Information
Jan. 17 (Sat.) released the webpage
UPOPOY CULTURE FEST
Feb. 7 (Sat.) – 14 (Sat.), 2026
Immerse yourself in Ainu culture and learn about indigenous peoples around the world.
With once-in-a-lifetime events and special guests,
this week is a celebration of indigenous culture and thought, full of experiences that will broaden your world.
Packed with all kinds of events and stage performances from around the world!
Feb. 7 (Sat.)
Warm Lights in the Winter Night
Shiraoi Sky Lantern Festival
Sky lanterns decorated with Ainu patterns are launched into the night sky. The ethereal beauty will take your breath away.
- Painting workshop: 4:15-5:00pm at yayhanokkar cise (Workshop)
- Launch: 5:20-5:35pm at teeta kane an kotan (Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village))
- Admission: 1,000 yen (including tax)
- Capacity: 110 people
- Admission format: Bookings must be made in advance through a special website by Shiraoi Town.
- Bookings must be made in advance through a special website by Shiraoi Town.
*20 drop-ins are allowed. Please come to yayhanokkar cise (Workshop) at 3:00-3:45pm
Organized by Shiraoi Town with support from Japan Sky Lantern Association (member no. JSA1 HOS853P).
Feb. 7 (Sat.) – 8 (Sun.)
Collective Stage Performance by Local Cultural Heritage Groups
traditional Ainu dance
Enjoy a collective stage performance by “Harutori Traditional Ainu Dance Kushiro Rimse Preservation Society” and “Shiranuka Ainu Culture Preservation Society”.
- Schedule:
Feb. 7 (Sat.): (1) 11:00-11:30am, (2) 2:00-2:30pm
Feb. 8 (Sun.): (1) 11:00-11:30am, (2) 12:00-12:30pm - Venue: uekari cise (Cultural Exchange Hall)
- Admission: free
- Capacity: 303 people
- Admission format: Arrive, Seat ticket required (available in front of Cultural Exchange Hall)
Feb. 10 (Tue.) – 14 (Sat.)
Special Screenings of Two Unforgettable Films
Screenings of Indigenous Films
- Venue: Workshop Annex 3
- Admission: free
- Capacity: 78 people
- Admission format: Arrive
『Sami Blood』
(2016, 108 minutes)
- Time: 10:00-11:50am
Collectively produced by Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian creators, this film tells the story of a young Sámi girl, an indigenous minority in Northern Europe.
- Winner of the Special Jury Prize and Award for Best Actress at the 2016 Tokyo International Film Festival.
- Winner of the Dragon Award for Best Nordic Film at the 2017 Göteborg Film Festival.
『towanoai』
(2021, 128 minutes)
- Time: 2:00-4:10pm
A screening of the 2021 stage show performed in Hokkaido by a troupe led by honored Upopoy ambassador Takashi Ukaji.
*On Feb. 11 (Wed., holiday), this film will be screened in the Cultural Exchange Hall.
Feb. 11 (Wed., holiday)
Screening of 『towanoai』 and Talk by Takashi Ukaji
- Time: Screening 2:00-4:10pm, talk 4:10-4:30pm
- Venue: uekari cise (Cultural Exchange Hall)
- Admission: free
- Capacity: 303 people
- Admission format: Arrive, Seat ticket required (available in front of Cultural Exchange Hall)
Feb. 7 (Sat.) – 8 (Sun.)
1st International Indigenous Museums Symposium “Indigenous × Museum” — Collaboration, Dialogue, and Reimagination
This inaugural “International Indigenous Museums Symposium” brings together directors of six Indigenous museums from places currently called the United States, Australia, Finland, and Japan to discuss the complex and sensitive relationship between Indigenous Peoples and museums.
Museum Presentations
- Schedule: February 7 (Sat), 2026 10:00am – 4:30pm
- Venue: uwenewsar tumpu (Conference Room, National Ainu Museum)
- Capacity: 150 people
- Bookings must be made in advance through National Ainu Museum website.
Symposium
- Schedule: February 8 (Sun), 2026 1:00pm – 4:30pm
- Venue: uekari cise (Cultural Exchange Hall)
- Capacity: 250 people
- Bookings must be made in advance through National Ainu Museum website.
Director, National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI)
Chief Executive Officer, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS)
Director, the Sámi Museum Siida
Feb. 11 (Wed., holiday)
Making Sounds
Try Playing the Tonkori!
Pick up a tonkori zither and try to make sounds. The experience includes an explanation and mini performances of this instrument.
- Time: 10:00am-4:00pm
*Mini performances will be held at 10:30-10:40am and 1:00-1:10pm. - Duration: 10 minutes
- Venue: ikar usi (Crafts Studio)
- Admission: free
- Capacity: 20 people
- Admission format: Arrive, enter, and leave at any time
Feb. 14 (Sat.)
Sounds of Our Souls Ringing Out Across Upopoy
UPOPOY Music Festival
- Time: 1:30-4:30pm
- Venue: uekari cise (Cultural Exchange Hall)
- Admission: free
- Capacity: 303 people
- Admission format: Arrive, Seat ticket required (available in front of Cultural Exchange Hall)
Performers
台玖線楽圏(Siva9 Band)
A band of indigenous Bunun and Paiwan people from Taiwan. Their music combines traditional chanting with elements of rock and country.
nincup
A unique live performance featuring guitar music and storytelling, incorporating Ainu songs and traditional dance.
The National Ainu Museum’s 9th Seasonal Exhibition
The NAM Collection Ikor-３–
- Period: Jan. 10 (Sat.) – Feb. 23 (Mon., holiday)
- Venue: an=ukokor aynu ikor oma kenru (National Ainu Museum)
- Admission: free
- Admission format: Arrive
This exhibition shares how Ainu resources are collected, preserved, and repaired to pass them on to future generations.
*iye-erep is Ainu for “third.”
Feb. 7 (Sat.), 8 (Sun.), 11 (Wed., holiday)
See Upopoy from the Frozen Lake
Upopoy is located next to Lake Poroto, which freezes over in winter, creating the ideal conditions for leisure activities like smelt fishing. Enjoy the view of Upopoy from the frozen lake as you experience a winter-only program that shows a new side of Ainu culture.
- Time: (1) 10:45-11:25am, (2) 1:45-2:25pm
- Venue: Lake Poroto
- Admission: free
- Capacity: 20 people
- Admission format: Bookings must be made in advance through Webket
*Please be aware that strollers and wheelchairs cannot be used on the ice. This event is not safe for persons who cannot walk steadily without assistance, as participants will be walking on ice.
*This event may be canceled due to inclement weather or unsuitable ice conditions.
