Cultural Experience Programs

Some activities may be altered or canceled due to the weather, season or other unavoidable circumstances.

- Museum Program
Exhibits (4/1-10/31)
- National Ainu Museum
The exhibits in the permanent exhibition room explore six core themes from Ainu perspectives: Language, Universe, Lives, History, Work, and Exchange. The special exhibition room hosts exhibitions covering a wide range of topics, including Ainu culture and the culture of other indigenous peoples.
- Museum Program
Theater Programs “Ainu History and Culture” (4/1-10/31)
- National Ainu Museum
A short film exploring Ainu history and culture, from the first human settlement on the Japanese archipelago to the present day.
- Museum Program
Theater Programs “Ainu Crafts Gain Worldwide Attention” (4/1-10/31)
- National Ainu Museum
A short film featuring Ainu-related materials at museums in Europe and the United States and exploring the work of researchers in various countries.
- Performing Arts
Sinot (4/1ｰ10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Performances of songs and dances with roots in different regions, against a backdrop of Hokkaido's magnificent natural landscapes.
- Performing Arts
Imeru (4/1ｰ10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Performances of new songs and dances bringing arts once buried in history to life.
- Video
kamuy yukar (4/1-10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Two animated short films based on Ainu legends: The Boy Who Brought Down a Kamuy and The Solar Deity Caught by Evil Fox.
- Performing Arts
Charge applies
Mukkuri for Beginners(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Crafts Studio
Learn how to hold and play the mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, and create various sounds.
- Performing Arts
Tonkori for Beginners(4/11ｰ10/31)
- Crafts Studio
Learn how to play the tonkori zither, then put your skills to the test.
- Cuisine
Charge applies
Tasting Workshop “ipe=an ro!”(4/1ｰ10/31)
- Workshop
Experience the traditional Ainu dish, ohaw.
This soup is crafted with a generous selection of seasonal ingredients, unique to each region.
Enjoy the rich taste of ohaw, enhancing the flavors of each ingredient, from meat to fish, kombu, and both farmed and wild vegetables. You’ll also learn to express your gratitude with the Ainu word hinna, meaning “thank you for the meal.”
- Cuisine
Ponto Kitchen (4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
Get an introduction to Ainu dishes in a cooking and tasting workshop suitable for beginners.
*Dishes may vary depending on the season.
- Video
kamuy eyes(4/11ｰ10/31)
- Workshop
- -Annex
An immersive video experience delivered through special virtual reality goggles.
- Video
itak tomari(4/1ｰ10/31)
- Workshop
- -Annex3
Listen to, see, envision and speak part of the Ainu language through installation art.
- Crafts
Some Charges Apply
ikarkar=an ro(4/1ｰ10/31)
- Crafts Studio
Try embroidering an Ainu pattern.
- Crafts
Charge applies
inuye=an ro (4/1-10/31)
- Crafts Studio
Try carving an Ainu pattern.
- Life
amip(4/1ｰ10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Try on some pieces of Ainu clothing at the kotan. Adult and child sizes are available.
- Life
upaskuma (4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Poro cise (Big House)
Learn about life in a kotan and experience traditional songs and dances. Each session features a different theme, including houses, boats, hunting equipment, and place names.
- Performing Arts
newsar=an ro (4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Poro cise (Big House)
Experience Ainu oral literature through tales and lyrical songs passed down through the generations.
- Performing Arts
upopo a=ki ro (4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
Try singing upopo, traditional Ainu songs unique to each region.
- Children's Program
Pon Theater (4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
Discover the relationship between the Ainu and the kamuy (spirit-deities) and enjoy learning about Ainu lives past and present through a paper theater show.
- Language
pirka! BINGO a=ki ro (4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
Play a bingo game using Ainu words for animals and traditional items.
- Language
aynuitak ari a=ye ro (4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
Learn everyday words in Ainu.
- Life
aksinot (4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
An archery experience with a simplified bow and arrow.