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FURANO, Hokkaido — A man with a huge abdomen has proved a popular performer at the annual “Belly Button Festival” here, where participants with funny faces painted on their stomachs dance to the joy of the crowd.
During the July 28 and 29 festival, Takayuki Oikawa, 40, was the star attraction in the “belly button dance,” as he swung his belly, painted with a large, powerful face. Due to his gigantic gut, he stands out among the dancers and many spectators ask if they can take a photo with him.
The annual event started back in 1969 to celebrate Furano’s status as the approximate geographic center — or the belly button — of Hokkaido. The festival has recently attracted tourists from many places throughout the country as well as from foreign countries.
Oikawa has participated in the event for 15 years since he was invited to join in the fun by an acquaintance, who said to him, “With your big belly, you can be the star of the show!”
Although he was shy dancing at first, Oikawa has since become more relaxed. “My painted belly is now a kind of business card for me,” he said. Oikawa is now totally dedicated to the festival. He was relocated from Furano to the town of Haboro, some 125 kilometers northeast, for work, so he now uses his vacation time to take part in the event.
Oikawa explained that performers must be strong to swing their bellies to amuse spectators and that he usually suffers from pain in his legs and lower back after the festival. While he hopes to lose weight for health reasons, his huge belly is the secret to his success at the festival.
“I hope more people will learn about the festival and come to see my belly next year,” said Oikawa.
(Japanese original by Kan Takeuchi, Hokkaido Photo Group)
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