[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!

07:30 Senchan Shokudo Kushiro Fisheries Center Branch

Kushiro's gourmet food is typically enjoyed first thing in the morning! "Kushiro Fisheries Center Branch of Senchan Shokudo" is a restaurant that is popular among locals and where you can eat freshly caught fish from 7am.
There are so many delicious looking dishes on the menu, including a hearty seafood bowl and a grilled fish set meal using Kushiro's brand mackerel, "Kushiro mackerel," that it's hard to choose. This is highly recommended for those who want to enjoy a breakfast of fresh fish at a fishing port!

Approximately 30 minutes by car

09:15 Kushiro City Marsh Observatory and Hokuto Observatory Park

There are several places within the Kushiro area that offer a wide view of the Kushiro Wetlands, which are designated as a national park, but here you can enjoy not only the scenery, but also facilities that allow you to learn about the wetlands in an easy-to-understand manner.
You can learn about the origins and current state of the Kushiro Marsh through exhibits of fish that live in the marsh, a diorama titled "Water Marsh," and a monitor showing live footage of the marsh. The attached museum shop sells straps of animals that symbolize Kushiro, such as red-crowned cranes and owls, as well as cute miscellaneous goods!

Kushiro Marsh Observatory

Approximately 30 minutes by car

11:15 Roadside Station Akan Tancho-no-Sato

On the way from central Kushiro to Lake Akan, there is the Roadside Station Akan Tancho-no-Sato, which has the main facility, Crane's Terrace, as well as a natural hot spring facility and a restaurant, making it a popular destination among locals.
Across the national highway, the Akan International Crane Center Gurusu is a facility where you can learn about the ecology and research of red-crowned cranes. In addition, feeding is carried out during the winter, so you can see more than 100 wild red-crowned cranes at once, which is very impressive!
For lunch, we recommend the red beret restaurant "Tsuru" where you can try Kushiro's signature brand of pork, "Akan Pork"!

Akan International Crane Center Gurus/[Branch] Red-Crowned Crane Observation Center

Restaurant Tsuru

Approximately 50 minutes by car

14:00 Lake Akan Tsuruga Wings (co-working space)

If you are visiting for a workcation or are concerned about work, why not try out the hotel's working facilities before enjoying the hot springs? In the coworking space, which is equipped with a good communication environment and facilities, you can work in a private space where you can concentrate on your work, or in a working booth where you can relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Why not work on the terrace or in the courtyard, feeling the great outdoors of Lake Akan up close, while enjoying an environment you can't experience in the city?

17:00 Akan Yuku Village Tsuruga

Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga, one of the most popular inns in Lake Akan Onsen, boasts a wide variety of rooms and cuisine that lets you enjoy the flavors of Eastern Hokkaido, but the most recommended thing about the inn is the hot springs!
You can enjoy a variety of baths, including an open-air bath overlooking Lake Akan, a garden open-air bath close to the lakeside, a log bath, a cave bath, and more. Soaking in the waters of Lake Akan amid the scenery of nature is sure to relieve the fatigue of travel and daily life, and heal your mind and body.

20:00 Lake Akan Ainu Kotan

After dinner at your inn, why not take a stroll around Ainu Kotan at night? Ainu Kotan is lined with many shops selling Ainu art, such as woodcarvings and folk crafts, run by people who carry on the traditional Ainu culture. Be sure to look for cute, heartwarming handmade souvenirs.
Also, at the Lake Akan Ainu Theater "Ikor", where you can experience traditional Ainu dance, "Lost Kamuy" is being held, which combines traditional and modern dance with digital art. Please enjoy this dynamic performance!

Lake Akan Ainu Theater "Ikor"

*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