Akanko Onsen (Part 1)

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(Sept 13) The Lake Akan hot springs resort is a small community surrounded by the forests of Akan National Park.

Akanko

A sightseeing boat that travels around Lake Akan is a popular attraction.
Akan Cruise Boat

Akanko from Lake

The high point of the cruise is a stop at an island in the middle of the lake…
Akan View from Island

…which features an exhibit of marimo, spherical blobs of algae that grow in the lake, which the Japanese apparently find fascinating.
Girl Watching Marimo

Marimo

Marimo2

Little marimo are sold in jars in souvenir shops all over Hokkaido, so you can take them home and raise them as pets.

Marimo Jars

I am told that they will grow very large when supplied with fresh water and artificial light. I wouldn’t recommend them for American tourists though. Probably Customs would take a dim view of them.

These things are the inspiration for the popular marimokkori dolls that are also sold all over Hokkaido.

Fighters Marimokkori

Marimokkori

Akan Lake Shore

The New Akan Hotel Shangri-La is one of the larger hotels.
New Akan Hotel

In spite of its name, it is a ryokan. There are no western-style hotels in Akanko, and very few foreigners.

The ceiling of the lobby features an elaborate light show.

The video doesn’t do a good job of conveying the scale. Those things on the side are balconies that look down on the lobby, and those are three transparent elevator shafts at the far end.

An outdoor footbath where passers-by can wash their feet in hot spring water.
Akan Footbath

The water is just pleasantly warm.
Akan Footbath 2

If you didn’t bring a towel there is, of course, a handy vending machine.
Towel Vending Machine

There are many easy trails running through the woods.
Akan Trail

Akan Warning Sign

A bokke (a large pool of gently bubbling hot mud.)
Bokke

The entrance to the Inari (fox god) Shrine is a very steep series of steps running up the side of a hill.
Inari Shrine Entrance

Inari Shrine Torii

The interior of the shrine is quite small, almost lost among the huge trees, which seems appropriate for a forest spirit.
Inari Shrine

By contrast, the Mt. Akan Shrine near the center of the town is much larger, able to hold a crowd of people during a festival.
Akan Shrine Entrance

Akan Shrine Steps

Akan Shrine

The town also has a small Buddhist temple.
Shotokuji Temple

Akan Jizos

There are a number of small hot spring fountains along the town’s main street, suitable for handwashing.
Akan Hand Washing Spring

Akan Hand Washing Spring

Akan Hand Washing Spring

All posts from this trip.