A Hamatonbetsu summer festival to search for gold dust in a clear stream and discover forest activities
Usotan Gold Panning Park Summer Festival
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Usually held on Mountain Day / Every year
- Location
- Usotannai Gold Mining Park
- Area
- Hokkaido・Hamatonbetsu Town(From Tokyo: approx. 1 h 30 min–2 h · flight time only)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Last updated
- 2026/11/11
This summer festival takes place by a clear stream in Hamatonbetsu, where you can search for gold dust using a yuri-ita and a katcha. Activities that bring you closer to the forest and nature, such as tree climbing and woodworking classes, are also featured.
About Usotan Gold Panning Park Summer Festival
The Usotan Gold Panning Park Summer Festival is a summer event held at the Usotannai Gold Mining Park in Hamatonbetsu, known as the “town of gold dust.”
Against the backdrop of a clear stream surrounded by lush forest, you can try panning for gold using traditional methods.
The program also includes activities to enjoy nature, shops, and events for the whole family.
Festival highlights
A highlight is searching for gold dust on the riverbed using traditional tools called a yuri-ita and a katcha.
Feel the cold current as you rock the yuri-ita, looking for a golden glint on the board.
Other activities include tree climbing, woodworking, a shiitake mushroom log experience, and the block-stacking contest “Tsumu-Lympics.”
A Hamatonbetsu summer festival to search for gold dust in a clear stream and discover forest activities
What to expect
The main activity is searching for gold dust with a yuri-ita and a katcha.
The venue offers tree-climbing activities, woodworking classes, and a shiitake mushroom log experience, as well as stalls featuring local food.
There is also “Tsumu-Lympics,” a contest to stack blocks, combining gold panning and nature activities with a competition.
Location and access
- Venue and address
Usotannai Gold Mining Park / Usotan, Hamatonbetsu, Esashi District, Hokkaido
- By car
About 15 minutes from Hamatonbetsu Bus Terminal
- Parking
30 spaces, free
Address Usotan, Hamatonbetsu, Esashi District, Hokkaido
Dates and season
- Season
Usually held on Mountain Day
- Frequency
Every year
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Hokkaido / Hamatonbetsu Town (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Nearby attractions
Nearby attractions listed include Lake Kutcharo, the Esanuka Line, and Utanobori Onsen.
Nearby roadside stations include Roadside Station Kita-Okhotsk Hamatonbetsu and Roadside Station Sarufutsu Park.
Official information
The Hamatonbetsu Town tourism page is listed as the official website.
For inquiries, contact the Commerce and Tourism Section, Industrial Promotion Division, Hamatonbetsu Town (01634-2-2346).
Usotan Gold Panning Park Summer Festival at a Glance
The Usotan Gold Panning Park Summer Festival is a summer event centered on panning for gold with traditional tools in a clear stream in Hamatonbetsu.
The program also includes tree climbing, woodworking classes, a shiitake mushroom log experience, Tsumu-Lympics, and stalls selling local food.
Enjoy gold panning, Okhotsk’s natural surroundings, crafts, and competitions all together.
Sources and references
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/11/11
