If you come to Eastern Hokkaido in winter, Akan is a great place to spend a couple of days relaxing with nature and hot springs (“onsen“ in Japanese).
Akan is a cozy onsen town located right next to a beautiful lake with lots of charms and features of the culture of Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido.
So here is a 3-Day Winter Akan Itinerary Without a Car. The frozen Lake Akan offers various kinds of fun winter activities for all.
Let’s dive in!
Useful Resources
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
What We’ll Cover Here
- Day 1 - Getting to Akan
- Transportation to Akan
- Where to Stay in Akan
- Day 2 - Go Active on a Frozen Lake with 5 Winter Activities
- Ice Fishing
- Snowmoile
- Banana Boat
- Ice Skating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Day 3 - Explore the Town
- Lake Side Morning Walk
- Ainu Kotan
Day 1 - Getting to Akan
Transportation to Akan
Akan is easily accessible from Kushiro Airport. You can take a bus called “Akan Airport Liner” departing after every arrival flight for just one hour to Akan. One way costs 2,150 yen per person (1,080 yen for a child).
There’s also a local bus from JR Kushiro Station to Lake Akan for one hour.
Looking for a flight for your trip? Here are 5 easy tips to book cheap flights to Hokkaido.
WHere to Stay in Akan
There are many options for nice onsen hotels in Akan. You can enjoy natural hot springs and delicious meals using fresh local ingredients, often in a buffet style. Here are some of my recommendations.
1. Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga Lake Akan
Photo: Tsuruga
Having been listed in Michelin Guide Hokkaido, Akan Yuku no Sato offers an amazing onsen stay experience. They have different room types that match your needs — Japanese ryokan, western, and mixed-style rooms, with or without a private hot spring in a room.
There are various hot springs that you can choose from as well. Two public baths provide beautiful lake views from different angles, looking over the lake from the top floor, and sitting right next to the lake on the ground level to immerse yourself in nature.
A private family bath (reservation required) and a relaxation spa are also available.
2. Tsuruga Wings Akan
Photo: Tsuruga
If you are someone who likes taking good care of your body, Tsuruga Wings Akan is the place for you. Its dinner buffet offers many healthy dishes using lots of vegetables.
What I like about this hotel is its hot stone sauna (bedrock bath). Lying down on a warm stone bed to sweat out is the most calming relaxation.
The hotel interior features the Ainu culture at every corner. The wooden sculpture gallery in the lobby is worth visiting even though you are not staying here.
3. Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza
Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza is a perfect place to stay for a special occasion. All 25 rooms have a private hot spring where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful lake view. There is also a public hot spring equipped with a hot stone sauna.
The dinner offers various dishes prepared with carefully selected local and seasonal ingredients from seafood to vegetables.
There are also a bar lounge and a public foot bath accessible for all guests. To ensure a calm and luxurious stay for everyone, this hotel is exclusive for adults and children over 13 years old.
Day 2 - Go Active on a Frozen Lake with 5 Winter Activities
When Lake Akan freezes between January and March, it becomes a winter wonderland. Various fun winter activities are offered on the frozen lake. Get your warm jacket and go active! This is a perfect way to spend a day for outdoor lovers and families with kids.
Ice Fishing
Have you ever tried ice fishing? Here in Lake Akan, you can fish smelts in a tent on the frozen lake. Once you catch enough of them, bring them to a nearby restaurant that makes tempura with the fish for you. The tempura service is in the fishing fee, which is 1,500 yen perone fishing gear set.
In case you don’t have much time to spend on ice fishing, there is an easier and quicker option for you in a fishing pond. It uses a simple rod with a fish hook, which allows you to catch 1-2 fish in a minute. The fee is 600 yen for 30 min, not including the tempura service. But make sure to try the freshly made tempura, it’s delicious.
2. Snowmobile
Getting on a snowmobile and running around on the frozen lake is a thrilling and super fun activity here. You will enjoy the beautiful landscape of surrounding nature. Never driven a snowmobile? No worries. The staff will give you a brief on how to drive the vehicle before a ride.
There are several routes available in different lengths; 2,000 m for 1,500 yen, 4,000 m for 2,000 yen, 7,000 m for 2,500 yen, and 10,000 m for 3,000 yen.
3. Banana Boat
This is a great activity to enjoy with friends and family. It offers an exciting and shaky ride on the ice! 8 people can get on a boat at a maximum. The fee is just 500 yen/adult and 300 yen/child.
4. ICE SKATING
You will not easily find a total open-air ice skating link like this anywhere else. It’s so refreshing to skate on the frozen lake, surrounded by nature.
The fee is 1,000 yen for one hour with shoe rental included.
5. CROSS COUNTRY skiing
Another cool activity to try here is cross country skiing on the frozen lake. This is great for those who are not so familiar with being on the ice, as cross country skiing is easier than ice skating.
The fee is 1,000 yen for two hours including ski rental.
Day 3 - Explore the Town
Lake side Morning walk
My dad and me :)
Yes, it’s freezing in the early morning in Hokkaido in winter. But a beautiful morning view of the frozen Lake Akan is definitely worth bearing the coldness.
Check with your hotel if they have direct access to the lakeside, which many hotels in Akan do. If not, you can just go to the lakeside from the public parking area near the lake.
Enjoy the sunrise if you can wake up early enough. It’s stunning. And the best part? Dipping in a hot spring after the walk!
Ainu Kotan
Before you head to the next destination, make sure to visit Ainu Kotan located just one block away from the main street.
Ainu is the indigenous people of Hokkaido, and Ainu Kotan means “Ainu community“ in their language. Akan is home to about 120 Ainu people, which is one of the biggest Ainu communities in Hokkaido. In Ainu Kotan here, you can find many Ainu traditional craft shops, as well as museum and theater exhibitions to learn about Ainu’s unique culture and history.
Useful Resources
✨Traveling to Eastern Hokkaido? Grab my Eastern Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Planning a winter trip? Check out my Winter Hokkaido Travel Planner
✨Stuck in your trip planning? Ask for my Local Expert Advice
THAT’S ALL!
Hope you enjoyed this 3-day Akan winter itinerary without a car! I’d love to hear from you, whether it’s feedback or questions - Reach out to me on my Facebook page or Instagram. We also have Eastern Hokkaido Travel Group on Facebook where you can ask questions or share experiences about trips to Eastern Hokkaido. Join us!
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