With its villages of indigenous Ainu people, ancient forests and incredible natural phenomena, Akan-Mashu is a national park of significant cultural importance.

It's best known for its three volcanic lakes. Lake Akan is famous for its marimo, a rare algae that forms into ball shapes. Marimo are displayed year-round in the Akankohan Eco-museum Center. The park's other volcanic lakes are the vast Lake Kussharo, the largest caldera lake in Japan, and Lake Mashu, said to have some of the clearest waters in the world. This less-explored corner of Japan presents an excellent chance to explore an active volcano, Mount Io.

Discover Akan-Mashu through hikes, cycling tours, lake cruises and numerous other outdoor activities.