Nakajima

Nakajima is an island in Lake Kussharo within the Akan Mashu National Park and is home to diverse plant and animal species. The island was formed by volcanic activity and provides a natural habitat in the middle of this large mountain lake.

The island formed millions of years ago through repeated volcanic eruptions that shaped the Kussharo Caldera. This volcanic activity molded the entire region and created the geological conditions that characterize the landscape today.

The indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido maintain traditional connections to Nakajima and Lake Kussharo, integrating these landscapes into their heritage.

Visitors can reach the island by boat tours offered during various times of year from several points around the lake. The best time to visit is during warmer months when excursion boats run regularly and water access is pleasant.

In winter swans gather in natural hot water areas around the island, a rare natural spectacle visible only during this season. The birds remain because of the geothermal heat in the region, which keeps the surrounding waters ice-free even in extreme cold.