Energetic summer festival in Lake Akan (#1 Kokanee Salmon 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! Starting with this article, we will introduce you to the summer festivals in the Lake Akan Onsen area over the coming three articles. Why don't you spend the best summer in Lake Akan by meeting the locals and participating in the festivals and KAMUY LUMINA?
A ceremony to bless the god creating the great nature
Every year in early July, the Hime-masu(Kokanee Salmon) Festival (Ainu: Kapachepunomi) is held on the shores of Lake Akan. The Ainu people living in Lake Akan perform a prayer ceremony with a sense of humility and gratitude for the blessings they receive from all the gods of nature in Lake Akan, including the Kokanee Salmon.
Kapachep means "thin fish" in Ainu language, and nomi means "prayer." The Ainu people used to call the Kokanee Salmon living in Lake Akan "kapachep.
Kokanee Salmon is a member of the salmon family, and its beautiful pink flesh makes it a favorite among anglers! Although it is a freshwater fish, it is also valued as a foodstuff because it tastes just so great!
Lake Akan is actually the place of origin for these Kokanee Salmon! Here is truly a comfortable place to live, partly because it prefers low water temperatures!
The Ainu people who lived in Lake Akan also used to catch them on their wooden boats.
Experience the Ainu culture closely
Kapachepunomi is also a good chance to experience the traditional Ainu culture.
You will feel the sacred atmosphere and learn a lesson from them, "respect for nature".
After the prayer, there is a program of Ainu traditional dancing which you can join with them dancing in a circle! The smiles on their faces are so beautiful, and this fun event will definitely become unforgettable!
Lake Akan is an area where you can experience Ainu culture closely. If you are interested, why not visit and experience it there?
In our next article, we will introduce the "Mt. Akan Shrine Festival," a favorite of all residents of the Lake Akan Onsen area. See you soon!
Event Information
Event Name：Hime Masu Festival (Ainu language: Kapachepunomi)
Schedule：Early July
Place：Around the shore of Lake Akan
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!
Event times:
May 13 (Sat) - August 9 (Wed) 19:30 - 21:00 (
August 10 (Thursday) - August 31 (Thursday) 19:00 - 21:30
September 1 (Friday) - September 15 (Friday) 18:30 - 21:30
September 16 (Sat) - September 30 (Sat) 18:00 - 21:30
Oct. 1 (Sun) - Nov. 11 (Sat) 17:30 - 21:00 (
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.
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We hope to meet you soon at the event of "Kamuy Lumina"!
