Akan Lake is located near the city of Kushiro, in eastern Hokkaido. The entire lake is a part of the Akan National Park, which is a representative sightseeing spot of eastern Hokkaido. The volcanic mountain Mount Akanko is located on the eastern side of Akan Lake. This lake formed in the crater of the mountain caldera, and is not fed by any river nor has any river leading out of it. Later, the lake divided into two parts following the eruption of Mount Akanko. The present Akan Lake is one of these. It is internationally famous and is registered in the Ramsar Convention as an important wetland. The lake is the habitat of flora and fauna that have been recognized as special national treasures, such as marimo, a rare algae that forms into balls,and the Japanese crane. Also, the lake is where fishes like blue-black salmon and kokanee spawn. The lake freezes in winter. People come here to ice-skating and fish for a species of local smelt (Hypomesus olidus). Furthermore, near by is the largest settlement for Ainu people, where you can see traditional culture. It is also famous for hot pools, and 1.6 million tourists visit the lake every year.