Ten years ago, Moss Ball Pets was born from a simple fascination — a tiny green orb in a small tank that captured our curiosity and, ultimately, our hearts. What started as a single moment of wonder turned into a decade-long love affair with Marimo Moss Balls, and a commitment to share their beauty, science, and spirit with the world.
From the very beginning, we knew there was a place — a sacred, mossy destination — that we had to visit someday: Lake Akan in Hokkaido, Japan.
We had read the stories.
We had watched the documentaries.
We had seen the photos of an entire town devoted to these magical aquatic spheres.
For years, Lake Akan felt like a distant, moss-covered legend — the Marimo Motherland. It was only a matter of time until we made the journey ourselves.
But this wasn’t just a personal pilgrimage.
Over the past decade, we’ve been lucky to build a global community of tens of thousands of Marimo lovers, collectors, hobbyists, and aquascapers. We hear from people every week who are just as mesmerized by Marimo as we were that first day. This trip wasn’t just for us — it was for you, too.
We made this journey to bring back more than souvenirs. We brought back stories, insights, photos, videos, and an unshakable sense of awe — all to share with you here.
This page is our journal and our offering:
+ A detailed look into the magic of Lake Akan
+ A deep dive into the culture of the Ainu people
+ A love letter to the Ankanko Onsen Village
+ And a reverent tribute to the legendary Marimo Moss Ball
We’re honored to share what we experienced in the most comprehensive English-language guide to this sacred corner of Japan. Whether you’re planning your own mossy adventure or just want to see the world of Marimo through our eyes, you’re in the right place.
Scroll down for our full travel guide — complete with personal commentary, photos, and videos — and immerse yourself in the spirit of theMarimo Motherland.
Nestled in the heart of Hokkaido, Japan, Lake Akan is more than just a scenic destination — it's the sacred birthplace of the world’s most iconic Marimo moss balls.
This volcanic crater lake isn’t only home to breathtaking natural beauty and centuries-old indigenous culture. It also houses something truly rare in the world of aquatic plants: the largest, naturally forming spherical colonies of Marimo anywhere on Earth.
Lake Akan (阿寒湖, Akan-ko)is located in Kushiro, eastern Hokkaido, and formed over 6,000 years ago through volcanic activity. Fed by mineral-rich waters and surrounded by lush forest and active geothermal zones, the lake maintains:
These are the perfect conditions for Marimo— a rare form of Cladophora algae that, under the right circumstances, grows into perfectly round, velvety green spheres. But Lake Akan isn’t just a Marimo habitat. It is the Marimo habitat. Nowhere else in the world do Marimo grow:
In 1921, the Japanese government officially designated the Marimo of Lake Akan as a "National Natural Treasure."
Why?
Because they’re extraordinarily rare, and found only under highly specific environmental conditions. The phenomenon of naturally forming, large spherical Marimo is so unique that it became a symbol of national pride and ecological wonder.
This status ensures:
Conservation efforts began in earnest in the 1950s after pollution threatened the Marimo population. Since then, local citizens, researchers, and Ainu leaders have worked together to protect this natural phenomenon.
Located within Lake Akan, Churui Island (チュウルイ島) is a small, forested island accessible only by ferry. It houses the Marimo Exhibition Center, a museum and conservation facility dedicated entirely to Marimo.
Churui Island is more than just a tourist stop — it’s a preservation site for some of the lake’s most impressive Marimo colonies, maintained in large tanks that simulate their natural habitat. Visitors to the island can:
The moment you step off the plane at Kushiro Airport in Hokkaido, Japan, it becomes clear: you're entering sacred Marimo territory.
Greeting you is a large, vibrant display celebrating the legendary Marimo moss ball— not just as a natural wonder, but as a cultural icon. Signs throughout the airport showcase stunning imagery of Marimo alongside representations of the Ainu people, the indigenous guardians of this region. You’ll spot traditional garments, beautiful woodcarvings, and even photos of Ainu tribe members gently holding these rare aquatic spheres as if they were relics.
🎟️Step one is picking up your ferry ticket at the booth. Right next to it is a small but charming gift shop and a lakeside café. The standout treat? A cone of bright green Marimo-themed soft-serve ice cream— a sweet and fitting send-off for your mossy adventure.
Just beyond the baggage carousel, you'll find a helpful transportation booth offering direct shuttle service to Akanko Onsen Village, the lakeside town nestled at the foot of Lake Akan— and the true heart of Marimo country.
The bus ride takes about an hour and a half, winding through Hokkaido’s serene, forested landscape. As you get closer to Akanko Onsen, the presence of Marimo intensifies. Cartoon Marimo characters beam from the sides of buses. Moss ball symbols appear on signs for shops, hotels, restaurants, and ferry terminals. Even the visitor centers proudly wear their mossy mascot like a badge of honor.
Once you begin exploring Akanko Onsen Village, the town’s deep love for Marimo becomes impossible to ignore. Every single shop — and we mean every single one — is bursting with Marimo-themed treasures. Right inside the entrance, you’ll find beautifully arranged Marimo terrariums for sale, complete with miniature landscapes, care kits, and even decorative elements specific to the region. Need a souvenir? You’re covered:
This isn't tourist kitsch — this is genuine regional pride. In Akanko Onsen, Marimo is more than a product; it’s a part of their identity.
One of the most powerful stops in the area is the Akanko Eco Museum Center. Here, the region’s deep environmental and cultural roots come to life. The museum offers a comprehensive look into Ainu culture, showcasing their:
But for moss ball lovers like us, the true highlight is the Marimo science exhibits. Inside the museum’s aquatic tanks, you’ll find some of the healthiest, greenest Marimo you’ve ever seen, cared for in pristine, filtered environments. The displays walk you through:
It’s equal parts educational, emotional, and inspiring.
Once you’ve settled into Akanko Onsen Village, one of the absolute must-do activities is the Lake Akan sightseeing ferry— a scenic and soulful ride that takes you to Churui Island, home of the world-famous Marimo Exhibition Center.
Outside the ferry terminal, you'll be greeted by colorful signs featuring adorable Marimo characters— vibrant green orbs with smiling faces — pointing the way to the ticket booth. These cheerful moss ball mascots are everywhere in this town, and they let you know: you’re about to embark on something special.
🎟️Step one is picking up your ferry ticket at the booth. Right next to it is a small but charming gift shop and a lakeside café. The standout treat? A cone of brightgreen Marimo-themed soft-serve ice cream— a sweet and fitting send-off for your mossy adventure.
As the ferry pulls into the dock, you’ll spot more Marimo decals and character portraits adorning the boat. These aren’t just decorations — they’re a celebration of the moss ball's mythical status in this region.
Once aboard, a video begins playing on loop in the cabin. It’s in Japanese, but even if you don’t understand the narration, the visuals are breathtaking — highlighting the natural beauty of Lake Akan, the Ainu culture, and of course, the legendary Marimo moss balls. Then, the boat sets off across the lake, and the magic begins.
Visiting Lake Akan in autumn is like stepping into a watercolor painting.
The shoreline is ablaze with color —deep greens, fiery reds, brilliant yellows, and rich oranges reflected on the still water like a mirror. The scenery is so quiet and peaceful, yet emotionally overwhelming. The ferry glides through coves so serene and picturesque they feel like scenes straight out of a Studio Ghibli film.
Along the way, we even spotted a small group of Ainu fishermen near the shore — a rare and powerful reminder of the cultural roots that have nurtured and protected this lake for generations.
Eventually, the ferry approaches its destination: Churui Island, also called Marimo Island. As you dock, a cheerful green wooden cutout of a Marimo character greets you with open arms — pointing the way to the Marimo Exhibition Center.
You’re not alone — this is a popular stop. Visitors walk together down a short path until you reach a modest building with signage in both Japanese and English that proudly announces: Welcome to the Marimo Exhibition Center.
Inside, guests naturally begin to move in a counter-clockwise loop around the central circular room — and each step reveals a deeper layer of Marimo’s fascinating story.
This is not just a museum — it's a sanctuary for Marimo.As you begin exploring the displays, you’ll see:
And then, the showstopper.
At the far end of the room is a massive, crystal-clear aquarium tank holding thousands of gallons of pristine water. A large natural log rests across the tank bed. All around it, close to a hundred spherical Marimo moss balls— perfectly round, deep green, and majestic.
Some of these Marimo are up to 10 inches in diameter. It's the closest any of us can get to seeing the Marimo habitat at the bottom of Lake Akan — without diving in ourselves.
A separate tank near the exit features a single, giant Marimo with a ruler inside the tank for scale. This moss ball is nearly the size of a soccer ball, perfectly round, and impossibly vibrant. It was, without question, the most awe-inspiring Marimo we’ve ever seen in person.
The only downside? You only get 15 minutes on the island before you’re herded back onto the ferry.
As lifelong Marimo enthusiasts, it felt far too short. We could’ve spent hours exploring the tanks, studying the exhibits, and soaking in the serenity of the island. Still, even a brief visit is enough to make an impact.
This is the Marimo mecca— and worth every moment.
You don’t need to go looking for Marimo in Akanko Onsen Village— it finds you.
As soon as you step off the shuttle bus into town, you're greeted by a familiar face: a cheerful green cartoon Marimo character wrapped around the side of the bus itself. It sets the tone immediately — this isn’t just a lakeside village; this isMarimo Town.
And the deeper you explore, the more you realize: Marimo is absolutely everywhere.
Within minutes of wandering the streets, you’ll notice that nearly every souvenir shop has Marimo terrariums proudly displayed out front. Small glass jars filled with water and floating moss balls gleam in the sunlight — each one a tiny portal to the lake just beyond the village.
Step inside, and you're greeted by a mossy explosion of merchandise:
Even items labeled with Hokkaido or Lake Akan almost always include a little mossy orb —Marimo is the star of the show.
The Marimo madness doesn’t stop with souvenirs. It's literally built into the town itself.As you stroll through Akanko Onsen, keep an eye out for:
It’s as if the entire infrastructure was custom-made for a Marimo lover's scavenger hunt.
And then there’s the Marimo mascot— the one you can’t unsee once you’ve spotted it.
His name is Marimokkori (a combination of Marimo+mokkori, a Japanese slang word for… well, let’s just say it’s a "bulge"). Yes, the round-cheeked, green-suited cartoon character of Akanko Onsen sports a very prominent downstairs lump— and somehow, it’s not just accepted, it’s celebrated.
In the U.S., this might raise eyebrows. But in Akanko Onsen? It’s all part of the fun.
You'll find Marimokkori:
Whether you giggle or shake your head, you can’t help but admire how fully the town has embraced its quirky mascot. And for many visitors (us included), it just adds to the playful charm of the place.
As longtime Marimo enthusiasts, seeing this level of passion woven into the fabric of a community was truly emotional. It wasn’t just tourism — it felt like devotion. You could feel it in the signage, in the smiles of the shopkeepers, in the lovingly curated terrariums, and in the way even infrastructure wore its mossy heart on its sleeve.
Akanko Onsen isn’t just a place that sells Marimo — it’s a place that lives and breathes them. If you’ve ever loved a moss ball… you have to experience this for yourself.
Lake Akan may feel like a faraway dream, but getting there is easier than you might think — and absolutely worth the journey.
Whether you're planning a Marimo pilgrimage or just exploring northern Japan, this guide will help you get from the U.S. all the way to the mossy shores of Akanko Onsen Village with minimal stress and maximum excitement.
There are several hotel options in the Akanko area, but we stayed at Akan Yuku no Sato Tsuruga, and it was an excellent choice — especially for Marimo fans and international visitors.Why we loved it:
One of the most unexpected delights of our stay was a Marimo-inspired tofu dish served at the hotel buffet — a charming and delicious tribute to the lake's most famous resident.
Here’s how it works:
It’s a playful nod to Marimo, and yet another example of how deeply this town celebrates its moss ball icon.