This is Miyanaga from GP!
Have you ever heard of the night walk event “Kamuy Lumina” held in the Akan-Mashu National Park at Lake Akan, Kushiro, Hokkaido? It’s a special immersive experience that takes place only at night from May to November, where visitors can walk through the national park and experience Ainu legends brought to life through projection mapping.

By Day a National Park, By Night a Stage for Ainu Legends

The venue for Kamuy Lumina is a lakeside forest in Hokkaido’s Akan-Mashu National Park.
During the day, it’s an ordinary national park open to the public—but when night falls, the area transforms into an event stage. Because it’s located along the shores of Lake Akan, there are almost no streetlights or signs of the city. Participants rely only on the faint glow of lanterns and the light from their “Rhythm Sticks”, illuminated staffs that guide them on a 1.2-km journey through an Ainu folktale passed down for generations.

As they walk, Ainu folk songs flow softly from the rhythm sticks, setting a deeply atmospheric tone.
Following the dimly lit path, participants suddenly encounter an owl that appears before them and begins to speak. Through a mesmerizing combination of lighting, projection mapping, the natural sounds of the forest, and the gentle waves of Lake Akan, an enchanting world unfolds before their eyes.

The owl tells participants that the Kamuy (the Ainu gods) are angry with humans and have withdrawn the animals from the forest. It asks for their help—together with the jaybird—to calm the gods’ wrath.
“The Kamuy may forgive us if they hear the jay’s song and the rhythm you create with your sticks,” the owl says. And so, the journey continues

participants listen to the voices of forest creatures, learn their rhythms, and set out to meet the Kamuy themselves…
What happens next, however, is something you’ll have to experience for yourself.

The Magic of Nature × Technology × Immersive Experience

What struck me most about Kamuy Lumina was the extraordinary sense of wonder that arises when nature, cutting-edge technology, and human experience intertwine.
Unlike typical projection mapping that decorates buildings, Kamuy Lumina uses it to bring mystical beings to life within the forest itself.

Along the route, visitors pass through areas where they can smell natural sulfur or hear the wind sweeping across Lake Akan—reminders that this experience is inseparably tied to its natural setting. The use of technology never overpowers nature; it harmonizes with it, creating a once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere that exists only here.

Adding to this immersion is the interactive element—participants strike the ground with their rhythm sticks, contributing to the story themselves. It’s not just a show you watch; it’s a story you step into.

A Seasonal Experience Worth the Journey

The 2025 Kamuy Lumina season runs from May 10 to November 8.
If you find yourself visiting Lake Akan during that time, I highly recommend taking part in this unforgettable night walk.
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that allows you to feel the heartbeat of Ainu mythology while surrounded by the living beauty of nature.