Akan-Mashū National Park), designated in December 1934. The lake surface is about 420 metres above sea level, it covers about 13 square kilometres and is about 45 metres at its deepest. Both the Akanko Onsen hot-spring town and the Ainu Kotan lie on the southern shore. The lake bed is home to marimo, balls of green algae, designated a Natural Monument in 1921 and raised to a Special Natural Monument in 1952. Marimo and related species also occur in lakes in Europe and elsewhere in Japan, but according to the Government of Japan, only in Lake Akan do they grow to 20 to 30 centimetres across, with a surface as soft as velvet. A marimo exhibition and observation centre stands on Chūrui Island in the lake. The Ainu Kotan has about 36 buildings and some 200 year-round residents. Its land was provided by Maeda Mitsuko of Maeda Ippoen to preserve the Ainu way of life, and Ainu artisans set up workshops and shops here. On the slope, the Onnechise ("large house") displays ceremonial and household objects, and the Ainu theatre Ikor is described by the official site as the first Ainu traditional dance theatre in Japan.

Local customs

• Stroll along the lakeshore or take a lake cruise
• visit the woodcarving and embroidery workshops of the Ainu Kotan and join a woodcarving, embroidery or Ainu cooking experience
• watch traditional dance and mukkur (mouth harp) performances at the Ikor theatre
• visit the marimo exhibition and observation centre
• and soak in the lakeside hot springs.

Travel tips

• The lake area is bitterly cold in winter, so bring warm clothing and non-slip footwear. Marimo-related experiences and events follow on-site notices
• check the official site for the opening hours and fees of the Kotan experiences.
• Take a bus from the Kushiro direction to Akanko Onsen
• check official and station notices for specific services. The lakeshore and Kotan area is easy to explore on foot. Every season works: the Marimo Festival is held in October when the autumn leaves on the shore are at their best, winter brings frozen lake and snow scenery, and summer suits escaping the heat and outdoor activities.