Things to do in Lake Akan

Hanna, the guide for me today, was very informative and attentive. Everything’s on time, credit to others in our group as well. Even it’s not the full red autumn, nothing disappointed me today. If you’re interested to join this tour, don’t hesitate, it’s really worth it!

Joe is an excellent, wonderful guide. Very kind and caring. Tour was filled with wonderful stops. Wish we could have stayed longer at each stop they were so amazing! 10/10 recommend this tour for all the must see places in hokkaido.

We had a wonderful day trip exploring Noboribetsu Hell Valley, Lake Toya, Mount Usu, and the Bear Ranch. A huge shoutout to our guide, Lucy, who was so informative and went out of her way to help us get some wonderful photos. The sights were a real highlight and made for a fantastic day out. The only minor drawback was the transport, as the bus felt a bit cramped for a long-distance journey. Making the seating a bit more spacious would make the ride much more comfortable, but overall it was a really memorable experience thanks to Lucy and the amazing itinerary!

I took the trip with hide cai. I liked the pace and the sites were what I wanted to see. The tour guide spoke English well and was able to provide valuable information about the sites that we visited. The weather also cooperated today and we did not encounter any rain.

With limited tour option from Kushiro, we opted for this private car tour. Once booked, I was invited into a WhatsApp Group chat with the agency to reconfirm my booking and whether we have decided on the route. As first timer in Kushiro, I asked for their guidance but the response was not helpful at all, so we decided not to prolong the conversation and follow the default route. On D-day, the driver was polite, but on the way back, he started driving like he’s in a rush (we’re on time and return few minutes early). The car cleanliness can also be improved by vacuuming and emptying the dirty crumpled tissue. Other than the service, the view was good.

Purchasing tickets for the Lake Akan sightseeing cruise through Klook was incredibly convenient. We simply presented the QR code at the pier's ticket counter to quickly exchange it for physical tickets. The process was smooth and easy, completely avoiding long queues or time constraints. Even better, the tickets aren't tied to a specific departure time; you can board any boat before the last one, which offers great flexibility for planning your itinerary. The ability to redeem tickets at either pier is also very convenient for travelers. The cruise ship itself has a modern appearance, and the cabin is clean and comfortable, featuring family seating, a tatami area, and a children's play area. Although there isn't a snack bar, the overall atmosphere is cozy. During the journey, the boat sailed deep into Lake Akan, then circled along the shoreline. The lake water was clear, surrounded by lush green mountains and swaying reeds along the banks, creating a beautiful natural landscape. Midway, we stopped at Churui Island, where I disembarked to visit the Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center. The exhibit showcased various sizes of rare and adorable spherical green algae balls. Although the visit time was limited, I was still able to admire them up close and take photos. Finally, the sightseeing boat slowly returned to the pier, concluding this pleasant lake journey. It's worth noting that in July, the temperature at Lake Akan is only in the low 50s Fahrenheit (around 10-19 degrees Celsius), and with the strong winds on the lake, it feels even colder. If you plan to enjoy the lake view or waves from the outer deck, be sure to bring warm clothing; otherwise, you'll have to view the scenery from inside the cabin through the windows.

Great trip, everything went smoothly, we stopped at a lots of view points and could also do sone walking along Oirase stream, and on top of Hakkoda. The driver was very attentive. I was in a small group of 4 people. We stopped shortly at some other viewpoints and the museum of snow walk disaster on the way back. The steaming buns “butt onsen” was a nice surprise.

Today I joined the day tour led by Hikaru. The guide was very friendly and humorous 👍. The first stop was Jozankei Onsen; the leaves are starting to turn red and the scenery is beautiful. The second stop was Hoheikyo Dam, which was my favorite part of the itinerary. We were extremely lucky today with wonderful weather, and the photos turned out amazing! The third stop was Lake Toya Observatory, where we quickly picked up some souvenirs and overlooked the brilliant blue Lake Toya from above. The fourth stop was Showa-shinzan Bear Ranch. Due to time constraints and the attitude of "since we're already here," buying the ropeway ticket was an extra expense, but I highly recommend going up the mountain! We didn't have enough time to see the brown bears this time, saving that for next time ~ The last stop was Mt. Yotei Spring Water Park. Although we arrived at 3:40 PM and the sun was already setting, we managed to collect the 6.5°C spring water that our guide Hikaru kept recommending to take home 👍. Even though the time spent at each stop was limited, Hikaru introduced everything along the way in a humorous and relaxed bilingual (Chinese/English) manner, making the whole day's experience very pleasant! Highly recommend the guide Hikaru 👍 Thank you.

I brought my friends along, and we all had a great time. The drive wasn't short, but the multiple stops for rest and breaks made it manageable. For some attractions, we had the option to purchase tickets to enter, and there was no pressure to do so. The driver was very kind and always gave us timely reminders for meeting times.