We’re Going to Japan! Discovering the Marimo Moss Ball’s Sacred Festival Roots

Woman in a colorful kimono walking through a traditional Japanese garden with moss-covered ground and wooden architecture, evoking the serene atmosphere of Japan’s cultural heritage. Scenes like this are common near Lake Akan, home of the sacred Marimo Moss Ball and the annual Marimo Festival. Woman in a colorful kimono walking through a traditional Japanese garden with moss-covered ground and wooden architecture, evoking the serene atmosphere of Japan’s cultural heritage. Scenes like this are common near Lake Akan, home of the sacred Marimo Moss Ball and the annual Marimo Festival.

We’re Going to Japan!

Our Mission to Discover the Origins of the Marimo Moss Ball Begins

At Moss Ball Pets, we’re more than just moss ball enthusiasts — we’re on a mission to become the world’s leading source on the mysterious, magical Marimo Moss Ball.

That’s why… We’re heading to Japan! 💚

Why Japan? Because this beautiful country is the heart and soul of Marimo history, and home to some of the only naturally occurring Marimo colonies in the world — including the most famous one of all: Lake Akan in Hokkaido.

Following the Roots of the Marimo Legend

While Marimo Moss Balls (also called Cladophora Balls or Lake Balls) grow in a few parts of the world, no place embraces them like Japan. In fact, Marimo are considered a national treasure — both biologically and culturally.

We'll be diving deep into the story of Marimo:

  • Visiting Lake Akan, the birthplace of the largest known Marimo colonies
  • Attending the Marimo Matsuri, a one-of-a-kind festival dedicated to these floating green legends
  • Learning about the Ainu people and their spiritual connection to the Marimo
  • Exploring the unique way Marimo are viewed not just as plants, but as living symbols of love, luck, and longevity
Women dressed in traditional Japanese attire performing a dance at the Marimo Matsuri festival in Lake Akan, Japan. Their kimonos feature Marimo moss ball designs with bright green circles, red sashes, and black wave patterns, and they wear woven straw hats while raising their hands in a ceremonial gesture.
Infographic titled 'The Events of the Marimo Festival' featuring five traditional activities held during the Marimo Matsuri in Lake Akan, Japan. Illustrated sections include: Lantern-lit lake procession, Ainu dance and music, return of the Marimo moss balls to the lake, Ainu storytelling, and nature education activities — all framed with cherry blossoms and Japanese landscape motifs.

What is the Marimo Matsuri?

Held annually in October, the Marimo Matsuri (Marimo Festival) is a spiritual and cultural celebration in Hokkaido.

The festival honors Marimo not just as aquatic plants, but as living beings with a spirit, worthy of protection and respect. Ceremonies are led by Ainu elders and include:

  • Sacred dances and music
  • The ceremonial return of Marimo to the lake
  • Lantern-lit processions along Lake Akan

We’ll be there to experience it all — and bring back inspiration for future Moss Ball Pet terrarium designs and eco-friendly decor ideas.

Souvenir Surprises Are Coming…

As a thank you to our amazing community, we’re bringing back authentic Marimo souvenirs from Japan and including them in customer orders after our return if you use the special promo code.

What kind of treasures, you ask?

✨ Limited-edition Marimo keychains

💚 Soft Marimo plushies

🖼️ Stickers and festival memorabilia from Lake Akan

Display rack filled with colorful Marimo-themed keychains and souvenirs in various shades of green, featuring cute cartoon Marimo characters, beads, and fuzzy charms. These Hokkaido-exclusive items are popular gifts and collectibles associated with the Marimo Moss Ball and the Marimo Festival in Japan.

🎁 How to Get Your Free Souvenir from Japan! 🎁

To receive a free, authentic souvenir from our trip to the Marimo Festival in Japan, just follow these steps:

✅ Place your order between Oct. 5 and Oct. 20

✅ Use promo code: JAPANSURPRISE at checkout

Your souvenir will ship with your Moss Ball Pet after we return on Oct. 20!

💡 Bonus!

If you order before Oct. 5, don’t worry — we’ll still honor the promo as long as you use the code. Just note: Your order will ship after Oct. 20 with your special surprise!

✈️ Shipping Pause Notice: Order by October 5th!

While we’re abroad chasing mossy magic, our U.S. shipping will pause temporarily. Here's what you need to know:

✅ Last day to order before we leave: Saturday, October 5th

🔁 Shipping resumes: Monday, October 20th

We’ll still be accepting orders during our trip — but if you want your Moss Ball Pets shipped before we leave, don’t wait!

FAQ Section: Marimo, the Ainu, and the Festival at Lake Akan

The Marimo Festival is an annual cultural event held in Lake Akan, Hokkaido, Japan. It celebrates the Marimo Moss Ball, which is considered a national treasure and spiritual symbol. The festival features Ainu ceremonies, music, and a symbolic return of Marimo to the lake, emphasizing conservation and respect for nature.

The Marimo Festival, or Marimo Matsuri, is typically held each year in mid-October in the town of Akankohan in Hokkaido. The event lasts several days and includes traditional Ainu rituals, lantern processions, and ecological education about the preservation of Marimo in Lake Akan.

The Ainu, the Indigenous people of Hokkaido, view Marimo as sacred symbols of nature and spiritual beings. According to Ainu legend, Marimo were formed from the tears of forbidden lovers. The Ainu have long believed that Marimo carry good fortune and should be protected, which is why they are honored during the Marimo Festival.

Yes, Lake Akan in Hokkaido is one of the only places in the world where Marimo Moss Balls naturally form in spherical shapes due to water currents. These wild Marimo are protected under Japanese law and cannot be removed. The lake's unique conditions make it an ideal habitat for large, velvety Marimo colonies.


Marimo in Lake Akan are protected as a Japanese national treasure. Removing them from the lake is illegal to preserve their natural habitat and ensure long-term conservation. Tourists and businesses are strictly prohibited from collecting wild Marimo, and legal action can be taken against those who violate this law.

Yes, visitors can see live Marimo at the Lake Akan Eco Museum Center and nearby facilities in Hokkaido, Japan. These exhibits offer educational displays and close-up views of wild Marimo without disturbing their habitat. The town of Akankohan is also home to the annual Marimo Festival and various cultural events.

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⚠️ Disclaimer:

Marimo from Lake Akan in Hokkaido, Japan, are a protected species, and it is strictly illegal to remove them from their natural habitat. At Moss Ball Pets, we are fully committed to responsible, sustainable, and legal practices.

The Marimo Moss Balls we offer are the same species (commonly known as Cladophora Balls or Lake Balls), but are sustainably grown in our nursery — never taken from the wild.

This trip is dedicated to immersing ourselves in the cultural and historical roots of Marimo in Japan. We will not be acquiring any live Marimo outside of permitted, legal sources, and we fully support the conservation efforts that protect these remarkable aquatic plants.