This nostalgic journey aims to revisit the destination of my first overseas trip in 2005.
That year marked my first time traveling abroad, my first visit to Japan, and my first trip to Hokkaido.
The first place I stayed overnight was at Lake Akan in Kushiro.
In Kushiro, I had two main goals: to enjoy ice cream near the Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve and to visit Lake Akan Onsen Street.
We drove to the famous Japanese Crane Reserve in Kushiro.
Actually, our target was the shop next to it.
We just wanted to try the ice cream here.
I still remember my first visit to Japan in 2005, and it was right here.
My first purchase in Japan.
My first ice cream…
The price has remained the same since then—¥250.
However, the taste seems a bit different from what I remember…
It feels like the milk powder flavor is stronger now.
After finishing the ice cream, we drove to Lake Akan.
Back then (2005), it was my first overnight stay in Japan, and I stayed at a hot spring hotel.
But this time, we were just passing by.
Our car happened to stop next to the Akandake Shrine, so we went up to take a look.
There was no one around, and no souvenirs for sale, so we quickly left.
Lake Akan manhole cover.
There are Ainu performances here, along with many indigenous sculptures.
Lake Akan shore.
There is a Studio Ghibli specialty store here.
It’s said to be the only authorized store in Hokkaido.
Ainu Village
Owl ashtray.
There are many craft shops here.
A huge owl statue.
That’s my travelogue of revisiting Lake Akan Onsen Street.
Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve (Official Website)
Phone: +81-154-56-2219
Business Hours: April 10th to Health and Sports Day / 9:00-18:00
Day following Health and Sports Day to April 9th / 9:00-16:00
Mapcode：630 504 634
Address: 112, Tsuruoka, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido
Map:
Lake Akan Park (LakeAkan Travel Guide)
Phone: 0154-67-3200
Mapcode：739 341 792*82
Address: 2-6-20 Lake Akan Onsen, Akan Town, Kushiro City, Hokkaido
Map:
『Original Source：https://nicklee.tw/1327/akan-onsen-street/』
