Hokkai Heso Matsuri: Japan's Most Lighthearted Summer Festival
The Hokkai Heso Matsuri, or Hokkaido Belly Button Festival, is Japan's most lighthearted and comedic summer festival. Held every year in Furano, Hokkaido, the festival honors the area's farming heritage while highlighting its sense of humor.
It's a one-of-a-kind mix of comedy, tradition, and audience participation that has made the Hokkai Heso Matsuri a must-see cultural event for residents and visitors alike.
Historical Background
Hokkai Heso Matsuri started in 1969 as a tongue-in-cheek celebration of Furano's central position in Hokkaido, jokingly described as the "navel" of Japan. The festival has its roots in the area's farming tradition, whereby farmers interrupted their hard labor to celebrate and promote local pride. Today, the event has gained immense popularity and is visited by thousands of people who flock to see the unusual belly-dancing routines and vibrant parades.
One of the highlights of the festival was in the 1980s when the organizers began the practice of designing bellies to resemble faces. This clever twist transformed the festival into a feast for the eyes, and it soon became known as one of Japan's most unique festivals. The Hokkai Heso Matsuri is today a source of cultural pride for Furano and a testament to the power of humor to bring people together.
Common Activities
The main event of the Hokkai Heso Matsuri is the big parade, where marchers wear brightly colored happi coats and paint their stomachs to resemble smiling faces. These "belly dancers" parade through Furano's streets, doing choreographed dances to both traditional and contemporary music. The vision of dozens of belly-painted bellies wobbling in unison is both comical and hypnotic, making for a spectator experience that will long be remembered.
Apart from the parade, the festival also includes live music concerts, street food stalls selling local delicacies, and family-friendly activities. Guests are also invited to belly-painting sessions, where one can design their own pattern and participate in the revelry. The festival is capped off with a dance party, where guests are encouraged to let their hair down and indulge in the spirit of summer.
Traditional Practices
Hokkai Heso Matsuri is firmly entrenched in Japanese tradition, where ancient custom blends with contemporary creativity. The participants wear happi coats, thin kimonos that people wear during festivals, and decorate their stomachs with complex patterns. The patterns usually incorporate humorous or whimsical features, including cartoon characters or hyperbolic facial expressions.
Food is the highlight of the festival, and some of Hokkaido's specialties are sold by vendors. Some delicacies that visitors can enjoy include fresh corn on the cob, melon-flavored goodies, and Furano's renowned dairy products. There are also taiko drum performances and folk dances performed during the festival to give the festive atmosphere a traditional flavor.
What to Expect
Hokkai Heso Matsuri is a two-day event in late July, amidst Hokkaido's comfortable summer weather. The festival is in Furano City, which is conveniently reached by train or automobile from Sapporo. The parade, food booths, and events are best viewed and enjoyed early, so attendees are advised to arrive early to get a good vantage point.
Visitors are advised to dress casually and use sunblock since the festival takes place outdoors. There are also various accommodations available in Furano, from simple guesthouses to new hotels, but it is best to make reservations ahead of time since the festival is very popular. Do not forget to sample Furano's well-known products, including lavender-flavored desserts and fresh milk products, which are among the best in the area.
Conclusion
The Hokkai Heso Matsuri is as much a celebration of culture, creativity, and community as it is a festival. The combination of its humor and tradition is unparalleled and renders the festival one of a kind among Japan's summer festivals, providing visitors an opportunity to revel in Furano's hospitality and warmth.
Whether you're drawn in by the bizarre belly-dancing performances or the delectable local cuisine, the Hokkai Heso Matsuri promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you smiling long after the festival concludes.