National Ainu Museum and Park

The Ainu are the indigenous peoples in the northern part of the Japanese archipelago, especially in the areas of Hokkaido, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. Beginning with the Ainu language, their religious views hold that souls reside in everything in the natural world and these have led to the development of a unique culture as witnessed in their festivals and home activities, old traditional dances, unique embroidery patterns, and crafts such as woodcarving.

”Upopoy,” which was born as a base for Ainu culture, is a national Ainu museum, a national symbiosis park, and a memorial facility with spacious lawns offering comfortable places to relax.

You can experience firsthand their traditional lifestyle in a recreated Ainu village (called a Kotan), enjoy traditional dances and mukkuri (mouth harp) performances in the hands-on exchange hall, and eat traditional food in the hands-on learning hall, and actually try your hand at traditional instruments. Here you will find many ways to actually experience Ainu culture through a variety of programs.

*Open hours vary depending on the season and the day of the week.
*Please check the website for schedules and tickets.
*Part of the program contents may be changed or canceled due to COVID-19 measures.