It is often said that Hokkaido is a different “country” all on its own. This northernmost tip of Japan is the country’s second-largest island, which became a full-fledged prefecture only in 1947. While the capital Sapporo may be the most frequented destination, the eastern region of Kushiro abounds in national parks, wildlife, a huge…
KUSHIRO, Hokkaido “Marimo” moss balls, the fuzzy green spheres that have brought fame to Lake Akanko here, are shrinking because of global warming, a research group found.
The beauty and detail of Takeki Fujito’s wooden carvings of wild animals and Ainu ancestors so impressed a veteran museum curator that he started planning a special exhibition after the artist’s death in 2018.
Hida Suppon Marimo moss balls shown at the Gifu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gifu on Nov. 24 (Fumiko Takaki)
TAKAYAMA, Gifu Prefecture Officials are trying to give the struggling area here a boost through sales of a more durable “marimo” moss ball that forms in hot spring water used to cultivate “suppon” softshell turtles.
Marimo moss balls grow naturally in Lake Akanko in Hokkaido and elsewhere, and the cute appearance of the small ones has long made them imported or artificially made popular bottled desk ornaments.
The Hida Suppon Marimo from the Okuhida onsen hot spring resort here can be kept in tap water.