The Ainu, indigenous peoples in Hokkaido
The Ainu, an indigenous peoples of Hokkaido, have long lived in harmony with nature and their own rich cultural heritage. There are various places around Hokkaido where you can be introduced to the life, history, and culture of the Ainu people.
Lake Akan-ko Ainu Kotan(Akancho)
This is a village where 36 households of 200 Ainu people live. There is an Ainu Memorial Museum and Forest & Lake Museum of Fine Arts, and they offer a program for the creation of traditional musical instruments, training sessions on ancient dancing, wood carving and embroidery workshops. This is also the event venue for The Yukar and Iomante Fire Festival.
Nibutani Ainu Cultural Museum (Biratori)
The museum has a collection of more than 10,000 items including clothes, recreational items and hunting equipment, as well as a wide range of experience programs. You can watch videos of yukar and Ainu ancient dancing. In Nibutani, there is another museum called the Nibutani Ainu Archive, where materials collected by Shigeru Sugeno are displayed.
Sapporo Pirka Kotan (Sapporo)
Ainu houses ("chise") and storehouses are dotted throughout the site, and you can actually go inside these buildings. You can also touch the interesting articles on display.
Hokkaido Museum (Sapporo)
The exhibitions in this museum provide an opportunity to learn about the history of Hokkaido, including the Ainu culture. You will also learn about the relationship between Hokkaido and the Ainu. The museum is located in the beautiful Nopporo Forest Park.
Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park(Shiraoi)
Upopoy is the foremost place in Japan to learn about the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. Located in Shiraoi City in Hokkaido, not far from Noboribetsu, the park consists of the National Ainu Museum and several other facilities to learn about and experience Ainu culture. It stands next to Lake Poroto.
Lake Akan-ko Ainu Kotan(Akancho)
This is a village where 36 households of 200 Ainu people live. There is an Ainu Memorial Museum and Forest & Lake Museum of Fine Arts, and they offer a program for the creation of traditional musical instruments, training sessions on ancient dancing, wood carving and embroidery workshops. This is also the event venue for The Yukar and Iomante Fire Festival.
Nibutani Ainu Cultural Museum (Biratori)
The museum has a collection of more than 10,000 items including clothes, recreational items and hunting equipment, as well as a wide range of experience programs. You can watch videos of yukar and Ainu ancient dancing. In Nibutani, there is another museum called the Nibutani Ainu Archive, where materials collected by Shigeru Sugeno are displayed.
Sapporo Pirka Kotan (Sapporo)
Ainu houses ("chise") and storehouses are dotted throughout the site, and you can actually go inside these buildings. You can also touch the interesting articles on display.
Hokkaido Museum (Sapporo)
The exhibitions in this museum provide an opportunity to learn about the history of Hokkaido, including the Ainu culture. You will also learn about the relationship between Hokkaido and the Ainu. The museum is located in the beautiful Nopporo Forest Park.
Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park(Shiraoi)
Upopoy is the foremost place in Japan to learn about the Ainu, the indigenous people of northern Japan. Located in Shiraoi City in Hokkaido, not far from Noboribetsu, the park consists of the National Ainu Museum and several other facilities to learn about and experience Ainu culture. It stands next to Lake Poroto.
