This is the final installment of our three-month collaboration between 'Dropkick on My Devil! X Mame Anime (Hokkaido Arc)' and Domingo! And please look forward to 'Dropkick on My Devil! X', starting in July! The theme for our 12th installment is the "Hokkai Heso Matsuri."

In Furano, the "Hokkai Heso Matsuri" (North Sea Belly Button Festival) is held every year on July 28th and 29th. Participants paint faces, called 'zubara,' on their stomachs and dance in formation to the rhythm of the 'Hokkai Heso Ondo' song.

The zubara, painted in various styles by different artists, wiggle and jiggle on all sorts of body types, bringing laughter to the onlookers. Among them, the zubara on large bellies are especially powerful and dynamic, drawing the loudest cheers.

But why a belly button dance in Furano? It turns out that Furano is located at the very center of Hokkaido. The Furano City Charter even states, "We are citizens of Furano, where the central marker of Hokkaido stands." In other words, Furano is the belly button of Hokkaido. There's even a mascot character named "Heso-maru kun" who appeared in the anime!

The first Hokkai Heso Matsuri was held on August 15, 1969. Initially, there was some opposition, with people calling the act of exposing one's belly button obscene or vulgar. However, the festival's creators never gave up on their romantic vision of the belly button as "the bond of love between parent and child and the source of life."

Having continued to this day, the Hokkai Heso Matsuri is now a summer tradition in Furano. To ensure the festival is safe and enjoyable, young people perform a purification ritual called 'misogi' at Hokushin Shrine before the event.

From children to adults, you can join in and dance your heart out, or just watch and have a good laugh. The Hokkai Heso Matsuri, now a source of pride for Furano, brightly and joyfully colors the short summer of the northern country.

Commerce and Tourism Division, Economic Department, Furano City
Location: Concierge Furano 2F, 2-27 Honcho, Furano, Hokkaido
Contact: 0167-39-2312
Official Website: https://www.city.furano.hokkaido.jp/

Commerce and Tourism Division, Economic Department, Furano City