Festivals & Events
Marimo Festival まりも祭り
Photo copyright: Akan Tourism Association & Community Development Organization
Akan Tourism Association & Community Development Organization
An unusual traditional festival honoring the quirky marimo algae of Lake Akan
Initially conceived in 1950 to inspire people to help save the endangered marimo algae of Lake Akan, the Marimo Festival continues to enthrall visitors every autumn. It's a rare chance to witness the customs of the indigenous Ainu people and hear their folk songs.
How to Get There
Lake Akan is 60 kilometers from Kushiro Airport. It can be accessed by car or by bus from Kushiro Station. The festival is held along the main street, Akanko Onsengai.
There are bus services from Kushiro Station and Kushiro Airport. From the station, take a bus to Akanko Hotori Bus Stop. Akanko Onsengai is a five-minute walk.
Quick Facts
Marimo are green balls of algae with a velvety appearance that resemble moss balls
Marimo are believed to grow around 9-12.6 millimeters in diameter per year
Marimo in Lake Akan are the largest spherical marimo in the world, growing to a diameter of over 30 centimeters
Volcanic activity formed Lake Akan 6,000 years ago
Dances and parades led by Ainu priests
After you witness the solemn blessing of the marimo by Ainu priests, things become livelier with the start of the torch parade and the impressive display of traditional dances by Ainu communities from all over Hokkaido 
. Follow the festivities with a hot spring bath under the stars at one of Lake Akan's luxurious ryokan.
The mysterious marimo
Even if you can't make it to Lake Akan in October, you can still take a pleasant cruise to see marimo at Kushiro City's Lake Akan Marimo Exhibition and Observation Centre on an island in the north of the lake. Further afield, Akan-Mashu National Park has an abundance of beautiful spots and wonderful wildlife, well worth a visit.
* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.
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