(Japanese: 毬藻 marimo)
At Lake Akan a great effort is spent on the conservation of the lake balls. This includes an annual three day marimo festival in which the Ainu people, the indigenous people of Hokkaidō, play an important part.
Because of their appealing appearance the lake balls also serve as a medium for environmental education. They bear a certain likeness to the Earth in being green and round and in their need to rotate in order to receive light on all sides.
In Japan the marimo has been a protected species since as early as 1920, defined as a natural treasure. Small balls sold as souvenirs are hand rolled from free-floating filaments.
The marimo was given a status of protected species in Iceland in 2006.
It is said that taking good care of the plant will make one's wishes come true. Both Lake Mývatn and Lake Akan are protected, the former as a nature reserve, the latter as a national park.
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