Welcome to the winter wonderland and is time to play outside! (#1 Kushiro Marshland Canoe)
Time flies and only two months left in this year!
The autumn leaves are withered and the Lake Akan Onsen area, where Kamuy Lumina is held, is one of the fastest areas in Japan to enter winter.
We will have a very cold and long winter from now on, but you can still experience a lot of outdoor activities here! Hokkaido may come to your mind as the best place for skiing and snowboarding, but in fact, there are a lot of different activities available in winter as there are in summer!
This week, we will introduce you to some of the must-do activities in Lake Akan and the surrounding area in winter!
Ride a canoe and enjoy the silence and stunning scenery at a river inside a marshland!
![](/klwp/media/2023/11/DSC08908-scaled.jpg)
Kushiro City where Lake Akanko Onsen is located, has Japan's largest marshland, Kushiro Marshland.
The ecosystem created by this unique geographical environment is a must-see for nature lovers. In addition, the Kushiro River that runs through Kushiro Marshland is a year-round playground for canoeists.
You may not think of canoeing as a winter activity, but unlike summer, you can fully enjoy the winter marshlands and snowy landscapes in winter!
![](/klwp/media/2023/11/DSC08948-scaled.jpg)
The Kushiro River is a very gentle river anyway, and even beginners can experience canoeing with ease.
On days when the temperature is particularly low, there is often a thin layer of ice on both sides of the river, and sometimes animals living in the marshlands can be seen resting on it.
![](/klwp/media/2023/11/DSC08894-scaled.jpg)
Another real attraction of winter canoeing is bird-watching!
In winter, Kushiro Marshland is very easy to spot wildlife especially birds because the leaves are withering, and many migratory birds are living there.
Sometimes, you may even be able to observe Steller's sea eagles and white-tailed sea eagles, which are very rare species in the world!
![](/klwp/media/2023/11/DSC08949-scaled.jpg)
We highly recommend that you bring your own binoculars when you join the canoe tour!
You will be able to see the cute birds resting on the fallen trees in the river or on the surrounding trees!
However, please note that wild birds are very sensitive to sound, so please paddle quietly when canoeing down the river.
![](/klwp/media/2023/11/DSC08551-scaled.jpg)
The red-crowned crane, which is the symbol of Kushiro City, can also be seen as they descend the river in the marshland.
It will be more memorable to observe the largest bird species in Japan's largest marshland.
If you have a zoom lens, please take a look at the beautiful sight of the red-crowned cranes in flight!
![](/klwp/media/2023/11/DSC08943-scaled.jpg)
Canoeing in the marshland in winter is really nice because the air is so clear!
On a windless day, you can enjoy the reflection all over the area and the scenery is great!
![](/klwp/media/2023/11/DSC08759-scaled.jpg)
There are several companies that offer canoe tours in Kushiro Marshland in winter, so if you are interested, please visit the official Kushiro City website for more detailed information!
By the way, participating in the tour in the early morning is most recommended!
The temperature difference around sunrise makes for fantastic foggy ice scenery.
If the weather conditions on the day of the tour are suitable, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery, so it may be hard to wake up early in winter, but it is definitely worth it!
In this episode, we have introduced the Kushiro Marshland winter canoeing experience.
In our next episode, we will return to the Lake Akan Onsen area and introduce some of the contents you can play with in the forests of Lake Akan in winter! Stay tuned!
Kamuy Lumina Event Information
■Where can I buy tickets? How is the opening time?
Tickets are available at the official website, hotels around Lake Akan, "Kamuy Lumina" Ticket Booth, and designated travel agencies.
Fees: Adults (junior high school students and older)
Child (elementary school student)
*Preschool children or below are free of charge.
Official website (Ticket purchase page): https://webket.jp/pc/ticket/index?fc=52386&ac=9000
Starting time changes depending on the sunset time. So be sure to check when planning your trip!
2024 season opening hours:
May 11 (Sat) - August 9 (Fri) 19:30 - 21:00
August 10 (Sat) - August 30 (Fri) 19:00 - 21:00
Asugust 31 (Sat) - September 13 (Friday) 18:30 - 21:30
September 15 (Sun) - September 30 (Mon) 18:00 - 21:30
October 1 (Tue) - November 3 (Sun) 17:30 - 21:00
November 4 (Mon) - November 9 (Sat) 17:30 - 20:30
This special website will provide information not only about "Kamuy Lumina", but also sightseeing information about the town, Lake Akan Onsen, where this event is held. Please check out the latest and seasonal recommendations here.
We will also announce the release of web articles on Facebook and Instagram.
↓ Follow Us ↓
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamuy_lumina/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akan.adventure/
We hope to meet you soon at the event of "Kamuy Lumina"!
AN ENCHANTED NIGHT WALK AT LAKE AKAN
〒085-0467
5-20, Akankoonsen 1-chome, Akancho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido, 085-0467, Japan