Summer 2025! The Hokkai Navel Festival to be held in Furano: "Faces" painted on the belly will dance and laugh!

  • Hokkaido
  • Experience Gifu
Fun dance by the faces on the belly. Photo courtesy of Furano Tourism Association.

HOKKAI HESO MATSURI 2025 will be held on Monday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 29, 2025!

The Hokkai Navel Festival is held every year on July 28th and 29th, and this year marks its 57th year. The festival has become famous throughout Japan as a colorful summer event in Furano. It is very popular among tourists, attracting not only Furano citizens but also tourists from overseas! It is one of the representative summer festivals of Hokkaido. Let us introduce you to the traditional navel dance of the Hokkai Navel Festival!

Lots to see and do! Watch out for the dancing and the facial expressions on their bellies!

The Navel Dance of the "Hokkai Navel Festival" is called "Zu-belly Odori," in which colorful "faces" are drawn on the belly and danced to the accompaniment of the Hokkai Navel Ondo. The faces on their bellies also dance, changing their expressions as they parade through the streets! There are many tricks to the dance, such as the beauty of the painted faces, the sense of rhythm, and the movements of the feet. The most important thing is to enjoy dancing with your friends! The traditional and powerful navel dance, the twisting belly face will make you laugh!

Date: Monday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 29, 2025

■Place: Special venue on Shin Aioi Street in Furano City

*For details, please visit the official website of the 57th Hokkai Navel Festival.
The exuberant dance of the "faces" on the belly Photo courtesy of Furano Tourism Association
Please enjoy the various expressions on their faces! Photo courtesy of Furano Tourism Association

Held every July! The Hokkai Heso Festival strengthens bonds between people

Found at Furano Station

The "Hokkai Navel Festival" started in 1969 because Furano City, located in the center of Hokkaido, corresponds to the middle "navel" of the human body. The theme of this festival is "strengthening bonds through the navel," and it is a festival where not only parents and children can bond, but also local Furano residents and tourists can enjoy the festival together.

The official character of the Hokkai Navel Festival, "Navel Marukun

He loves navel dancing! Navel Marukun"
Photo courtesy of Furano Tourism Association
Welcome to Furano Station!
Many visitors look forward to this event every year, and it was featured in the TV drama "Kita no Kuni Kara" that has continued for over 30 years. The official character of the Hokkai Navel Festival, "Navel Marukun," will also participate on the day of the festival!

Limited opportunity for 100 people! Navel Dancing Experience

If just watching the festival is not enough for you, there will be a chance to jump in and join in the fun! If you are not satisfied with just watching, there will be a chance to jump in and join the event!
If you wish to participate, please register directly at the "Float" parking lot between 15:00 and 17:00 on the day of the event. If you wish to participate, please apply directly at the reception desk at the "Flatto Parking Lot" between 15:00 and 17:00 on the day of the festival.

◆Reception Time 15:00-17:00
◆Reception Place Flatto Parking Lot
◆Participation Fee: With Heso Odori costume set: 3,500 yen (You can take Happi and Kasa home.)
*If you participate with your own costume: 1,000 yen

*For details, please visit the official website of the 57th Hokkai Heso Matsuri. Please check the website for details.
Dancing to the tune of "navel ondo! Photo courtesy of Furano Tourism Association
What kind of face will you draw? Photo courtesy of Furano Tourism Association

Navel dancing and navel gourmet food! Let's enjoy Furano in its entirety!

On the day of the festival, there will be many attractions such as the "Hokkai Navel Dance Contest," "Children's Navel Dance Contest," "Demonstration by the Navel Dance Preservation Society," "Japanese drum performance by Furano Iyasaka Taiko" and a performance by the Furano High School Calligraphy Club! There will also be dance and music performances by the people of Furano City. In the "Special Products City Navel Gourmet" event, Furano's restaurants will gather and set up stalls offering original gourmet foods!

Why don't you come to the "Hokkai Navel Festival" this year and create memories of your trip that you can only experience in Furano in summer?

All photos unless otherwise noted: taken by the Hokkaido News Department
Faces with a belly full of individuality Photo courtesy of Furano Tourism Association
Click here for the official website of the 57th Hokkai Navel Festival
Click here for the Furano Tourism Association's official website
For more information about "Furano and Biei 2025 by JR", please visit the official website of JR Hokkaido

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