Hokkaido Belly Button Festival

Overview

The Hokkai Belly Button Festival (Hokkai Heso Matsuri) is a summer festival held annually on July 28th and 29th in Furano City, Hokkaido. The name of the festival originates from the concept that Furano is the geographical center of Hokkaido, and therefore its belly button. Participants paint elaborate pictures and letters on their stomachs and perform a unique belly dance called the "zu-bara odori" (belly painting dance).

The main attraction of the festival is this distinctive belly dance, where participants paint faces, characters, and various designs on their exposed abdomens, entertaining the audience with humorous movements. The festival has grown to become a representative summer event in Hokkaido, gathering approximately 4,000 dancers and 70,000 tourists over its two-day duration . The venue is located around Motomachi area within walking distance of JR Furano Station, with multiple stages and vendor areas set up throughout the site.

History and Origin

The origin of the Hokkai Belly Button Festival lies in the Furano City Charter established in July 1969. This charter contained the phrase "We are citizens of Furano, where the central marker of Hokkaido stands," which sparked the idea that just as the navel is the center of the human body, the central marker of Hokkaido could be considered the region's belly button . This concept was developed into a form of folk performance with the aim of linking it to the future development of tourism and commerce, spreading through the local shopping district.

Three individuals played indispensable roles in creating the festival: Shuho Misakami, Tohachi Morita, and Eijiro Yokoo. These three men, known as the "Heso Sanba Garasu" (Three Belly Button Crows) or "Heso Kichi" (Belly Button Maniacs), poured their dedication and passion into shaping the original form of the Hokkai Belly Button Festival . According to local accounts, gathering dancers for the first event was extremely difficult, requiring organizers to cajole and persuade reluctant young people until they finally managed to get eleven people to dance.

The festival's date also reflects strong conviction. Initially held on August 15, it was fixed to July 28th and 29th from the third edition onward. This decision stems from the festival's cultural and climatic characteristics centered around the concepts of "central marker," "belly button," and "dance," as well as its pride as the annual festival of the Heso Shrine (Hokushin Shrine) . Interestingly, while light rain has occasionally fallen during the daytime on these dates, the dance competition time slots have mysteriously remained dry every year, reinforcing the organizers' commitment to this fixed schedule despite calls to move it to weekends for convenience.

The apparently whimsical and humorous Hokkai Belly Button Dance actually embodies a noble spirit from the pioneer era. It was created to honor the robust pioneer spirit of settlers who, facing dark primeval forests even during daytime, concentrated power in their lower abdomen (seika tanden) as they felled huge trees one by one and cultivated the land . Today, four types of dance have been established: (1) standard Hokkai Belly Button Dance, (2) parade-style belly button dance, (3) belly painting dance (zu-bara odori), and (4) stage dance, all of which have taken root as traditional culture in Furano City.

Highlights

Belly Painting Dance (Zu-bara Odori) The belly painting dance is the festival's most distinctive feature, where participants paint whatever designs or messages they choose on their abdomens and dance while displaying them to the audience. This originated from the idea that "a festival needs uniqueness, so let's create a dance that makes use of the belly button," proposed by members of the Suzuran Shopping Street . The comical movements created as dancers use their abdominal muscles and whole bodies to express their designs draw laughter from spectators and instantly elevate the festival's excitement.

Heso Shrine (Hokushin Shrine) and Mikoshi Procession The spiritual pillar of the festival is the Heso Shrine, formally known as Hokushin Shrine, located in Nakagoryo, Furano City. This shrine plays a central role in the festival, serving as a place for prayers related to love, birth, growth, health, happiness, prosperity, and peace in life, while questioning humanity's true relationship with nature . During the festival, a portable shrine (mikoshi) is paraded from Hokushin Shrine through the streets, carried by local parishioners in a display of vigor and tradition.

Mother-Child Hall (Hahako-do) Adjacent to Heso Shrine stands a unique facility called the Mother-Child Hall, officially named "Hokushin Jinja Heso no O Hoanden" (Hokushin Shrine Belly Button Cord Storage Hall). This hall was established in 1978 to store and reverently preserve umbilical cords entrusted from all over Japan . As a facility dedicated to protecting umbilical cords as symbols of the bond between life and human love, it is a rare and remarkable institution with few parallels anywhere else.

Hokkaido Central Latitude and Longitude Observation Marker (Center Marker) Located on the grounds of Furano Elementary School, this marker was used for observations conducted by Dr. Kazusei Yamamoto of Kyoto Imperial University over a two-year period starting in 1909. This spot was designated as the center of Hokkaido, where measurements of Earth's gravity, astronomical observations, and latitude/longitude determinations were carried out . Designated as a city-designated cultural property in 1971, it serves as the symbol of "Hokkaido's belly button" and underpins the philosophical foundation of the festival.

Unique Belly Button-Themed Events Throughout the festival grounds, a wide variety of events with belly button themes are held. These include the Belly Button Marathon, Belly Button Shogi Tournament, Belly Button Watermelon Splitting Contest, and Baby Crawling Race, among many others bearing the "belly button" name . These events allow participation from children to adults across a broad age range, fostering a sense of unity throughout the festival.

The Excitement of the Hokkai Belly Button Dance Competition The main event held on both evenings is the Hokkai Belly Button Dance Competition, where participating teams and individuals compete with elaborately designed costumes and abdominal paintings. Their creativity and performance skills are judged, with awards given for outstanding entries . The venue fills with cheers and laughter as spectators enthusiastically support the dancers, creating a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Event Information and Access

• Dates: Annually on July 28 and 29 (fixed dates). Please check the official website for the latest schedule and event status.
• Venue: Motomachi area, Furano City, Hokkaido (within walking distance of JR Furano Station)
• Access: A few minutes' walk from JR Furano Station. Bus service via Furano Bus is also available.
• Organizer: Furano Hokkai Belly Button Festival Executive Committee (Inquiries: 0167-39-2312)
• Admission: Free (some paid events may be held)
• Parking: Temporary parking lots are available, but use of public transportation is recommended.
• Weather Policy: The festival proceeds in light rain. Some programs may be canceled or changed in case of severe weather.

Surrounding Area Information

Furano City is located near the geographical center of Hokkaido and is famous as a tourist destination where lavender and other flowers bloom in summer. Before or after the festival, visitors can enjoy popular sightseeing spots such as Farm Tomita and Furano Marche, experiencing Hokkaido's unique nature and cuisine. Furano is also renowned as a base for skiing and outdoor activities, attracting tourists throughout all four seasons.

Furano City shares a special bond with Nishiwaki City in Hyogo Prefecture, connected through the concept of "belly buttons." Nishiwaki is known as "Japan's belly button" because the 135th meridian east and the 35th parallel north intersect there, and the two cities signed a friendship city agreement on October 20, 1978 . Nishiwaki is home to the "Latitude and Longitude Earth Science Museum," which promotes the significance of latitude and longitude. Visitors to the festival might find it interesting to reflect on this geographical connection.

Furano's food culture is also not to be missed. Local vegetables and dairy products are used in various dishes, and specialty sweets such as "Heso Watermelon" can be enjoyed . During the festival period especially, a local product exhibition and sale along with food stalls branded as "Furano Heso Gourmet" line the streets, providing an excellent opportunity to savor local flavors.

Related Information

• The official website of the Hokkai Belly Button Festival is the "Furano Hokkai Belly Button Festival Official Site," featuring programs and venue maps .
• The festival is organized by the Furano Hokkai Belly Button Festival Executive Committee, reachable by phone at 0167-39-2312.
• The festival's dances are classified into four types: standard Hokkai Belly Button Dance, parade-style belly button dance, belly painting dance (zu-bara odori), and stage dance .
• Hokushin Shrine, also called Heso Shrine, serves as the spiritual pillar of the festival .
• The Hokkaido Central Latitude and Longitude Observation Marker (Center Marker) was designated as a city-designated cultural property in 1971 .
• Furano City and Nishiwaki City in Hyogo Prefecture concluded a friendship city agreement on October 20, 1978 .
• The Mother-Child Hall (Hokushin Shrine Belly Button Cord Storage Hall) was established in 1978 and accepts umbilical cords from across Japan for safekeeping .
• The three festival founders, Shuho Misakami, Tohachi Morita, and Eijiro Yokoo, were known as the "Heso Sanba Garasu" (Three Belly Button Crows), and their contributions continue to be celebrated to this day .

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