Over seven days from Sunday, August 17 to Saturday, August 23, 2025, a variety of events were held at the Kushiro River Fureai Plaza in Teshikaga Town. With the aim of fostering interaction among people from within and outside the town and revitalizing the local community, participants enjoyed a series of lively and memorable experiences. Below is an introduction to the events.
A wonderful dance performance was presented by Iori Watanabe, representative of the I&M Baton Studio active in Teshikaga Town, together with her students (top image). As national competition champions, their performance was truly impressive. Volunteers thoughtfully filled the gaps between the stepped concrete blocks at the dance venue with cement to prevent falls, a gesture that reflected the warmth and care of the local community.
As the opening event, MASAHIRO, the third-generation owner of Miyazaki Flower Shop in Teshikaga, created a beautiful ikebana arrangement in time with music performed by Carin, a singer-songwriter active in Sapporo (second from the right). This floral arrangement remained on display until the final day of the event, adding color and elegance to the venue.
A kawadoko (a wooden deck built over the water) extended from the stepped riverbank blocks over the Kushiro River, offering visitors a cool and refreshing place to relax during this particularly hot summer. In the evening, enjoying a drink with friends while gazing at the river created a wonderfully atmospheric scene.
A watermelon-splitting game was held using water from the Kushiro River to chill the fruit thoroughly. For many children, this was their first such experience. Younger children took part without blindfolds. Afterward, the watermelon was carefully washed and shared among everyone at the venue.
Keiichiro Morimasa, representative of the disaster-prevention awareness group DIRT, along with former members of the Self-Defense Forces and firefighters, explained in an easy-to-understand way how to stay safe while playing in rivers to children from Mashu Certified Children’s Center in Teshikaga Town. Some children learned for the first time that there can be hidden dangers in a river they see every day.
Children took the lead in cleaning a bridge over the Kushiro River using scrubbing brushes and cloths. Many were surprised to see how dirty the bridge was despite crossing it regularly. Seeing the handrails and walkways become spotless helped them feel a stronger sense of attachment to the bridge.
Street dancer TATSUO, who moved to Akan Town after being captivated by the local community and nature and now performs at the Akan Lake Ainu Theater, presented a creative dance performance accompanied by Takayuki Suzuki, a musician who plays dome-shaped metal instruments layered together to produce gentle, resonant tones. The audience watched the performance with rapt attention.
At night, an enchanting space was created in the plaza pool, led by Kurage, a student from Hokkaido University, and IT professional Ryuji Koyasu. Glass marbles painted by participants during the day were illuminated, and glowing Ezotsutsuji flowers created with a 3D printer—matching the Kushiro River’s total length of 154 km—were displayed. The calls of red-crowned cranes and white-tailed eagles native to the Kushiro Wetland were expressed through light.
The event concluded with the “Kushiro Thunder Performance” by members of the Kushiro Ironworks Association Youth Division. This performance uses sparks produced when electric grinders (used in metalworking) come into contact with metal, scattering the sparks in rhythm with music. Performances were set to four songs, including “Lilac” by Mrs. GREEN APPLE. Many in the audience cheered loudly at the fireworks-like sparks, which were a first-time experience for many.
