Mount Meakan
雌阿寒岳
An active volcano (1,499 m) and one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. From the summit you can see a smoking crater and blue crater lakes. The round trip takes about 5 hours.
Mount Meakan rises to 1,499 m. It is an active volcano in the Akan area and one of Japan's 100 Famous Mountains. From the summit you look down on the Nakamachineshi crater, which emits white smoke, and on Aonuma and Akanuma, the crater lakes. To the east is Mount Akan-Fuji, which has the shape of Mount Fuji. The usual routes start from the Meakan Onsen trailhead or the Nonaka Onsen trailhead, and the round trip takes about 4.5 to 5 hours. You can also start from Onneto. The mountain is covered in loose rock, so proper hiking gear is needed. When the Japan Meteorological Agency issues a volcanic alert level of 2 or higher, the summit area is closed to visitors, so be sure to check before setting out. Meakan Onsen is about 25 minutes by car from Akan Lake Onsen.
Opening hours
Climbing season approx. Jun–Oct (depends on volcanic alert level)
Nearby sights
- Lake Onneto
- Akanko Ainu Kotan
- Bokke Mud Volcano
- Lake Akan
- Sokodai Observatory
- Akan International Crane Center "Grus"
- Bihoro Pass
- Tsurui-Ito Tancho Crane Sanctuary