Energetic summer festival in Lake Akan (#3 Marimo Festival)
It's August now and there are tons of summer festivals going on all over Japan!
Even in the Lake Akan Onsen area, which has a population of less than 1,000 people, there are amazing festivals going on! From the last two articles, we will introduce you to the summer festivals in the Lake Akan Onsen area. Why don't you spend the best summer in Lake Akan by meeting the locals and participating in the festivals and KAMUY LUMINA?
Check our previous article (Kokanee Salmon Festival)
Check our previous article (Mt. Akan Shrine Festival)
Mysterious “Marimo”
What is Marimo anyway?
Marimo is an algae, and waves flowing into the water cause individual algae to aggregate and form into a large green sphere called a "marimo”.
We learned that Lake Akan is also home to marimo. And due to various factors, such as the waves created by the winds blowing due to the special topography and the rivers with cold water flowing into the lake, it creates the "round" and "large" marimo here in Lake Akan. Because of its "roundness" and "size," the marimo of Lake Akan is recognized as precious and is designated as a special natural monument of Japan.
Conservation and ceremony of marimo
The precious Lake Akan marimo, in fact, has been on the verge of extinction many times. Several decades ago, marimo theft and trafficking were rampant, which had a major impact on the natural environment, including the marimo. Residents here in Lake Akan announced that “We need to protect the marimo, which is one of Lake Akan's most iconic symbols!" This is why the Marimo Festival was founded in 1950.
How amazing the marimo festival is
On the second day of the festival, a marimo dance procession is held, and the kimono with green marimo design is another unique feature of Lake Akan.
After the dance, a "Marimo welcoming ceremony" is held, in which the Ainu people cruise to Lake Akan in a round wooden boat to pick up the natural marimo. Then hand them over to the Ainu elders, who march with the torches in their hands. And their destination is "Ainu Kotan," an Ainu village about 3 km away, where many Ainu people from all over Hokkaido, dressed in their traditional clothing, will march in a grand procession.
Unlike usual, this is the only day when you can see the town light up with torches!
On the third day, a ceremony called "Kamuinomi" is held to express gratitude to the gods for the great nature, and the "Marimo Sending Ceremony", a ceremony to return the marimos of Lake Akan, will end up the biggest festival in Akan that lasted for three days.
Lake Akan Onsen is a very sparsely populated area, but it is also a community of different genres of people, so please come and join us for the best summer festival! We look forward to seeing you there!
Event Information
Event Name: Marimo Festival
Schedule：October 8-10 (open to the public: 9-10 only)
Location：Around Lake Akanko Onsen Town
Admission: Free to visit
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.
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We hope to meet you soon at the event of "Kamuy Lumina"!
