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Winter Scenery · Hokkaido

Frozen Lake Akan (Lake Akan in Winter)

Akan-cho, KushiroLake❄ Best season: Early Jan – Late Mar
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Overview

Overview

Lake Akan, a caldera lake known for its marimo moss balls, freezes over in winter and turns into what looks like a vast snowfield. On the frozen lake you can enjoy winter-only activities such as smelt fishing and snowmobiling.

Address
Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro, Hokkaido 085-0467
Official website
https://lake-akan.com/
Official website (English) ↗
Peak Time

When to Go

Best seasonIce Land Akan on the lake runs January–March (varies with ice conditions)
December
January
February
March

Freezing conditions differ from year to year, and the period of events on the ice changes with the state of the ice

Seasons are typical guides. Snow, ice and drift ice depend heavily on each year’s weather.

Highlights

Highlights

Ice Land Akan opens on the frozen lake, where you can try smelt (wakasagi) ice fishing, snowmobiling, skating and more. On cold mornings you may see frost flowers, frost crystals that open like flowers on the ice.

📷 Best views
On the lake (Ice Land Akan)

Stand on the frozen lake and look out over the snowfield-like lake and the surrounding mountains

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Even during ICE Aisu Akan, access to the ice is limited to the event period (until March 1 in 2026)
  • ✓You can check the status of events on the lake with the Akanko Manryu Tourism Association (0154-67-3200)
  • ✓It is a long drive on winter roads, so if you are not used to it, consider public transport or a tour
Access

Getting there

From major stations & airports
  • Tancho Kushiro Airport: Car (About 60 min)
  • Kushiro Station: Car (About 80 min)
Driving & winter roads
Paid parking available
Open in Google Maps ↗
Weather

Temperature & staying warm

Typical temperatures
February normals for Kushiro: high -0.1°C, low -9.4°C (Japan Meteorological Agency). Inland Lake Akan is much colder than central Kushiro and can drop to -20°C
What to wear & bring
Dress for the most extreme cold: a heavy down jacket, insulated pants, a hat, gloves, a neck warmer and snow boots. Hand warmers are also reassuring
☁ Hokkaido weather by month
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Frozen Lake Akan (Lake Akan in Winter)PR

PRSee more places to stay near Frozen Lake Akan (Lake Akan in Winter) on Agoda →

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

Attractions

Attractions in Kushiro & Akan

Zoo

Kushiro Zoological Park

Hokkaido ・ Kushiro & Akan

A city-run zoo about 11 minutes by car from Kushiro Airport. It's open year-round, so you can watch the animals in the snow in winter too. Admission is free for junior high school age and under.

See all attractions →
Winter Scenery

Winter Scenery in Hokkaido

Old town

Otaru Canal in Winter

Hokkaido ・ Otaru

❄ Best season: Early Nov – Late Jan

✦ Illumination
See all winter scenery spots →

Seasons, hours, prices and access are based on official sources such as the spot’s own website, local governments and tourism associations. Winter weather often causes suspensions and road closures, so check the official website before you go.

Last checked: 2026-10-06

PRKlookKushiro & Lake Akan Private Charter (5 or 7 Hours)A private car plan from Kushiro. Besides Lake Akan, you can combine red-crowned crane viewing spots in Tsurui Village, Lake Mashu, Lake Kussharo and moreView