(雌阿寒岳) Mt. Meakan Hike

Not really public transportation friendly, but if you have one (or three!) buddies with you, and nobody knows how to drive, then you've come to the right blog. 

Budget: JPY11,000 (~USD105)

• JPY5,500. Bus, Kushiro Station < > Akanko-onsen (JPY2,750 one way)
• JPY5,500. Taxi, Akanko-onsen < > Meakandake-onsen-tozanguchi (JPY5,500 one way, assuming two people sharing costs)

Hike Date / Difficulty (Elevation: 1,499m / 4,918ft)

• Given the logistical difficulties (and how far it is!), I'd probably not go. But never say never. ;)
• Difficulty:
• Route below is around 4.0kilometers, with an elevation change of ▲600m/ ▽600m (4.5 hours for the entire trip)
• Map Link 

When to Go
Anytime during the year it seems. 

Special Notes

• Weather check. 
• Trailhead: Meakandake-onsen-tozanguchi (雌阿寒温泉登山口), google maps pin. 
• Kushiro Station (釧路駅)
• Bus, Kushiro Station (釧路駅) to Akanko-Onsen (阿寒湖温泉), around this area. JPY2,750, two hours one way, bus runs throughout the year, but about three a day. 
• Taxi, Akanko-Onsen (阿寒湖温泉) to trailhead, or "Yamanoyado Nonaka Onsen (野中温泉), JPY5,500 one way, 20minutes, 18kms. Company quote here, email akan@home.so-net.ne.jp for the reservation. 
• Mountain huts.
• Paid. None. 
• Free. None. 
• Camping. オンネトー野営場. A campground close to the lake. JPY350 per night per person. google maps pin. 

Itinerary

• 10:10am. Bus, Kushiro Station to Akanko-onsen. 
• 12:10pm. ETA: Akanko-onsen. 
• 12:20pm. Taxi, Akanko-onsen to Yamanoyado Nonaka Onsen.
• 12:50pm. ETA: Trailhead.
• 01:00pm. Start hike.
• Hike to summit and back. 
• 05:30pm. ETA: Back at Trailhead.
• 06:00pm. ETA: Akanko-onsen.
• 04:00pm. Bus, Akanko-onsen to Kushiro Station. Given the 2 hour gap, this either will be a really tight dayhike or an overnight one.