Churui Island and Churui River

In the Ainu language, Churui means “fast-flowing current.” Churui Island is a very small, tree-covered island on the northern side of Lake Akan. The area around Churui Bay, located north of Churui Island, is inhabited by a large, spherical variety of Marimo algae and is strictly protected. Visitors can access the island by taking the sightseeing cruise boat that departs from Marimo-no-sato Pier. A Habitat for the Marimo The island houses the Marimo Exhibition Center. Marimo are displayed in aquariums that replicate the lakebed environment of Lake Akan. As the Churui River flows directly into the habitat of these Marimo, close attention is constantly paid to preserving the forest surrounding the river area upstream of the lake.