Lake Akan is a town of art (#2 Ainu Art Gallery Kotan-ya)
In the middle of October, the temperature gradually drops in the Lake Akan Onsen area where Kamuy Lumina is held.
Since it is also the time of year when the beautiful red leaves start turning their colors, the area is crowded with many tourists!
However, early mornings and nights are often cold, and for those living in warmer areas, it may feel like winter!
Autumn is also the season for arts!
The Lake Onsen area is deeply linked to the Ainu culture and is very famous for its traditional handcrafts such as wood carving and embroidery.
Many artists are also inspired by the beautiful natural environment and wildlife around them, to do their paintings, photography, and other artistic activities.
In this article, we will introduce some of the places where you can enjoy this "town of Art, Lake Akan" while strolling around the Lake Akan Onsen Hot Spring Resort area!
Explore more traditional ainu handcrafts and artworks!
Ainu Kotan is located next to the Lake Akan Onsen street.
“Kotan" means "village" in Ainu language.
Visitors can experience Ainu culture from traditional dances, museums, and traditional handcrafts to learn more about their lifestyle.
Inside the Ainu Kotan, the “Ainu Art Gallery Kotan-ya” opened last year where it exhibits the ancient tools used by the Ainu people and products of modern Ainu art.
Definitely is a perfect spot for those who are interested in Ainu culture!
On the right side of the store is a display of "Kamuy-nomi"(a traditional ceremony held by Ainu people) and other items used in Ainu ethnic ceremonies.
In Lake Akan, "Kamuy-nomi" is often held during events such as the "Hime-masu Festival," "Mountain opening ceremony" and "Marimo Festival," as well as when praying for safety.
An ikupasui is a spatula used to offer sake to the kamuy (meaning "god" in Ainu language) or ancestors, and a tuki is a lacquered bowl used to hold the sake.
These were used separately from those used for human meals.
Bowls are placed on a stand and the spatula for offering sake is placed on top of them, which is a standard position to prepare to pray for Kamuy.
In the past, due to the lack of thread, the Ainu people used the bark of Manchurian Elm and other trees to make clothing and bags.
The bark would be peeled and soaked in water to ferment.
It was then dried and finished into thread by hand.
There are also products from Ainu Kotan embroidery artisans!
Different artisans do things differently, so you can enjoy a variety of designs.
In addition, you can get a glimpse of how closely their values are connected to the great natures surrounding them from Ainu patterns.
Ainu Kotan not only inherits the traditions, but also incorporates modern views and techniques, embodies "tradition and innovation," and creates new ideas that make the spirituality of the Ainu culture more palpable than ever before.
One such example is the "Fuki paper fan”.
Fuki paper is a specialty of Onbetsu Town, which is also located inside Kushiro City, and is made of Japanese paper that incorporates the butterbur plant.
The fans are made from this Japanese paper and designed with an Ainu pattern.
It is a very popular product with a very elegant texture and design!
Inside the store, there is also a tourist information center that introduces mainly Ainu Kotan and Ainu culture-related contents, so if you have any questions, please ask the staff!
Next time, we will introduce you to the “Kikori-no-ie, the Museum of nuts and berries Art”, which is located in the Lake Akan Onsen Hot Spring street! Stay tuned!
Facility Information
AINU ART GALLERY KOTAN-YA
Address: 〒085-0467 Akanko-onsen 4-7-30, Akan-cho, Kushiro City, Hokkaido
TEL: 0154-64-5920
Office hours: 9：30−18：00 (Closed randomly)
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.
We will also announce the release of web articles on Facebook and Instagram.
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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"!
阿寒湖森林夜行
郵遞區號085-0467
北海道釧路市阿寒町阿寒湖溫泉1丁目5-20
