Heso Matsuri -- Belly Button Festival
July 28 and 29 is the 51st Furano Belly Button Festival.
The fun kicks off on the 28th at 14:30 with the Hokkaido Police doing some kind of singing act. Don't know how that will work out, but there are several performances all afternoon on the festival stage. The 29th is essentially a repeat, so you don't miss anything by attending only one day.
Food is of course available, and served from 15:00 to 21:00.
But the main attraction is, of course, the parade where hundreds proudly bare their painted abdomens in the name of good fun. The parade starts at 19:00.
And for those wanting a photo-op that's tough to beat, YOU too can be IN THE PARADE!! That's right, come to the registration booth located in the parking lot of the Furano Furatto between 15:00 and 17:00, and get your belly painted up, put your parade costume on, learn the special dance, and then it's show time!! Cost is 2,000 yen and limited to the first 100 people each day.
*Note: The Furano Tourism Office at Furano Station will be open until 20:00 both evenings. Baggage storage will be available both days until 20:00 for 500 yen per piece.