HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Magical Ainu Dance Performance
Dancing Under a Full Moon is a dreamy fusion of traditional Ainu performances, modern dance, and animation
Kushiro City, Hokkaido
Follow the story of Irenka, an Ezo red fox god who travels back and forth between the realm of the deities and the earth, in a cross-genre performance that explore the identities of the Ainu the indigenous people of Hokkaido and the importance of nurturing the natural world.
The production team and dancers of the Akanko Ainu Theater Ikoro have created a show that seamlessly combines animation, dance, and music to bring the culture and beliefs of the Ainu to audiences through an enchanting performance. The costumes and accessories used in the performance were made by the members of the Akanko Ainu Kotan village, and the sound effects were recorded from the natural environment of Lake Akan to bring in the natural soundscape of the area. Ainu culture is celebrated in the projections, which include traditional Ainu patterns and depictions of villages.
This fusion of contemporary dance, animated images, music, and Ainu culture is a must-see for those visiting the Lake Akan area of Hokkaido.
How to get there
Take a flight from Haneda Airport to Kushiro Airport (about 1 hour and 35 minutes). From there, take the Kushiro bus to Akanko Bus Center (1 hour and 15 minutes). The Akanko Ainu Theater is 10 minutes away on foot.
4-7-84 Akanko Onsen, Akan-cho, Kushiro-shi, Hokkaido
