It has certainly been a long time since I last posted. I just came back from a short trip to Eastern Hokkaido and I enjoyed every moment of it!

Now that I am back home, I can't contain my excitement to share about my favorite highlight of this journey - Lake Akan.

Located in Kushiro of Hokkaido, Japan, Lake Akan is one of the lakes formed by volcanic activities. Currently, what makes this place famous is their marimo moss balls, and also the beautiful views of Lake Akan offers! 

Here near Lake Akan has a good story that brings awareness to wildlife preservation. I was on a road trip with another few people from Obihiro to Kushiro. Before this trip, I have roughly heard about the indigenous tribe of Ainu, but coming here, the only thing I'd say is "I'm glad to be here".

In the following paragraphs I'll write about my itinerary and experience for my first day in Kushiro so read on!! 

🚙…～♪

After leaving Obihiro, we started our road trip through Ikeda Wine Castle and Boya Farm.

In Ikeda Wine Castle, you get to try Tokachi Wine (good fragrance!) and watch a sheepdog show in Boya Farm. Then, it is about an hour's drive to the stop that I have been really excited for: Ainu Theater Ikor (Ainu Kotan)!

This theater shows the history of the Ainu tribe, on their spiritual beliefs. The performance that I watched in the theater is titled Lost Kamuy. Though you hear Japanese throughout the performance, an English guide of the translation is handed out for you to read beforehand or to read after the show. 

In Ainu Theater Ikor, the theater has rows of seats. Some seats does not allow photography or videography (especially the front rows). If you wish to take photography/ videos of the performances it is reminded to sit at the back rows.

So, what is Ainu? Who are the Ainu people?

In Ainu language, 'Ainu' means 'people'. They are the people that have named many places of Hokkaido, and was at a point being discriminated, and only being recognized earlier of this year (but the recognition bill was rather vague, but let's leave this aside for now). 

The Ainu believed that there is a piece of soul, or rather, a part of the higher being in every being - be it animals, tools, the weather or even plants. Kamuy (read as Kamui) can be said as a form of spiritual being in the Ainu Mythologies. It is said that thanks to the Kamuy, life is created and humans are blessed with gifts from the nature.

As someone who has been contributing through donations for organizations such as WWF, I was having a mixed ball of emotions. Knowing that development and unethical hunting has killed many wild animals to the extent where the beloved Hokkaido wolves that the Ainu believed, and highly respected, were the best hunters, went into extinction, I was deeply saddened. However, I was also delighted that the performance has a great combination of traditional dances, outfit, and modern image projection that brings a powerful message. I hope the message gives a good, impactful message to the world to raise awareness of the environment. 

While being amazed at the art and powerful projections, we also got invited to join the stage and dance along (though I think was really bad at following). After the end of the performance we got to take photos with them. Before leaving, I also noticed that the theater hall was beautifully decorated with traditional crafts and art.

Leaving Ainu Theater Ikor, we continued our road trip to our hotel in New Akan Hotel. However, as we realize that we need to get on the cruise soon (it's the last of the day, timetable here), we left our bags with the hotel concierge and sped our way to the cruise. Never did I know a cruise could be so beautiful!

We bought the 85-minute cruise that allows us to also see Marimo moss balls. The tickets are 2,000 JPY per person. 

We were also given pamphlets about the cruise and marimo moss! 

It was autumn, and on the cruise it was windy. I absolutely loved the temperature but everyone else were feeling cold. I have a higher tolerance when it comes to cold so please don't ask me what to wear during spring/ autumn. Everyone else had a jacket and here I am being chill with a normal top.

While everyone asked if it was cold, I said it's just nice (chilly in a good way, like hey you don't get this weather in Kuala Lumpur might as well as enjoy it). Well it was good until the sun sets. My hands finally felt like they were going to freeze towards the end of the cruise (*ノ∀｀)ｱﾊﾊ八八

Anyways back to the topic, so during this 85-minutes of cruise, we were also given 15 minutes to see the Marimo display. Let me just tell you that Marimo are adorable and bouncy in the waters. I was also told that they 'reproduce' and have little baby marimos (ah my heart is weak when it comes to cute, tiny things).

As time was limited (we only had 15 minutes!!) I didn't manage to snap a lot of photos, and the following was my best shot for the marimos. For them to grow that huge it'd take hundreds of years! 

Lake Akan, the home of these rare algae/ moss balls, is also famous for the nearby hot springs. You can stay in their hotels or you can also go for their hot springs with fees ranging from 500JPY to 1.5k JPY. 

After seeing the adorable Marimo, it is time to leave. On our way back, it is sunset time and the autumn colors are getting prettier as the sky turns orange-red.

This place is considered the national park of Japan for its beauty and the minimized human interference of development. 

By the end of the cruise, we've checked in to the hotel and had our dinner. In New Akan Hotel, we got a lakeview room but in the evening we can't see anything because it's too dark. Our rooms are very comfortable, and you can also take the futon and sleep on tatami too!

After checking in, we took some rest and proceeded to our dinner buffet. There is a large selection of food and we're trying our best to finish everything.

After dinner, we walked to the activity that I have looked forward the most - Kamuy Lumina! 

After the walk, we had a short walk back to our hotel and enjoyed the open air hot spring + spa. It was very relaxing and throws your fatigue away! The following morning, at 5AM they are also open so if you enjoy morning baths, definitely New Akan Hotel will give you a pleasant experience! 

Although this is not everything about Kushiro, but I shall end my post here.

I will write more about Lake Mashu that is not far from Lake Akan again when I find time. ^^

Until next time! ☆