Overview
Akan Mashu National Park is a national park located on the island of Hokkaidō, Japan. Along with Daisetsuzan National Park, these are the two oldest national parks in Hokkaidō. The park was established on December 4, 1934.
Description
Akan National Park, designated in 1934 and covering 905 sq km, was one of Japan's first national parks. It's home to volcanic peaks, several large caldera lakes, thick forests of Sakhalin spruce, herds of sika deer, rejuvenating onsen, and a small Ainu kotan (village). While the mountains are obviously a draw for hikers, those less inclined (and traveling by car) can drive out to a number of excellent lookout points around the park. Akan is an area of volcanic craters and forests, covering 90,481 hectares.