Akan & Kushiro Area: Waterways, Ainu Culture and Local Cuisine
3-DAY
DIFFICULTY
JPY 180,000
3 days 2 nights
Min. 2
River Canoe
Hiking
- HIGHTLIGHTS
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- Ainu cultural insights
- A guided walk through the Mystical Forest
- Mouthwatering local cuisine
- LOCATION
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Akan & Kushiro Area
OVERVIEW
Waterways, Ainu culture and local cuisine shape this three-day, two-night journey into the wild heart of Kushiro and Akan. You will launch your canoe on Lake Kussharo and glide down the pristine headwaters of the Kushiro River, feeling the pulse of the region’s rich waterways firsthand, before feasting on robatayaki (seafood and vegetables grilled over an open charcoal hearth), Kushiro’s signature dish. Next, you will explore the sweeping Kushiro Marsh on foot and immerse yourself in Ainu culture as you watch captivating traditional dances at the Akanko Ainu Kotan (Ainu village). On the final day, you will step into the Mystical Forest, a protected sanctuary with restricted access, and discover the deep bond between nature and the people who live alongside it. Rich in untamed wilderness and living culture, this soul-stirring adventure will leave you deeply fulfilled.
ITINERARY
DAY 1
Headwater Canoeing and Kushiro's Signature Robatayaki
From Tancho Kushiro Airport, you will head straight to Lake Kussharo and paddle the lush, wild headwaters of the Kushiro River by canoe. After your adventure on the water, you will travel into Kushiro City, where an evening of robatayaki awaits. Take your time and savor this fireside cuisine, a distinctive specialty you will find nowhere else.
DAY 2
From the Kushiro Marsh to Akan, Where Ainu Culture Lives On
Set out on foot across the vast Kushiro Marsh, then journey on to Lake Akan. Today, you will dive deep into traditional Ainu culture: wander through the Akanko Ainu Kotan, chat with artisans in its folk craft shops, and watch spellbinding traditional dances. In the evening, unwind at your inn in Akanko Onsen and let the soothing waters melt away the day’s fatigue.
DAY 3
Exploring Akan's Mystical Forest With a Certified Guide
Venture into Akan’s Mystical Forest, a pristine sanctuary closed to the general public, and gain a deep understanding of the bond between this untouched wilderness and the Ainu people. Then, still basking in the afterglow of the great outdoors and rich culture, you will make your way back to Tancho Kushiro Airport, bringing your three-day journey to a close.
MEAL
| Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Not included | Mashu soba (local specialty buckwheat noodles) | Robatayaki (local specialty) |
| 2 | Hotel buffet | Ainu cuisine | Hotel buffet |
| 3 | Hotel buffet | Not included |
ACCOMMODATIONS
| Area | Facility Type | Room Type | Onsen / Spa | WiFi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel in Kushiro City | Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with hot spring bath in Akanko Onsen |  |
Tour Operator / Contact
TOBU TOP TOURS Co.,LTD
- Official web site
https://tobutoptours.com/en/
2020spk@tobutoptours.co.jp
Awareness of environmentally friendly action and the protection of our precious nature has always been at the core of our corporate philosophy. We feel that we need to do more than our obligations to ensure that our business and participants have a positive impact on the community.
Our important goal is also to encourage guests to spend more time in Hokkaido’s natural environment, protecting the natural environment and taking action to respect the indigenous culture.
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