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What’s Kind of Mountain about Mt.Meakandake (雌阿寒岳)
Elevation : 1,499 m
Location : Kushiro City Hokaidō, Japan
Mountans : Akan (阿寒)
Highest Temperature (June-August) : 14.9℃
Lowest Temperature (June-August) : 1℃
Mt.Meakandake (雌阿寒岳) is an active volcano with an altitude of 1,499 m located in the Akan Mountain Area between Kushiro City and Ashoro Town. “100 Fomaous Japanese Mountains” has also been selected, in Ainu language is also called “Ponmachineshiri”. Also, even in the mountain of Hokkaido the mountain trail is relatively well maintained, the view from the course is also a nice attractive mountain.
Powerful Crater Waching from The Top of Mt.Meakandake
A magnificent view overlooking from Akan Lake is wonderful, but the crater which can be seen from the top of Mt.Meakan is a spot where you can experience the active lively volcano while smelling sulfur around.
Weather and Volcanic Activity of Akan-dake
Mt.Akan is an active volcano. Let’s prepare thoroughly so that you can check the weather information and the volcanic activity in advance and enjoy climbing safely.
Click here for weathet information of Akan
Click here for the volcanic activity of Akan
Are There Bears at Mt. Akan?
Beers don’t seem to be witnessed much around Mt. Meaka.
But you must must be carefully. In order to avoid mutual unfortunate circumstances for both the bear and the human, let ‘s enjoy hiking with correct knowledge about the ecology and habits of the bears.
3 main hiking routes with peace of mind to beginners
Here, I will introduce Mt.Akan’s most common main hiking routes which is also recommended for beginner’s hikers.
Meakan Hot Spring Course (雌阿寒温泉コース)
Distance：5.8 km
Total Time：3 hours and 40 minutes
Elevation Difference：794 m
Schedule：Day-hike
Difficuly：★☆☆☆☆
Meakan Hot Spring Trailhead (雌阿寒温泉登山口) 30 minutes → 2nd.Station (二合目) 40 minutes → 5th.station (五合目) 45 minutes → 8th.station (八合目) 25 minutes →the top of Mt. Meakan (雌阿寒岳山頂) 15 minutes → 8th.station (八合目) 25 minutes → 5th.station (五合目) 20 minutes → 2nd.Station (二合目) 20 minutes → Meakan Hot Spring Trailhead (雌阿寒温泉登山口)
Onnetō Course (オンネトーコース)
Distance：8.1 km
Total Time：5 hours
Elevation Difference：857 m
Schedule：Day-hike
Difficuly：★☆☆☆☆
Onnetō Trailhead (オンネトー登山口) 30 minutes → 2nd.Station (二合目) 30 minutes → 5th.station (五合目) 60 minutes → 7th.station (八合目) 20 minutes → 8th.station Branch of Mt. Akanfuji (八合目 阿寒富士分岐) 40 minutes → the top of Mt. Meakan (雌阿寒岳山頂) 15 minutes → 8th.station Branch of Mt. Akanfuji (八合目 阿寒富士分岐) 15 minutes → 7th.station (七合目) 45 minutes → 5nd.Station (五合目) 20 minutes → 2nd.Station (二合目) 20 minutes → Meakan Hot Spring Trailhead (雌阿寒温泉登山口)
Onnetō Course departing from the campground and heading to the top, although it is steep, the distance is short and can climb in a short time. On the way, you can also go via Mt. Akanfuji if you have time to spare.
Akan Hot Spring Course (阿寒温泉コース)
Distance：12.3 km
Total Time：5 hours and a half
Elevation Difference：764 m
Schedule：Day-hike
Difficuly：★★☆☆☆
Meakandake Trailhead (雌阿寒岳登山口) 50 minutes → 859 m 45 minutes → 1000m 40 minutes → 1166m 30 minutes → 1332m 30 minutes → the top of Mt. Meakan (雌阿寒岳山頂) 20 minutes → 1332m 25 minutes → 1166m 25 minutes → 1000m 30 minutes → 859m 35 minutes → Meakandake Trailhead (雌阿寒岳登山口) 50 minutes
Although it is the longest distance among the three mountaineering routes of Mt. Meakandake, the gradient is relatively loose, and it is a route that can climb slowly while enjoying the powerful volcanic landscape.
On the way you can also enjoy alpine plants such as Arenaria merckioides.
About Mt. Akandake’s Winter · Snow Cover Season
Mt. Akandake’s climbing optimum season is from late May to late October. Since the temperature is sometimes below freezing even in June, let’s go for climbing with enough equipment! Snowy season is popular because it can enjoy different scenery. The pure white volcano is spectacular.
Access to Trailhead · Parking information
Public Transport
Kushiro Station, Kushiro Airport – (Bus: Akan Bus) – Akanko Onsen ━ (Taxi) ━ Meakandake Hot Spring Trailhead, Onetxō National Campsite, Lake Akan Mountain Trailhead
Click here for Akan Bus timetable and fare
Coming by a Car
① Meakan Hot Spring Public Parking Lot
National Route 240 – National Highway 241 – Prefectural Highway 664 – Meakan Hot Spring Public Parking Lot
For both Kushiro station and Kushiro airports, go north on Route 240 and continue on the road for a while and turn left on National Highway No. 241 which passed by Lake Akan.
Turn left to the prefectural highway No. 664 and go to Meakan Hot Spring, and the place you see on the left is Meakan Hot Spring Public Parking Lot. About 76.5 km to Meakan Hot Spring Public Parking Lot, required time 1 hour 16 minutes.
<Parking Lot Information>
Akan Onsen Public Parking Space (Free)
About 80 units can be stopped.
Address: Moashoro Ashoro Town Ashoro County, Hokkaido
② Onnetō National Parking Lot
National Highway 240 – National Highway 241 – Route 664 – Onnetō National parking lot
Both Kushiro Station and Kushiro Airport, go north on Route 240 and continue on the road for a while and turn left at National Highway No. 241 which passed by Akan Lake.
Turn left to the prefectural highway No. 664 ahead, head towards Meakan Hot Spring, Onnetō Lake over Onnetō The place that you can see on the left turning the tea house is Onnetō National parking lot.
It is approximately 79.8 km to Onnetō National parking lot, required time 1 hour 23 minutes.
<Parking Lot Information>
Onnetō National parking lot parking lot (free)
About 100 units can be stopped.
Address: Moashoro Ashoro-cho Ashoro-gun, Hokkaido
③ Akan Lake Trailhead Parking Lot
National Highway No. 240 – Lake Akan Trailhead Parking Lot
For both Kushiro Station and Kushiro Airport, go north on Route 240 and continue along the road for a while, then after passing Akan Lake, turn left immediately and after a while Lake Akan Trailhead Parking Lot.
Approximately 64.7 km to Lake Akan Trailhead Parking Lot, required time 1 hour 40 minutes.
<Parking Lot Information>
Lake Akan Trailhead Parking Lot (Free)
About four units can be stopped.
Address: Moashoro Ashoro Town Ashoro County, Hokkaido
Roundup of Mt.Akan
Mt.Akandake is one of the nine mountains “100 famous Japanese Mountains” in Hokkaido, which is lowest in altitude and less required for both difficulty and physical strength, so it is a mountain that is easy for beginners to challenge.
Let’s enjoy the natural environment of Akan by selecting the route that suits you!
Experienced people also recommend a route to climb via Mt.Akanfuji nearby.
【Points to note when climbing】
· Please haiking with a solid training on climbing equipment. Mountain climbing shoes, thick socks, rain gear up and down, cold weather protection, head lamp, hat, zack, quick-drying clothes, food, water etc.
· There are several climbing routes, so there are many branches so maps and compasses are indispensable.
· Just in case, do not forget mountain climbing notification and mountain insurance!
· These courses will change difficulty level depending on climbing experience, physical strength, weather etc. Please make reference only, please make a reasonable plan according to your own physical fitness and enjoy climbing.
