Lake Akan, Lake Mashu, and Lake Kussharo Scenic Drive

Drive to see spectacular views of the lakes around Akan-Mashu National Park

This drive takes you around Akan-Mashu National Park's three iconic lakes: Lake Akan, Lake Mashu and Lake Kussharo. Start at Lake Akan's shore and take the Akan-Mashu Odan Road toward Sokodai Observatory, where you can enjoy beautiful views of Mount Oakan, Lake Panketo and Lake Penketo. Continue along the same road until you arrive at Lake Mashu Observatory 1. After taking in views of the pristine Lake Mashu, drive toward Mount Mokoto You can view Lake Kussharo from the Mount Mokoto Lookout and Highland Koshimizu 725. Before you head to Bihoro Pass Observatory, the final destination, enjoy the hot springs of Sunayu Onsen, where you can dig a small bath in the sand, or the open-air Kussharo Kotan Onsen—both set on Lake Kussharo's shores.

Highlights

Lake Akan from the shore

Lake Akan

Lake Akan formed more than 100,000 years ago, but volcanic activity during the last 10,000 years has split it into the present-day Lake Akan, Lake Panketo and Lake Penketo. Lake Akan's shores are dotted with hot springs, and you can take a boat to Takiguchi or Churui Island to see marimo—balls of algae. Akan Lake is the only habitat in the world where large, round marimo can survive.

Lake Mashu

Lake Mashu is set in the Mashu Caldera, which was formed by a powerful eruption 7,000 years ago. Under the thick mist that can often be seen hanging over Lake Mashu lies some of the most transparent water in the world. From Lake Mashu Observatory 1, you can see Kamuishu Island sitting at the center of the lake. Local folklore says the island was once a weary old woman looking for her lost grandchild.

Lake Kussharo from Bihoro Pass Observatory

Lake Kussharo

Lake Kussharo, set at the center of the Kussharo Caldera, is the largest caldera lake in Japan. Observe volcanic activity around the lake at Sunayu Onsen, where hot water wells up if you dig in the sand, and at Oyakotsu Jigoku on the Wakoto Peninsula. This beautiful lake attracts 400 to 500 whooper swans every year. Bihoro Pass Observatory, meanwhile, offers panoramic views of Lake Kussharo, as well as local treats such as bamboo-grass ice cream.

Route Map

Akan-Mashu Lake Drive

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