Mount Oakan Mountain
Active volcano in Hokkaido with crater lakes
A volcanic cone in eastern Hokkaido, Mount Oakan sits near Akan National Park and draws day‑hikers for lake views, crater rims and summer alpine flora.
Mount Oakan at a Glance#
Address: Eastern Hokkaido, near Akan Mashu National Park area (exact trailheads vary)
Hours: Open year‑round (daylight hours)
Admission: Free (trail access); park fees may apply in national park zones
About Mount Oakan#
Mount Oakan is a stratovolcano in eastern Hokkaido, Japan, reaching roughly 1,370 metres and forming part of the Akan volcanic complex.
Hikers use marked trails to reach the crater area and summit ridges; the mountain overlooks Lake Akan and is a distinct feature of the surrounding national park landscape.
The edifice is volcanic in origin and has shaped local topography within the Akan volcanic zone.
It is located in eastern Hokkaido inside Akan Mashu National Park, near the Lake Akan district and the town of Akan.
- Elevation and volcano group: Rises to about 1,370 metres and forms part of the Akan volcanic complex in eastern Hokkaido.
- Access and recreation: Located close to Lake Akan, it is accessed from Akan Mashu National Park and offers marked hiking routes to the crater area in summer and autumn.
How to Get to Mount Oakan#
Access from towns around Akan Mashu National Park; local buses and park services provide seasonal access to trailheads. Check regional transport schedules.
Tips for Visiting Mount Oakan#
- Oakan's alpine terrain is subject to heavy winter snow - plan summer hikes for safer conditions.
- Check local Hokkaido trail reports and bear advisories; carry bear spray where recommended.
- Combine with visits to Akan National Park for a full regional experience.
Best Time to Visit Mount Oakan#
Best in summer for hiking and in autumn for foliage; winter requires snow travel skills.
Weather & Climate near Mount Oakan#
Mount Oakan's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -17°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1317 mm/year), wettest in September.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -17° - -8° | -20° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 95% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.2h |
| February | Poor | -17° - -8° | -20° | 57 mm | partly cloudy | 94% | 4.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Poor | -12° - -4° | -15° | 99 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.4 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -4° - 3° | -6° | 94 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.3h |
| May | Poor | 1° - 9° | 1° | 114 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.4 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.5h |
| June | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 8° | 101 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.2h |
| July | Acceptable | 11° - 17° | 14° | 120 mm | overcast | 86% | 3.2 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.9h |
| August | Acceptable | 12° - 18° | 15° | 163 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.2 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.8h |
| September | Poor | 8° - 14° | 11° | 181 mm | overcast | 84% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 1° - 9° | 2° | 134 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.1 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Poor | -5° - 2° | -6° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Poor | -12° - -4° | -14° | 73 mm | partly cloudy | 91% | 4.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
