Lake Akan Forest Night Walk KAMUY LUMINA

KAMUY LUMINA opened in July 2019 as the world's first Lumina Night Walk experience held within a national park. Created by Moment Factory, a Montreal-based multimedia entertainment company, this installation represents the tenth work in their acclaimed international Lumina series. The experience is situated in Akan Mashu National Park in Hokkaido, where it transforms the natural forest surrounding Lake Akan into an immersive storytelling environment. Development took over a year and involved extensive collaboration with the Akan Ainu community, the Ministry of Environment, and Akan Adventure Tourism Co. to ensure minimal environmental impact and cultural authenticity.

The experience brings to life traditional Ainu culture through the retelling of "Konkuwa" (also known as "The Tale of the Owl and the Jay Bird"), a Yukar, or epic poem passed down through generations. In Ainu belief, Kamuy refers to divine spirits inhabiting all aspects of nature. The story follows an owl, guardian deity of the village, and a jay bird on their journey to the land of the Kamuy to deliver a musical message on behalf of humans who have lost respect for nature and angered the gods. Participants follow this narrative through eight distinct zones along the path, each featuring repeating two-to-three minute story segments enhanced by projection mapping, soundscapes, and interactive elements.

Visitors embark on a 1.2-kilometer walking path along the Bokke Nature Trail after nightfall, taking approximately 50 to 60 minutes to complete. The experience incorporates rhythm sticks equipped with LED lights and speakers that participants use to interact with certain zones, particularly during rhythm-based segments where they help the jay bird keep the beat. A multilingual mobile app available in English and Chinese provides additional context about the unfolding story. The natural forest setting remains largely unchanged, with technology seamlessly integrated to respect the site's flora and fauna. The experience operates rain or shine, though it may be modified or canceled during severe weather conditions. A portion of proceeds supports the Maeda Ippoen Foundation for wildlife preservation.

Admission tickets cost ¥3,000 for adults (junior high school students and above) and ¥1,500 for children (elementary school students) when purchased online in advance, with same-day tickets priced at ¥3,500 and ¥1,700 respectively. Preschool children enter free. Discounted admission is available for visitors with disabilities at ¥1,500 for adults and ¥750 for children. Combination tickets with the Lake Akan Ainu Theater Ikor's "Lost Kamuy" performance are available for ¥3,800 (adults) and ¥1,900 (children). Tickets can be purchased through the official website or at hotels in the Akan Onsen area.

Lake Akan is accessible via Tancho Kushiro Airport, located approximately 60 to 75 minutes away by car or bus. The Akan Airport Liner and regular route buses operate between the airport and Akanko Onsen, with journey times of approximately 65 to 80 minutes and fares around ¥2,190. Buses run three times daily year-round, increasing to four times daily from July through October. From JR Kushiro Station, buses take approximately 110 minutes with fares of ¥2,570. The entrance to KAMUY LUMINA is located near the Marimo no Sato Pier at Lake Akan. Note that KAMUY LUMINA does not have dedicated parking, so visitors should use the Akan Forest Garden parking area.