ABOUT + TO DO INFO MATSURI RULES & MANNERS ACCESS

About the festival

Located at the very center of great large Hokkaido, Furano City can be referred to as the "belly button" of Hokkaido. This festival began in 1969, in order to "strengthen bonds through the belly button".

The festival also is the annual festival of the city's "Heso (belly button) shrine" (properly known as Hokushin Shrine). This shrine—the proud backbone of the belly button festival—prays for life's love, birth, growth, health, happiness, thriving and peace. The festival's biggest highlight is the "Hokkai belly button dance competition" attended by a total of 4,000 dancers in two days. Participants draw large faces on their bellies (known as "Zubara") and march around happily! With this dance competition as a center piece, many other events are held such as the "belly button gourmet" where local restaurants using local ingredients prepare original dishes that are somehow related to the belly button, and other fun activities in two days.

Things to do

1.　Join the belly button dance!

Held from 7 to 8 pm on both dates of the festival, is the "Hokkai belly button dance competition". You may join on the day of the festival, to dance as the group "jump-in team". Please join the fun as you are allowed to participate even if you are by yourself. (there is a 100 person limit to each festival date, and participation fee is ¥2,000 per person *including gear)

2.　Enjoy the "belly button gourmet"!

Many food stalls are set up, providing local food that is somehow related to the belly button. It is the dream collaboration of the belly button and your ordinary day-to-day Japanese food, such as curry and yakisoba (fried noodles). Enjoy the blessings of Hokkaido.

3.　Visit the Heso Shrine

Heso Shrine—the mental backbone of the festival. Properly known as Hokushin Shrine, it is regarded at the belly button shrine, because it is located in the middle of Hokkaido. The "Hahako-do" standing right next to the shrine keeps and protects umbilical cords from children across the country. Please experience the family ties and bonds of the people at the festival.

Information （基本情報）

Festival Dates July 28th & 29th, 2019
Held annually on the 28th & 29th of July
Place Temporary Venue inside Shin-aioi Shopping Street
General Participation Available
International Reception and Info. Multi-lingual flyers and pamphlets are available at the festival location.
Few of the staff members can handle foreign languages.
Wi-Fi Unavailable at the festival location
Restrooms Temporary lavatories are set up inside the venue. Furthermore, certain stores have allowed for the festival-goers to use their toilets.
Other useful Info. There are spaces to change (tents) if you are participating in the dance.
HP
http://www.furano.ne.jp/hesomatsuri/
SNS
https://www.facebook.com/hokkaihesomatsuri/?fref=ts
Contact Hokkai Heso Matsuri Execution Committee (sector of Furano City Department of Economy, Division of Tourism & Commerce)
0167-39-2312