The Forest of Light - Lake Akan, Ainu Kotan, Akan Mashu National Park

📍 Locations in this video (in order):
00:00 Roadside Station "Papas-land Sattsuru"
00:19 Kami no Ko Ike
00:43 Iozan Mokmok Base
01:09 Soba Doraku
01:18 Kawayu Onsen
01:30 Lake Mashu Observatory No.3
01:50 Lake Mashu Observatory No.1
02:05 Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace
02:10 Roadside Station Mashu Onsen
02:13 Kamuy Lumina
03:08 Ainu Guided Forest Tour (The Forest Of Light)
03:53 Ainu Village
04:24 Forest of Good Fortune Shopping Street
04:40 Akan Sightseeing Cruise
05:28 Marimo Exhibition and Observation Center
05:49 Bokke Walking Trail
06:07 Lake Onneto
06:35 Akan Yuku No Sato Tsuruga

Deep within Akan-Mashu National Park lies a realm of active geothermal vents, crystal-clear volcanic lakes, and rich indigenous folklore. In this fourth chapter, we explore the living culture of the Ainu people and the natural wonders surrounding Lake Akan.

We begin our journey at Kami no Ko Ike (Pond of the Gods), marveling at its intense cobalt-blue waters fed by subterranean springs, before moving to the steaming volcanic landscape of Mt. Iozan (Atosanupuri). After stopping for local handmade soba in Kawayu Onsen, we drive the winding road up to the crater rim to take in the breathtaking panorama of Lake Mashu from Observatory No. 3, No. 1, and the scenic Kamuy Terrace.

As night falls over Lake Akan, we step into Kamuy Lumina, an immersive multimedia night walk through the illuminated forest that brings local Ainu mythologies to life.

The following morning, an Ainu guide leads us on an intimate, spiritual walk through "The Forest of Light," sharing ancient traditions and the deep connection between Ainu culture and the land. This tour completely exceeded our expectations and made our stay in Lake Akan so much more meaningful and enriching with the cultural context of the area. We then explore Ainu Kotan village and the vibrant Forest of Good Fortune shopping street, lined with traditional woodcarving artisan shops.

We also managed to catch a performance at the Ainu Theatre. While photos and videos are strictly prohibited inside, it was a memorable experience and something we highly recommend watching at least once!

We wrap up our time around Lake Akan taking a sightseeing cruise across the lake to view the rare, protected Marimo spherical moss balls, tracking the bubbling geothermal mud vents along the Bokke Walking Trail, and admiring the shifting colors of Lake Onneto before returning to our resort.

Our stay at Akan Yuku No Sato Tsuruga turned out to be one of our absolute favorite resort experiences in Japan, offering unbelievable variety and attention to detail at its price point. Beyond its 20+ different hot spring baths (including two outdoor baths directly facing Lake Akan), the resort features three distinct dining concepts—where we indulged in both a Teppanyaki Kaiseki featuring Hokkaido crab and wagyu, and a traditional Kaiseki dinner featuring local Kushiro whale. To top it off, the hotel bar serves rare Akkeshi whiskies (including small-batch and single-cask expressions) that are nearly impossible to find outside of establishments neighboring the Akkeshi region!

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