Sokodai Observatory

Sokodai Observatory is an observation deck midway through the Akan Odan Road. From the Sokodai Observatory, visitors can gaze out at the lakes within the forest below, Penketo and Panketo. After the eruption of Mt. Oakan, the lake that was inside the Akan caldera was separated into two new lakes. These new lakes were named Penketo and Panketo, which mean "lower lake" and "upper lake" respectively in the Ainu language. This spot is famous for its view of constellations at night, and a seasonal event called Star Watching is held, during which visitors can gaze up at the night sky from the observation deck.