These cuddly, fluffy things are real and all naturally found in Akan Lake of Hokkaido, Japan! They looked soooo squishy 😀 They’re alive! Well, a spiritual moss ball?
These cuddly looking moss balls are not just cute, they have serious values to the locals.. The indigenous tribes use them to perform rituals (marimo matsuri). Below are some photos showing how it is done.
Marimo takes FOREVER to grow. Like 3-5mm per year; 100 years to grow to 10cm. They are naturally formed at the bottom of Akan Lake. The wild marimo are endangered due to pollution and also over ‘harvesting’. These little fellows are pretty sensitive. Too much of anything they die. Thanks to the local’s relentless efforts, marimo now has its own museum and graces 90% Akan souvenir stores. Safe to say that the ‘farmed’ marimo are not endangered anytime soon.
Marimo viewing happens in the middle of Akan Lake *LOL* So ferry ride is a must 😀 I love ferry rides. If you take the cheapest ride like me, there’s only 15min of visit time in the marimo exhibition and observation centre. If you want extra time with these fluff balls, I recommend that you take the more expensive private speedboat.
Tip
- You can buy a marimo to bring back home 😀 They have small ones that are in a 100ml jar.
- If you’re into quietness or hikes, staying overnight next to Akan is well worth it. There’re spots to see fireflies if you’re in season 😉
- Accommodation in this area is pricey, book ahead will likely save you a buck or two.
- Weather is rather unpredictable, even in high summer, I highly recommend that you bring a wind breaker or something warm and waterproof.
Where was I?
Churui island on Akan Lake, Hokkaido Japan
What ferry did I take?
Sight seeing cruiser 85min http://www.akankisen.com/_eng/
*Include 15min at the Marimo exhibition and observation centre
Ferry ride JPY1,900 per adult includes a marimo
How to get here?
Either 2.5 hrs bus from JR Kushiro train station or 1.5 hrs by driving.
No trains available.
E.g. Akan Bus (www.akanbus.co.jp) or you can get a bus pass from the bus terminal next to the main bus stop. I highly recommend the bus pass if you plan to do a return bus trip between Kushiro and Akan Lake.
**As you get out of the Kushiro station, turn left. The bus terminal is next door to the Super Hotel (bright yellow)
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Camera: Canon 5D mark 3, Samsung S3 or Sony Z3+ (I can’t remember which phone I used)
13 Comments
Fascinating Joyce
Look so beautiful
Omg those moss balls! I’ve never heard of those. I want to grow some marimo now!
I’m surprised the Japanese don’t eat marimo… they do pretty much everything else… 😛
Wahaha I think they’re off the menu because they’re meant to be spiritual 😛 Else, ja, I think you’re right *LOL*
こんばんわ！！
日本の神秘を世界に紹介して頂き、常に感謝でいっぱいです。
おかげさまで、日本国としても、私の紹介する岡山県も外国からの訪問客は確実に多くなっています。
飛騨高山市役所においては、ブランド・海外戦略部まで増設しています。
ありがとうございます。
I am speechless. Thank you again for the countless support.
Wow, that’s a big project. Okayama-ken is a beautiful and a fabulous hub for traveling in Japan. Please write something about Momotaro? Whenever I think of Okayama, it’s the first thing that comes to my mind.
Thank you very much.
It is expressed from a fairy tale that Momotaro eradicates demons.
In modern times Momotaro (Samurai) and Ogre (girl) are mascots in Okayama Prefecture.
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-1/1504081_463198520473173_22470299_n.png?oh=47d4f06fec535c022a2e63b9306296ad&oe=58B1309A
So cool. I’ve never even heard of this things before. Thanks for teaching me something today.
Thank you for dropping by, Stewie 😉
They really look so squishy! Very interesting story behind them too.
They are indeed~~ I bought the tiny 1cm ones. They’re squishy~~ 😉
Do you keep them in the water?
Yes 😀 actually, I should add a photo of the little jar