| Akan Mashu National Park | |
|---|---|
| 阿寒摩周国立公園 | |
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
 Lake Mashū (2008) | |
  Akan Mashu National Park Location of Akan Mashu National Park Show map of Hokkaido Akan Mashu National Park Akan Mashu National Park (Japan) Show map of Japan | |
| Location | Hokkaido,Japan |
| Nearest city | Teshikaga |
| Coordinates | 43°32′40″N144°17′1″E / 43.54444°N 144.28361°E /43.54444; 144.28361 |
| Area | 914.13 km2 (352.95 sq mi) |
| Established | December 4, 1934 |
| Governing body | Ministry of the Environment |
Akan Mashu National Park (阿寒摩周国立公園,Akan Mashū Kokuritsu Kōen) is anational park located on the island ofHokkaido,Japan. Along withDaisetsuzan National Park, these are the two oldest national parks inHokkaido.[1] The park was established December 4, 1934.[2][3]
Akan is an area of volcanic craters and forests, covering 90,481 hectares (904.81 km2).[2][3] The park is famous for its crystal clear lakes, its hot springs, and its largemarimo. It is the only place where marimo of appreciable size form naturally in Japan.
The park can be divided into two general areas, Kawayu and Akan.[4]
Mount Iō and the KawayuOnsen offer natural hotsprings and sulphurfumaroles. AroundLake Kussharo,[2] a caldera lake, areBihoro Pass,Mount Mokoto, andMount Nishibetsu. At the lake, Wakoto Peninsula is an area with high ground temperatures and uniquely adapted wildlife.[4]Lake Mashū is acaldera lake.[2] It is one of the clearest lakes in the world with visibility up to 40 meters.
Akan Caldera is a large caldera over 20 km across. Emerging from within caldera is theAkan Volcanic Complex, which includes the highest mountain in the park,Mount Meakan.[2] The lake also features boiling mud, calledbokke. Churui island is one of four islands in the lake and the site of the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center.Lake Onnetō is at the foot of Mount Meakan. Nearby is a hot water waterfall,Onnetō Yu-no-taki. From Sokodai, one can observeLake Penketo andLake Panketo.Mount Hakuto Observatory,Mount Kikin,Tsurumi Pass, and Akan Lakeside Observatory offer panoramas of the surrounding countryside. On theAkan River people view the mouth of the riverTakiguchi as it flows into Lake Akan from Takimi Bridge. The area also offersLake Jiro andLake Taro.[5]
