Introducing the passions of people in lake Akan
#1 Akan Forest Thinning Wood Art Exhibition
Lake Akan is gradually turning into autumn. It's the perfect season to enjoy art under comforable environment. As many of you may know, Lake Akan is famous for a wood carving art.
You'll see wood carvings everywhere, including souvenir shops, hotel lobbies, information centers, lake cruise, and the exteriors of buildings.
The motifs are varied, including typical bears, owls, and nipopo (Ainu dolls), as well as large dragons, female statues, and other animals.
You may see wood carvers and artists carving wood at the storefronts, so be sure to keep eyes out for them as you walk around the town.
Today, we will introduce people who make works using wood from the forest of lake Akan, and the "``Akan Forest Thinning Wood Art Exhibition''.
Wood carving art in the town
As you walk along the shopping street, small glass show cases are lined up along the sidewalk, and wood carving works are displayed inside.
It's lit up at night, so you can see it on your way back to hotel from Kamuy Lumina.
These are actually a little different from the wood carvings you see in shops, and are special works that "use thinned wood from Akan's forests".
What's "Akan Forest Thinning Wood Art Exhibition"?
The forest of Lake Akan, which is inside a national park, is protected by the Maeda Ippoen Foundation, and the forest is thinned systematically. "``Akan Forest Thinning Wood Art Exhibition'' is part of an initiative that began with the idea of using the thinned wood (trees thinned out to help the forest grow healthily) that are left over from this process.
Wood carving craftsmen living in Lake Akan carve using wood from Lake Akan.
At first glance, you might think, ``"It's possible since the area is surrounded by forests like this!'' However, in Lake Akan area, which is a national park, this is something very special.
Thinned wood is not necessarily good quality wood; in fact, it often has complecated structure or is difficult to handle. Under such circumstances, the ingenuity and techniques of the artists shine in how to make use of wood to make it attractive.
The process of regenerating a forest over a long period of time may not be obvious just by looking at it, but the artwork will show you how trees grow in the forest, how they are thinned, and how they become the artwork. It may be good to think about how it is.
Wood curving exhibition in winter
Art works made from thinned wood lined up in the streets, will be exhibited in the public halls during winter. The "``Akan Forest Thinning Wood Art Exhibition'' is held in Akanko Onsen town as well as in Kushiro City, and the works are lined up in rows.
The artists themselves create the exhibition space, and through trial and error, they carefully work out how to convey the charm of each work, such as how to use lighting and how to set each works in the space.
Check out and visit the exhibition where you can see the works at their best up close.
Akan Forest Thinning Wood Art Exhibition 2023
Dates: 2023/12/6(Wed)~12/10(Sun)
Place: Kushiro City Lifelong Learning Center "Manabot Nusamai" 1F Civic Hall
Check out their instagram and webpage to find latest information!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/akan.artist/?hl=ja
WEB: https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/thinned_wood/
KAMUY LUMINA Ticket information
■Where can I buy tickets? How is the opening time?
Tickets are available at the official website, hotels around Lake Akan, "Kamuy Lumina" Ticket Booth, and designated travel agencies.
Fees: Adults (junior high school students and older)
Child (elementary school student)
*Preschool children or below are free of charge.
Official website (Ticket purchase page): https://webket.jp/pc/ticket/index?fc=52386&ac=9000
Starting time changes depending on the sunset time. So be sure to check when planning your trip!
2024 season opening hours:
May 11 (Sat) - August 9 (Fri) 19:30 - 21:00
August 10 (Sat) - August 30 (Fri) 19:00 - 21:00
Asugust 31 (Sat) - September 13 (Friday) 18:30 - 21:30
September 15 (Sun) - September 30 (Mon) 18:00 - 21:30
October 1 (Tue) - November 3 (Sun) 17:30 - 21:00
November 4 (Mon) - November 9 (Sat) 17:30 - 20:30
This special website will provide information not only about "Kamuy Lumina", but also sightseeing information about the town, Lake Akan Onsen, where this event is held. Please check out the latest and seasonal recommendations here.
We will also announce the release of web articles on Facebook and Instagram.
↓ Follow Us ↓
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kamuy_lumina/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/akan.adventure/
We hope to meet you soon at the event of "Kamuy Lumina"!
AN ENCHANTED NIGHT WALK AT LAKE AKAN
〒085-0467
5-20, Akankoonsen 1-chome, Akancho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido, 085-0467, Japan