[2 days, 1 night] Hot springs, workcation and activities at Lake Akan! A recommended course to fully enjoy Kushiro in winter

Ambassador Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. Yuko Yoshinaga

Hello everyone! My name is Yuko Yoshinaga and I am the new JAL Hometown Ambassador for the Eastern Hokkaido region starting this July.
The reason he became a JAL Hometown Ambassador was because he fell in love with Tsurui Village and Kushiro through his work to protect the red-crowned cranes, and has since visited the area many times.
This time, Yoshinaga, who loves Tsurui Village and Kushiro, will introduce a model itinerary for winter Akanko Onsen, sightseeing and gourmet spots recommended by him!

05:40 Morning Cafe Tour

Wouldn't it be wonderful to drink a hot morning coffee as the sun rises on Lake Akan, where temperatures can sometimes drop to minus 20 degrees? This is a special tour that can only be experienced at this time of year. Although it's a little early, the beautiful views of Lake Akan and Mount Oakan are amazing!
If you're lucky, you might see some beautiful natural phenomena like frost flowers and ice bubbles!

Tsuruga Adventure Base SIRI

09:00 Recommended activities at Lake Akan in winter (①Bokke snowshoeing, ②Wakasagi fishing)

Why not take this time to enjoy some winter activities that are unique to Lake Akan?
If you want to fully enjoy nature, we recommend the Bokke Snowshoe Experience. Snowshoes are short, wide skis that allow you to walk on snow. Wearing these snowshoes, you can explore the Akan forest in winter while visiting places such as "Bokke", which are mud vents caused by volcanic gases!
If you want to enjoy an activity on the lake, try fishing for wild smelt. You drill a hole in the ice on the lake, which is over 1m thick on average, and drop a fishing line through it to catch smelt, a specialty of Lake Akan. Fishing is easy even for beginners, and it's a lot of fun! You can also have the smelt you catch made into tempura. Fish that you've caught yourself are always delicious!

①Tsuruga Adventure Base SIRI

②Ice Land Akan

12:00 Lake Akan specialty: smelt tempura

Speaking of winter Lake Akan gourmet, the smelt caught in the lake is definitely something to try.
At the local cuisine restaurant "Nabekyu," we recommend the smelt tempura set meal and smelt tempura bowl.
You can also enjoy other Lake Akan fish besides smelt, such as rainbow trout sashimi and salt-grilled kokanee salmon, as well as homemade, hand-made soba noodles, so this is a restaurant you can enjoy to the fullest even after smelt fishing!

Local cuisine Nabekyu

Approximately 110 minutes by car

15:15 Crane roost "Otoha Bridge"

On the first day, we observed the red-crowned cranes at the feeding grounds. This is a famous "roost" where the cranes return to rest their wings after a day spent there. As dusk approaches, the cries of the cranes can be heard from afar, and the cranes return from all directions. This is the perfect moment to take a photo! This is a wonderful place where you can capture on camera the graceful flight of flocks and families of cranes, or cranes standing by the river.

Approximately 15 minutes by car

16:30 Tsurui Village Moor Hot Springs and Venison Cuisine

At the end of the trip, you can enjoy a moor hot spring. Moor hot springs contain organic matter such as ancient plants, and are a rare type of spring that is dark in color. However, the water feels smooth and silky on the skin, which is very pleasant! At HOTEL TAITO's "Bijin no Yu," you can enjoy this moor hot spring directly from the source!
After the hot spring, we had dinner at WADA MASAHIRO ART SQUARE, located next to the hotel. The owner of HOTEL TAITO, who is also a photographer, exhibits and sells his own work here, and also has a cafe and bar. In the evening, you can enjoy local delicacies, including venison dishes. The food prepared by the owner himself is exquisite!

HOTEL TAITO

*JAL Hometown Support Team (flight attendants) will guide you around Hokkaido.
Watch the video here

*This article was created with the cooperation of the Hokkaido Tourism Organization.

Have an extraordinary experience in Hokkaido in winter! Adventure travel in Lake Akan