Bus rides with no other passengers, between Lake Akan and Kushiro, Hokkaido

Not only the city was that quiet, but also on my both bus rides between the city and Lake Akan there wasn't any other passenger.  Looks like my chartered buses.  The photo 1/2 show a very nice bus with a wide seat and all with aisle access. 

The ground floor, Tsuruga hotel Lake Akan, Hokkaido

This hotel is connected to its sister property Tsuruga Wings (a newer one).  So in the corridor there is a nice art gallery showing quite many art pieces.  Then in the old building there are some local souvenir shops.  What caught my eyes is a Pioneer speaker (photo 4).  This Pioneer logo was at least 30-40 years old.    

Ainu village, Lake Akan, Kushiro, Hokkaido

Ainu is the native culture of Hokkaido.  The Japanese Gov't is now urging for "harmonious with local culture".  Very beautifying for their occupying the place.  Ainu is quite notable in Kushiro.  Couldn't see Ainu much in other Hokkaido cities or towns.

Breakfast and dinner at Tenga restaurant, Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga, Lake Akan, Hokkaido

The meals (half board for breakfast and dinner) served by this restaurant are very disappointing.  The sashimi is the worst I have ever tried in Japan.  It's also in a stark contrast to its sub-brands in Lake Shikotsu and Jozankei.  If I visited this headquarters of Tsuruga chain, I might have just deleted this brand without bothering to try the ones in Lake Shikotsu.  

Marimo, algae balls in Lake Akan, Kushiro, Hokkaido

This green ball plant is called Marimo - a very primitive algae and famous to be found in Lake Akan and the other place to be found is in Iceland.  Noted these 2 places are active with volcanoes.  So this beautiful specie witnessed how life could take place.

Tsuruga check-in, Lake Akan, Kushiro, Hokkaido

It's the first thing I have ever seen a hotel being quite thoughtful for having a pair of eye glasses at the check-in front desk, though not many guests would use it.  Besides, the hotel's symbolic icon "tsuruga (crane)" takes a warm note on the desk.

Standard room, Akan Yuku No Sato Tsuruga, Lake Akan, Hokkaido

Its sister property in Lake Shikotsu led me to try their other branches and further back to its original place in Lake Akan.  Tsuruga has 5 properties in Lake Akan, from luxury to a simple lodge.  This one is in the mid-range.  A standard room with half board for 2 is about HK$2,300 net a night.  The room is pretty spacious in Japanese style.

Mud volcanoes, Lake Akan, Kushiro, Hokkaido

On the north east cape of the Akan hotel area, there are several spots of mud volcanoes.  As when I started to smell a strong sulphur, I knew I was approaching those.  Also noted on the frozen water, there are some spots.  There are warning signs those mud volcanoes are over 100 degree celsius.

The sacred might owls, Lake Akan/Kushiro, Hokkaido

From the airport, to the hotel and in the town, I can see night owls being highly respected by the local Ainu people (the primitive local people, before Japan or Edo era were there).  Some of sculptures remind me of those I saw in Vancouver or other American local Indian culture.  I guess it may be all related and see how the ancient Asians migrated en-route Hokkaido thousand years ago.

Lake Akan from 10am to 5pm, Kushiro, Hokkaido