Lake Akan is of course one of the famous trio in Akan National Park. We have visited the other two, Lake Kusharo and Lake Mashu, the day before (Part 3). This beautiful crater lake is famous for its spherical algae called "marimo". Although related species of this rare algae are found in the lakes of some European countries and in some other lakes in Japan, its only here that it forms into a spherical surface that is furry, soft and smooth, reaching up to 20 to 30 centimetres in diameter over time (up to a century @ about 5 mm per year). Smaller marimo in glass bottles are a popular souvenir for Japanese as well as foreign tourists.My niece brought two pairs home to add to her collection of a pair from a previous trip. She joked that these can form part of her family heirloom to be passed down, as her pet marimo can live up to a hundred years.
Marimo with colourful birth stones in a bottle are also sold as a mascot phone strap. There is also a character whose name "Marimokkori" is derived from "marimo" and the Japanese slang "mokkori”. Its fame comes through merchandising. What does "mokkori" means - notice the bulge on Marimokkori - go figure it out (... still can't get it? ... then point your mouse at the image on the right). So is this "crudeness" or "creativity"? Doesn't really matter, what is important is that the idea has reaped in millions of yen.
Caught a glimpse of two posters in the hotel lobby which I initially thought were that for a Japanese movie or TV drama. As it turns out they were for a 2008 Chinese romantic comedy film titled "If You Are the One" (非诚勿扰 - Fēichéng Wùrǎo), starring Shu Qi. Lake Akan was of course, among the popular sites of Hokkaido featured in this film. It became an immediate hit in China, grossing 300 million yuan (¥4.1 billion) in its first 19 days of screening and turned Hokkaido into a new tourism spot for Chinese travellers.
We left Lake Akan before 10 am and proceeded to our next and only destination for the day. This could well be the highlight of the tour for some of the youngsters in the group - a first taste of winter sports at Sahoro Resort. This is where Cub Med Sahoro is also located at.
We reached the Sahoro Resort Hotel during lunch time and had Japanese cuisine at the Yukizasa restaurant while our tour guide was busy checking us in. By the time we finished lunch she has just completed the check-in procedure. She then gathered the young ones and brought them up to the ski area. She did not bother to take her lunch first as she wanted to have the youngsters up at the slopes as early as possible. In this way they could enjoy a longer period of time at their winter activities (don't forget by 4 pm the sky would be dark and night skiing was not available). What a super tour guide; as professional as any Japanese, even though she is a Singaporean - really first class service. Meanwhile we waited for our keys to be issued. We then carried our baggage to our rooms before catching the next shuttle bus to join up with the youngsters.
When we reached the ski area we found the young ones enjoying themselves. A few were skiing while most of the others were snowboarding (or rather some of them were trying to snowboard). As it turned out the youngest in the group was the one with the most experience in this activity. Soon there were many tumbles and falls for those who were trying out this sport for the first time. But signs of enjoyment were written all over their faces. There were smiles and laughter all round after each and every crash!
Some of us older ones decided to try our hand at snow sliding and soon headed for the gentler slope allocated for this activity. I supposed it's not as challenging as snowboarding or skiing but it's still thrilling. A big thank you to the fellow tour member for giving me those "push starts". I really needed them - guess I am too heavy and cumbersome to "take off" on my own steam. It's a nice feeling to have icy air rushing against your face as you slide (or wobble in some cases) down the gentle gradient. Just like snowboarding, going downhill is fun but you will need to struggle up the slopes again for the next ride - no pain, no gain! 
Somehow or rather when you are having fun time seems to pass by faster. Soon the whole ski area was engulfed in darkness, safe for a few artificially lighted areas. We boarded the shuttle for our return trip to the resort hotel. Many stories and small talks were exchanged over dinner that night. A few regrouped in someone's room to continue bonding over drinks through the night. 
The teenagers in my own group gathered outside at the front of the hotel to have a snow fight and tried their hands at making a snowman. The resulting man of snow did not turn out as nice as what we normally see on TV or movies. Do remember though that the snow in Hokkaido is rather fine, powdery and soft - not easy to "mould" but good for the butts and bones of those who are learning to ski or snowboard. Some who had tried skiing in other countries remembered ending up with bruises, aches and sore bottoms. My youngest, who is rather gung-ho, fell the most on the slopes that day but did not suffer a single bruise - some aches though.
Half a day for trying out winter sports is definitely not enough. The original tour we were supposed to be with features two days at a ski resort in nearby Furano but alas we got played out by the agent as mentioned earlier (Part 1). Do note that if you are picking out a winter tour ensure that it covers at least two days in ski resorts.
Well we are nearing the end of our tour. We will be heading back to Sapporo tomorrow and on the way we will be trying out snowmobiling. Enjoyed the meals provided at the resort (especially dinner) and had great fun at the slopes today. My "camera" fingers were numbed throughout most part of the day but it's worth it. Can't wait to try out the snowmobile ride ...
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