The harmony of nature, animals,
and humans woven together with the seasons.

The Poem of Marimo Nurtured by Water and Forest
- The Miraculous Cycle Nurtured by Lake Akan

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, the Akan Caldera was born. Fire and water intertwined, the forest and lake transformed, nurturing the land of life. Pure waters flowed in from the outer rim, shallow lakeshores spread out, and winds blew from the south. This series of coincidences layered upon one another eventually led to the birth of the miraculous sphere known as "Marimo." The power of hot springs bubbling from the lakebed, the activity of microorganisms, and the rhythm of photosynthesis woven by sunlight—all resonated together, embodying the very breath of nature in Akan.

Akibe Depo
- The Person Who Speaks with the Forest

Mr. Akibe Depo , who was born and raised by the shores of Lake Akan, is a person who conveys the Ainu philosophy that has persisted in this land for two thousand years in contemporary language. In his storytelling, the whispers of the forest and the light of the lake come to life. Whether in a ceremonial space or in front of a bonfire, when one hears his words, the time in which nature and humanity have coexisted gently revives. He recalls that his grandmother taught him in his childhood, "The ground is a living being." It purifies the water that has been polluted by humans, nurtures plants and flowers, and gives rise to hot springs. That is the essence of the earth. Snakes, frogs, and insects are all fragments of the divine. Bullying them is not permitted, and he learned from his father to show respect for all of nature.

One day, after seeing a snake soaked in alcohol, my father took the bottle to the mountains, buried it respectfully, and offered a prayer. "Tanne Kamui—this is a deity," he said. In that moment, Mr. Akibe understood the boundary between nurturing life and showing respect. There is a teaching in the Ainu language: "Kanto Orowa Yaku Sakunok Arankepe Shinepu Ka Isamu." Nothing that descends from the heavens is without purpose. Every living being on this land has meaning, existing while listening to each other and helping one another. This is the wisdom of coexistence that the Ainu people have passed down through generations. Mr. Akibe's narration quietly seeps into the hearts of those who listen. It reminds us that Lake Akan is not just a tourist destination, but a sacred place where people, nature, and culture coexist.

Naoyuki Matsuoka
- A Person Living with the Lake

Naoyuki Matsuoka, born in the Akan Lake hot springs, has walked alongside this land. He has lived deeply intertwined with the lake, its people, nature, and tourism. As a boy, he made a vow while listening to the wind crossing the lakeshore: "I want to protect the future of this place." This was also a pride that had been passed down through generations in Akan.
As tourism began to develop, Matsuoka continually questioned himself: What should be preserved, and what must not be changed? He dedicated his days to balancing tourism with nature conservation, starting with the marimo preservation movement. His passion expanded into community development and cultural activities, shaping the future of Akan Lake.
"The exquisite relationship between nature and humanity." True to these words, Matsuoka has viewed Akan Lake not merely as a place for leisure but as a place for living. His way of life is the very story of Akan Lake—loving the lake and becoming a quiet light that illuminates the future.

From deep within the forest, a red fox emerges, while a squirrel carries acorns, and the call of a jay resonates across the autumn sky. Each of these elements beautifully intertwines, like brushstrokes depicting the autumn of Lake Akan. Soon, dusk arrives. Fiery reds illuminate the lake's surface, as the forest and sky meld into one. Here, humans and nature honor each other, gently drawing close. This tranquil moment captures the true essence of autumn at Lake Akan.