The Lupin III Festival takes place all year round in Hamanaka!
This article has been generously translated into English by Manon Lerebourg, and was originally written in the French language by friend of the website, Marie Baptista (who goes by the online username jenck).
The original French language version of this article can be read over at the journaldujapon website, or by clicking here. A wholehearted thanks to both Marie and Manon for all of their efforts in bringing this fantastic piece to the English-speaking audience!
Since 2012, the festival dedicated to Monkey Punch’s iconic work has been held in the mangaka’s native town. It usually takes place in September, in the South of Hokkaidô. It allows the residents of Hamanaka to welcome the fans of Lupin III. And once the festival is over, the grandson of the famous French gentleman thief continues to accompany the residents in their daily lives! Our team met with the locals who work hard throughout the year to promote this charming little town and examined all the other appealing aspects of the place.
Thank you Mayu for the pictures taken before the festival.
An orchestra present at the 2017 edition of the Lupin III festival, with the hero’s theme played at the beginning of the show. The other pieces are ‘Samba Temperado’, ‘Love Squall’ and Inspector Zenigata’s theme, before concluding with the Lupin III main theme again. @ Dario Calabria
An introduction to Monkey Punch’s universe
Lupin The Third – or Lupin III – was born under Kazuhiko Katô’s quill in 1967. Published for the first time in the Weekly Manga Action, his adventures were then assembled in fourteen volumes, but would soon continue in an audiovisual format. If the first show aired in 1971, while the first movie (The Mystery of Mamo) was released in 1978, the sixth season aired in 2021, and the latest movie (The Immortal Bloodline) has recently had its theatrical release, in 2026! And let’s not forget about the countless TV movies and crossovers that made him meet Conan Edogawa from Cast Closed, or the Cat’s Eye sisters.
But who exactly is Arsène Lupin’s rightful heir? An adventurer travelling the world to steal treasures by solving riddles in hidden ruins or breaking into high-tech security systems. He is famous for being extraordinarily smart and a master of disguise, but these are not his only assets! To help him on his journeys, he can count on his three companions. Daisuke Jigen, his most frequent partner, is a renowned marksman, wielding his faithful revolver – or any other type of gun – skilfully. Goemon Ishikawa (XIII) is a samurai able to slice through anything with his precious katana, Zantetsuken. Mine Fujiko, a cunning manipulator using her beauty charms, sometimes joins them in their adventures to either help or betray Lupin III at her will. But Inspector Koichi Zenigata, a prideful Interpol agent, relentlessly chases after the wicked thief, without ever succeeding to catch him for long enough.
The quintet can be found in every new adventure, which are (almost) never linked to one another. Attentive fans will notice some callbacks to previous stories, but each series or movie is mostly meant to be watched independently. Therefore, the characters never get developed, staying true to their convictions and allowing new viewers to quickly immerse themselves in their travels. It is good to know that, with every new iteration, the main character and general atmosphere differ. Though Lupin III was originally written as a lewd and brutal antihero, some directors will remain as close as possible to his origins, while others will give him softer, more chivalrous traits. This flexible character is thus endlessly redefined and difficult to comprehend, reinforcing his and his allies’ intentions, which often remain mysterious.
From left to right: Kiritan the local mascot, Mr. Fujiwara, Kiyotaka Saitou ,and Mayu Sonehara.
Meeting with the tourism team
Our team was able to meet with Masaki Fujiwara, the Head of the tourism division and of the Hamanaka city hall’s trade, and Mayu Sonehara, a Hamanaka promoter, about the residents’ relationship with the treacherous character and about the last edition of the festival in his honour. The local mayor, Kiyotaka Saito, also contributed. You can find the complete program here.
Hello, thank you for agreeing to this interview. To begin, Mr. Fujiwara, what was Monkey Punch’s relationship with Hamanaka Town? (visits, promotions, events...)
Mr. Fujiwara - Monkey Punch, a native of Hamanaka Town, had a strong attachment to his hometown and was searching for a way to give back. He even went so far as to draw illustrations on signs for dairy facilities in the town. After many discussions between Monkey Punch and the then chairman of the Chamber of Commerce about revitalizing his hometown, the “Lupin the Third Hamanaka Treasure Island Project” was launched, and the “Lupin the Third Festival” was held as part of that project. Those involved in the project have developed an attachment to Hamanaka Town through the Lupin III Festival, and some even visit the town.
What type of audience is particularly receptive to the world of Monkey Punch?
Mr. Fujiwara - People currently in their late 40s and older (those in their late 30s and older when the project was launched) are the generation that was exposed to evening anime reruns on local TV stations, so they were more likely to accept the project. The younger generation was approached through lectures by the professor and manga classes held in Hamanaka Town. Currently, PR materials using characters are widely recognized, but there are few opportunities to experience the work, and it seems that it is supported by a loyal fan base. (The anime itself has shifted to late-nighttime slots and is distributed on specific media such as Netflix).
How did you go about creating the Monkey Punch museum?
Mr. Fujiwara - Initially, the town approached the teacher’s family about building a memorial museum, but the family responded by saying, “None of the memorial museums in town have successors, are difficult to maintain, and are closing one after another. We don’t want to cause trouble for Hamanaka Town.” Monkey Punch himself thought it would be a waste to build a memorial museum using the town’s money, so they started by exhibiting their works in an existing facility. After much coordination, the museum was relocated and renovated to its current location. The family also donated some of the teacher’s favourite items, and, in keeping with the teacher’s wishes, the museum opened as a “free admission” facility, where anyone can experience the teacher’s worldview.
Festival Information
Tourist Information
Where can Lupin III fans admire spots and buy goodies dedicated to their favourite characters?
Mr. Fujiwara - We receive many inquiries throughout the year, and some tourists come to the museum to see the streetlamp decorations after taking photos at Chanai Station. It seems like the number of tourists has increased relatively, but we have never conducted a survey of visitors solely for Lupin content.
Thank you Mayu for the pictures taken during the festival.
How did you promote the Lupin III festival?
Mr. Fujiwara - First, we held a talk show with the voice actors and Monkey Punch himself. In addition to the original author, Monkey Punch, there are other rights holders of Lupin the Third and with their cooperation, we were able to attract fans from all over the country. Every year, we hold numerous meetings to discuss the contents of the festival. I’ve heard that there were difficulties in realizing the plans initially, but in the process, we were able to build strong relationships of trust with the copyright holders, which made it easier to consider plans that would please the enthusiastic fans of the series.
The event was organized by a young team of public and private citizens in order to enliven the local area. Initially, it was an event for Lupin III fans to gather, and the sight of cosplayers in the town was a novelty, but now the locals themselves have come to see it as Lupin III fans!
How is this annual event organized?
Mr. Fujiwara - The management team is limited (young people leaving). It is not easy to secure staff. There are no annual programs. Every year, we carry out projects that can be done within the budget. *Exhibitions of wrapped trailers, etc. are held almost every year.
What feedback have you had from visitors?
Mr. Fujiwara - We have regular customers. Cosplayers in particular enjoy the event, which now feels like an annual class reunion. We receive a variety of opinions, but our operating budget is limited. We also receive feedback on issues such as inadequate transportation infrastructure.
If someone wants to help you with the organisation, can they?
Mr. Fujiwara - Volunteering on the day will be difficult, so please enjoy the event as a participant.
More information on how to attend can be found on the festival website.
Thank you Yuri for the pictures taken during the festival.
Hello, Mr. Mayor! How long have you been living in Hamanaka and since when do you have this role?
Kiyotaka Saitou - I was born in Hamanaka in 1968, I graduated from high school in 1987, and then I went to receive some professional training out of town, where I worked seven years. I joined the Hamanaka town council in 1995, and I became the mayor as of October 2023. I have been living here for 50 years.
What are your plans for Lupin and the town of Hamanaka?
Kiyotaka Saitou - In Hamanaka, beloved by the fans as “Lupin’s holy ground and Monkey Punch’s native town”, we want to keep on expanding our offer. We also hope to continue giving those who can’t physically attend the festival the opportunity to enjoy it.
Thank you Marugame for the pictures taken around town.
Hello Mayu. What were your impressions of your first participation in the festival?
Mayu Sonehara - This year, I joined the Lupin Festival for the first time. I’m not very familiar with Lupin - but since you can find so many Lupin goods here, and in the Monkey Punch Collection, I think even first-time visitors who like anime can enjoy it. The voice actors who appeared in the talk show are well-known all over Japan, so it was fun even without deep knowledge of Lupin. Of course, people who know Lupin well would enjoy it even more. I especially enjoyed the food! There were many kinds of food trucks and stalls, and it was a great experience to taste different dishes.
What motivated you to move to this city so recently? What do you like about Hamanaka?
Mayu Sonehara - I first learned about Hamanaka about eight years ago when a friend introduced it to me. Since then, I grew fond of the town, and after visiting several times as a tourist, I eventually decided to move here. As for Lupin III and Monkey Punch, I already knew about them, but I wasn’t very familiar with the details.
I like Hamanaka because it is rich in nature, and you can enjoy the sky, the sea, and the wetlands. You can really feel the vast land here. For those who visit the town with the purpose of Lupin III, I also hope they take the opportunity to experience the nature — such as walking in the wetlands or going canoeing — and fully enjoy what Hamanaka has to offer.
Who is your Monkey Punch’s favourite character and what do you like about them?
Mayu Sonehara - I like Fujiko Mine. I think she is beautiful and has a great style. I first learned about Lupin III through The Castle of Cagliostro. I haven’t actually watched the film, but it is very famous in Japan and often featured on various TV programs, so I naturally came to know about it since childhood. I don’t personally promote Lupin III, but I’m gradually studying it so that I can talk about Lupin when people visit Hamanaka.
Picture of @kurikan0303 in the green jacket. Kanichi Kurita is the voice actor for Lupin III since 1995. The person on his right, Koichi Yamadera, has been the voice actor for Inspector Zenigata since 2012. The person wearing a hat, Akio Ôtsuko, is the voice actor for Daisuke Jigen since 2021. All three of them were present during the festival to give a conference about the new movie ‘Lupin III, The Immortal Bloodline’. (X – Instagram – YouTube).
Thank you Marugame for the pictures taken during the festival.
What local sites and specialties do you recommend to visitors?
Mayu Sonehara - I definitely recommend visiting the Kiritappu Wetland. The Biwa-se Observatory and the Biwa-se Boardwalk are perfect spots to enjoy the wetlands.
At the Kiritappu Wetland Centre, you can also find many souvenirs, and there is a café as well. Hamanaka is also famous for dairy farming and is known as a production area for the fresh milk used in Häagen-Dazs in Japan. One of my top recommendations is the Yon-Zero Soft ice cream, which you can buy at the local supermarket Coop Hamanaka. It has a rich yet refreshing taste that is addictive — it’s very delicious and famous nationwide. I think Lupin III has definitely helped raise the profile of the town. I often see it featured in various kinds of media.
How can tourists visit Hamanaka?
Mayu Sonehara - The most convenient airport is Kushiro Airport, so as long as you can take a flight that arrives there, you can reach Hamanaka. Please note that Kushiro Airport does not have international flights. However, there are flights from New Chitose Airport and Haneda Airport, which do serve international routes, so visitors from abroad should first arrive at one of those airports.
From Kushiro Airport, there are mainly two ways to get to Hamanaka:
Rent a car at the airport. It takes about an hour and a half to reach Hamanaka from Kushiro Airport.
Use public transportation. Route: Airport → (Bus) → JR Kushiro Station → (Train) → JR Chanai Station. Public transportation is limited in frequency and takes about three hours one way. Also, to get around Hamanaka from JR Chanai Station, you will still need a car or bus.
What is the peak tourist season in Hamanaka? And what is your favourite season to visit?
Mayu Sonehara - The busiest season for tourists is summer (June to August). Hamanaka is relatively cool even in summer, making it comfortable to spend time here. Many beautiful flowers bloom in the wetlands, which attracts a lot of visitors. My favourite season is autumn (September to November). The weather is often clear, which makes me feel refreshed. In the wetlands, the grass turns brown, but when the sun shines on it, it glows golden and looks stunning. The scenery is especially beautiful in the evenings.
Thank you Mayu for the pictures taken during the festival.
Hamanaka during the rest of the year
Hamanaka’s calendar is filled with many more events throughout the year. Such as the cherry blossom festival (at the end of May), the Hamanaka Umaimon Delicious Market (at the beginning of July), the Kiritappu Cape festival (at the beginning of September), or the Kiritappu omikoshi (portable shrine) festival, also in September. Throughout the rest of the year, the Kiritappu wetland is the opportunity to learn about the local wildlife and vegetation through visits of the area, or the resources, exhibits and animations available in the information centre. If walking is not your thing, you have the option to go on kayaking excursions on the rivers in the wildlife parks, or horse rides along the sea. If you are into hiking, you should get to Kiritappu Cape to immortalise sea otters with your cameras. Find the details on the town’s tourism website.
Promotional video for the town of Hamanaka from 2019 @北海道浜中町.
Monkey Punch’s characters are not the only ones actively contributing to local tourism. You can also count on Kiritan, the local yuru-chara, an otter with a lily (ezokanzo lily) adorning his tail. He carries a seashell or a bottle of milk as a purse and sometimes wears a beanie (a deer, a crab or a cow). His mission is to promote local specialties (dairy and sea products) and host the promoting stalls of his beloved town. On the town’s official Instagram account and the one dedicated to local shops and activities, you can get information about multiple ways to enjoy your time: hike trails, guided tours, workshops…
Pictures of the signs by @Kiritappu Onsen Yuru. Picture of Kiritan and posters by @Hamanaka_kanko
The local onsen, the Kiritappu Onsen Yuyu, is not only a warm bath to help you unwind after your exhausting adventures! Their sea otter and Lupin III merchandise, as well as other content, are regularly being shared on the Instagram account. The onsen also has a restaurant and several games to receive families. And after your relaxing bath, what will you do?
Thank you Mel for the pictures taken in the Kiritappu Onsen Yuyu.
Near the onsen, the Monkey Punch Collection will allow you to learn more about Monkey Punch’s career and his infamous characters. You will be able to get your picture taken with a life-sized Lupin or Jigen (just like in the onsen). The descriptions will be exclusively in Japanese however, but you will still be able to enjoy the mangaka’s drawings.
Thank you Mel for the pictures taken in the Monkey Punch Collection museum.
The rest of Hamanaka is not any quieter, Lupin roaming around as if he owned the place! Will you be able to find all the manhole covers representing the quintet? Several local billboards and signs are occupied by the gang, and Inspector Zenigata is never really far. It is possible to rent a car in their effigy to easily travel between the different places mentioned previously.
The town of Hamanaka includes Lupin III in many aspects of the daily lives of the residents, to the point of letting him invade infrastructures all year round and appear on the town’s official website. This way, through this festival targeting longtime fans as well as curious people willing to discover Monkey Punch’s universe, the local players’ objective is to make Lupin the one to promote the other regional charms. As evidenced with exclusive uniforms made for manual labour or excursions in nature, and the burglar appearing on local products packaging as well as information signs. With Monkey Punch’s support in initiating the development project through his iconic characters, the local players are hoping that many new tourists will continue to discover their charming town and the beauty of the surrounding natural areas. Hopefully, they will not only stop for the tourist sites dedicated to Lupin’s crew, but that they will serve as an introduction to unforgettable visits!
Our team would like to thank once again Mel, Mayu, Marugame, Yuri, Mr. Fujiwara, and the Mayor for contributing to this article and their investment in promoting Hamanaka. I want to thank Clément Dupuis for his valuable contribution in our exchanges with Mayu and for translating the poster.
Thank you Mel for the pictures taken in the streets of Hamanaka.
BONUS: The Lupin III festivals make the cover of the end of the year issues of the local monthly journal several times! If you would like to read the issues mentioning the previous editions, you can click on the following links to be taken to that years edition: October 2012, October 2013, September 2014, September 2015, September 2016, October 2017, October 2019, September 2020, December 2022, October 2024, and last but not least, November 2025.
If you are looking for more video content, we recommend you look up the official Hamanaka YouTube channel and the Hamanaka-Ouen channel (please be aware the latter is entirely in Japanese).
Are you looking for more discussions about the close bond between Hamanaka and the universe of Lupin III? You can find them in four parts in the articles from December 2021 from the Japanese media Stereo Sound Online: a first presentation of the collections, a visit of the museum, the details of the Lupin III urban development project, and finally, a visit of the town.
The passers-by can never stay indifferent to the theme of the anime, including a young child admitting to recognising it. @よみぃ
Hungry for more Hamanaka? Why not check out our sister article to this, written by friend of the website, Tsushi Tanuki! Your trip to Hamanaka Town: A guide to visiting the birthplace of Monkey Punch includes a visitor diary of Hamanaka outside of the Lupin III Festival, and contains many photos of the area, as well as details on exactly how to get to and around the location. Check it out by clicking the banner below! You can also read a French language version by clicking here.
