Make an Ainu musical instrument and take a walk inside a forest.
See the magnificent scenery cherished by the Ainu of Lake Akan.
Lake Akan is one of the famous caldera lakes in Eastern Hokkaido, and is home to the marimo, a type of algae that has been designated a Special Natural Monument of Japan.
In “Lake Time”, you will experience making a traditional Ainu musical instrument called “mukkuri”, then take a walk inside the “iwor” (living territory) forest along the shore of Lake Akan. You will arrive at a clearing with a great view of the lake and the majestic Mt. Oakan. Here you can take a short rest and play the mukkuri while listening to the stories of the Ainu guide.
Make a mukkuri and march into the forest
In this tour program, you will first make your own mukkuri, a traditional Ainu musical instrument. It is a type of jaw harp made from bamboo that produces sound by pulling a string and vibrating the reed while holding it against your mouth. The Ainu used it to express the sounds of nature, such as the wind or the cries of animals. You will get to carve the reed and attach a string to finish the mukkuri.
After making the mukkuri, you will enter the iwor forest located not far from the Akanko Onsen area. Before entering the forest, the Ainu will perform a ritual called “kamuy-nomi”, in which they pray for safe travels inside the forest.
- You will walk with snowshoes in case of accumulated snow.
Experience the culture of the Lake Akan Ainu
Together with the Ainu guide, you will go into the depths of the forest. For the Ainu in Lake Akan, the forest was a place essential to their lives. It was a source of their food, their clothing, and their tools. Making full use of the blessings of nature has become an important part of their culture that has been handed down through generations.
While taking a rest in a clearing inside the forest, the guide will tell you all about the folklore and beliefs of the Lake Akan Ainu surrounding this area. You will also get to play the mukkuri that you made earlier. Hearing it resonate in the middle of the quiet forest gives you the feeling that humans are indeed a part of nature.
See a breathtaking view of the lake and Mt. Oakan
The walking course in this tour is fairly easy, with little uphill or downhill slopes. But unlike the course in the “Forest Time” tour, you will advance further out of the forest to a wharf on the lake shore.
The sightseeing boats going around Lake Akan have always been a popular attraction in this area. As you catch a glimpse of the boats that have taken many visitors on board over the years, you will eventually arrive at a large clearing on the lake shore. Here you can enjoy a magnificent view of the lake backed by the imposing figure of Mt. Oakan. You can also listen to the unique Ainu legends surrounding the place. It is a blissful time that will bring you closer to the culture of the Ainu.
- Depending on the weather for the day, you may be unable to see Mt. Oakan.
- All photos are for illustration purposes only.
Information
| Tour name | tour2: Lake Time – See the Sights of the Lake Cherished by the Ainu |
| Itinerary | ① Meetup at Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor ② Mukkuri making ③ Kamuy-nomi (prayer) experience ④ Guided walk in the iwor forest (long course) ※Snowshoe trek in case of accumulated snow ⑤ Mukkuri performance ⑥ Finish at Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor |
| Available period | June to December (not available from January to May) |
| Start time | 9:30～ |
| Duration | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Meetup location | Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor ※See map below for detailed location. |
| Fee | (Adult/Child) ¥15,000 per person (tax incl.) ※Credit cards not accepted. |
| Age limit | 7 years old and up. Children below 7 years may not join. Children aged 7 to 10 years must be accompanied by an adult (16 years old and up). If you are aged 11 to 15 years and joining by yourself, please inquire in advance. |
| Participants | Minimum 2, maximum 10 |
| Included in fee | Guide fee, activity fee, mukkuri making kit, tax, snowshoe rental (in case of snow) |
| Not included in fee | Transportation costs to the venue |
| Reservation deadline | At least 10 days in advance (May be available to book even after the 10-day advance deadline. Please inquire for details.) |
| Required items to bring | Comfortable clothes and shoes (or cold weather gear in winter) ※Some places may get muddy depending on the season or weather. |
| Convenient items to bring | Hat, backpack or other hands-free bag, rain gear |
| Payment method | Please pay by cash at the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor counter before the start of the tour. |
| Notes | ■Please be at the meetup location at least 10 minutes before the start time. ■The tour may be changed or cancelled due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control. ■Tours are available in either Japanese or English. If you would like guide service in English, please select it in the language preference on the reservation form. There is an additional charge of 3,000 yen per person. Please note that we may not be able to meet your request on certain days. ■Since the tour involves walking on unpaved forest trails, children below the age limit may not join. ■The mukkuri making involves using sharp objects, so adult supervision of children is highly advised. |
| Cancelation Rules | The below cancelation fees will be charged if you cancel your reservation during the following times: ・1 to 3 days before tour: 50% of tour fee ・Day of tour: 100% ・After tour starts or no show: 100% |