Akan-Mashu National Park

Akan-Mashu National Park in eastern Hokkaido spans two distinct sections around volcanic caldera lakes. Lake Akan is the only place in the world where spherical marimo algae form naturally into balls up to 30 centimeters across. On the Mashu side, whooper swans winter on Lake Kussharo beside natural hot springs, and Mt. Io's sulfur vents release steam through bright yellow fumaroles. The Ainu people have lived here for centuries, and their cultural presence continues at Akanko Ainu Kotan village and the Kussharo Kotan museum.