“Kamui” is the Ainu word for the spiritual beings that dwell in nature and animals, and in particular “the kamui of water” represents the spiritual presence in water, symbolizing the region’s abundant water blessings and its relationship with people.
The Kamui of Water Tourism Area lets you experience a land shaped by a water deity, where wetlands, lakes, volcanoes, and Ainu culture weave together the story of the earth.
At the Kushiro Wetland, Japan’s largest wetland, you can enjoy vast scenery that is home to the specially designated natural monument, the red-crowned crane, and observe seasonal nature along boardwalks and trails.
Lake Akan is known as the only place in the world with large spherical colonies of marimo, and through facilities that teach marimo ecology, Lake Akan Onsen, and Lake Akan Ainu Kotan you can encounter Ainu culture that has been passed down alongside the water.
At Lake Mashu, visitors are greeted by the mysteriously deep blue water called “Mashu Blue” and a caldera lake that boasts some of the world’s highest water clarity.
Nearby at Lake Kussharo and Mt. Io, you can also see the dynamic natural expressions created by volcano and water, such as lakeside hot springs and steam vents.
We warmly present the stories of water, land, and culture that you can only encounter in the Kamui of Water Tourism Area.
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🌲Akaezomatsu Forest Trail🌲
I recently took a stroll through Akaezomatsu Forest‼︎ This is one of the recommended spots to visit in the upcoming season✨
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The trail behind Kawayu Visitor Center (@kawayu_vc) is an easily accessible, authentic forest where you can observe the rare Akaezomatsu and Todomatsu trees found in Japan. You can also request a 20 to 30-minute guided tour from the facility staff✨ Especially during this season (from early June to around July), it's recommended to see the clusters of Gozen Tachibana as they transform from white flowers to red berries.
At the second-floor café (@cafesoftwood), you can enjoy meals and tea, making the most of your visit to Kawayu Visitor Center☕️🌿
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Kawayu - Akaezomatsu Forest
Located in Akan-Mashu National Park, Kawayu Onsen spreads at the foot of Mt. Io. This pure forest consists of Akaezomatsu trees that are about 200 years old. The acidic soil, covered in volcanic ash, creates a harsh environment for plants. The representative conifer of Hokkaido, Akaezomatsu, thrives here. Trees around 20 meters tall stretch endlessly, and the forest floor is covered with clusters of Gozen Tachibana. The patterns, scents, and sounds created by the limited plants enhance the charm of this mystical forest as you experience it.
(Source: Akaezomatsu Forest Guide Map)
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🌸🌸 Spring Kushiro Sightseeing Bus Tour [Sakura Edition] 🌸🌸
We are recruiting participants for a bus tour that explores the double-flowered cherry blossom "Kushiro Yaezakura" which originated in Kushiro.☺
Selected by Mr. Inazawa Rokuro, who was engaged in landscaping in Kushiro, this double-flowering variety was registered in 1981.
The petals are layered beautifully, making it a very charming cherry blossom.
We will visit notable spots in the city and enjoy a tour-exclusive bento at Yanagimachi Park, the venue for the "Kushiro Sakura Matsuri."
Please come and enjoy the Kushiro Yaezakura in Kushiro, the final stop of the cherry blossom front in eastern Hokkaido!✨
Date: Saturday, May 16th, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Capacity: 30 people
Participation fee: 6,500 yen (tax included) *Please pay in cash on the day.
・Children the same fee
Meeting place: KKS Convention Center (Kushiro City Tourism and International Exchange Center)
Gather at 8:50 AM
For detailed information and applications, please check the official Kushiro and Akanko tourism website.
*Please confirm via the link in the profile section.
https://ja.kushiro-lakeakan.com/overview/20909/...
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On April 10th, we announced the 'Wakoto Area Beach Clean-Up Activity' on social media. We recently received a report confirming that the beach clean-up around Wakoto was successfully completed! It seems that some participants joined after seeing the post from 'Teshikaga Navi'✨ That's great!
May many people safely enjoy the beautiful Wakin Peninsula this year as well🧹🧼
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🍶Enjoying Junmai Warm Sake Event in Kawayu Onsen🍶
The Enjoying Junmai Warm Sake Event in Kawayu Onsen will be held on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Kawayu Kanko Hotel Convention Hall, Laputa. Many famous sake breweries will gather for this event to enjoy junmai warm sake.
The fee is 7,500 yen per person, and ticket sales will end on June 13. It is said that sales will conclude once the capacity is reached, even before the deadline, so please act quickly! 🍶✨
Hot springs, warm sake, and delicious food.
That's why Kawayu is irresistible.
【Enjoying Junmai Warm Sake Event in Kawayu Onsen】
Date and Time
Sunday, June 21, 2026
17:20 - Registration / 17:45 - Doors Open / 18:00 - Start / 20:00 - End (tentative)
Venue
Kawayu Kanko Hotel Convention Hall, Laputa
1-2-30 Kawayu Onsen, Teshikaga-cho, Kawakami-gun
Tickets
¥7,500 (tax included) per person, all seated / half buffet style
*Advance tickets only
*Due to preparations, there will be no tickets available on the day of the event.
Participating Breweries
⚫︎Kamikawa Taisetsu Sake Brewery (Kamikawa-cho) 《Kamikawa・Tokachi》
⚫︎Fukutsukasa Sake Brewery (Kushiro City) 《Fukutsukasa・Goshikisai Cloud》
⚫︎Sakai Shuzo (Yamaguchi Prefecture) 《Gohashi・NOTEN》
⚫︎Hatashuzou (Shiga Prefecture) 《Daijiro》
⚫︎Henmi Shuzo (Niigata Prefecture) 《Maaya・Itaru》
⚫︎Moriki Shuzō (Mie Prefecture) 《Rumiko's Sake》
*Please note that participating breweries and their representatives may change.
Ticket Purchase and Inquiries
Kawayu Sake Association, Nishizawa Shoten Co., Ltd. Contact: Kaneko
Phone Number: 015-483-2347
Email: kin311@aurora.ocn.ne.jp
Check the flyer QR code image for temporary information and details!
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[2026 Announcement of Akanko Lake Opening]
The "Akanko Lake Opening" event, marking the beginning of the green season tourism at Lake Akanko, will be held on Wednesday, April 29th.
There will be a brass band performance by the Akanko Compulsory Education School's wind ensemble,
a tourism safety prayer ceremony, and a presentation of local specialties from Lake Akanko.
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With the start of the new fiscal year, let me introduce how we at the tourism association provide information!
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Notice of Cruise Ship Arrival🚢
The cruise ship "Westerdam" is coming to Kushiro!
Passengers will disembark and enjoy sightseeing in Kushiro.
We hope that all citizens will warmly welcome them with a friendly atmosphere😊
As the ship departs, there will be a drum performance by "Kotobuki Kodomo Ezo Taiko" to send them off👋
We look forward to everyone's participation✨
*Parking available for general visitors
Date: Tuesday, April 28, Year R8
Arrival: 8:00 AM Departure: 5:00 PM
Location: Kushiro Port West No.4 Pier East Side Seawall
Local product stalls open from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Send-off around 4:30 PM #Cruise Ship #Westerdam
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On April 17, 2026, the Lake Mashu Safety Prayer Festival was held at Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace, and at the same time, the drive course connecting Lake Mashu First Observatory and Mt. Io, known as the Mashu Lake Iozan Sky Road, was opened🚙🐾
It seems that flags, as shown in the photos, are also on sale at Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace🚩
The view from the Mashu Lake Lounge within Lake Mashu Kamuy Terrace is also beautiful✨ Be sure to check it out.
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Looking into the river flowing through Akan Lake Onsen Town,
I saw schools of wakasagi swimming upstream to spawn.
It seems the fish are also sensing the arrival of spring☀️🐠✨️.
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Introduction of Supporting Companies - 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest
The award-winning works of the 15th Teshikaga Photo Contest have been announced, and we have presented prizes to each winner.
This Teshikaga Photo Contest is held with the cooperation of local businesses in Teshikaga. On the official Instagram of Teshikaga Navi, we will gradually introduce the supporting companies that have collaborated with us. (In no particular order)
This time, we would like to introduce "CAFE SOFTWOOD"! 📝 Teshikaga Navi offers a wide range of information, so please take a look! ✨ Thank you to "CAFE SOFTWOOD" for your support of this event. 🙇🛶
We appreciate your continued support for the "Teshikaga Photo Contest" and "Teshikaga Navi."
https://www.masyuko.or.jp/news/photocon_r08/...
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