Cultural Experience Programs

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

- Museum Program
Exhibits(Nov.1ｰMar.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”(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- National Ainu Museum
In this film, animals closely associated with Ainu culture look back on the time when humans first settled the Japanese archipelago and explain the history and culture of the Ainu people. It's easy to understand for children and adults alike.
- Museum Program
Theater Programs “Ainu Crafts Gain Worldwide Attention”(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- National Ainu Museum
Today, museums in Europe and the United States house some 10,000 Ainu artifacts. This film features Ainu collections displayed at museums in Russia, Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom, and highlights present-day relations between Ainu and researchers in various countries.
- Performing Arts
Traditional Performing Arts "Sinot" (Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
This program carries on the songs and dances as taught directly by those who can pass on these traditions. Distinct traditional performing arts that have taken root in each region will be presented against the backdrop of Hokkaido's beautiful natural landscape.
- Performing Arts
Traditional Performing Arts "Imeru" (Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Discover the fascinating audio and visual traces of traditional performing arts preserved in various parts of the world. Imeru (lightening) is a performance that presents traditional performing arts, which were buried in history.
- Video
Room of Fables – Folktales of the Ainu
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Watch a screening of three animated tales about the Ainu of the Shiraoi region, created to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Shiraoi Town Organization.
The screening will also feature a special message from Mari Natsuki, who provided the narration.
Animations: ① The Golden Voice and The Silver Voice ② The Fox’s Caranke ③ Mt. Funbe
- Video
Screening of Short Films "kamuy yukar(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy dynamic animations (films) based on Ainu legends.
1. The Boy Who Brought Down a Kamuy
2. The Solar Deity Caught by Evil Fox
- Performing Arts
Additional fee
Musical Workshop "Mukkuri for Beginners"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Crafts Studio
Learn how to hold and play mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, and change the sound in three ways.
- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop "Tonkori for Beginners"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Crafts Studio
Discover the sound of the tonkori zither and learn the basics of how to play. Even first-timers can try their hand at playing a melody.
- Cuisine
Additional fee
Cooking Workshop "Poroto Kitchen" 《reservation required》(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
Cook and eat an Ainu dish made with seasonal ingredients. With friendly staff on hand, even kitchen novices and children can get in on the fun.
- Cuisine
Additional fee
Ohaw Tasting Workshop《reservation required》(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
Try the traditional Ainu dish, ohaw. This soup, made by stewing local ingredients, has been a staple of the Ainu diet. As you explore Ainu cuisine, you’ll also learn to express your gratitude with the Ainu word hinna, meaning ‘thank you for the meal.’
- Cuisine
Cooking Workshop (Snack) "Ponto Kitchen"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
Learn more about Ainu food culture and daily life through this short cooking workshop.
- Video
Screen Experience “kamuy eyes”(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
- -Annex
See the world from the perspectives of the animals that Ainu people view as kamuy eyes (spirit-deities), through powerful images using virtual reality goggles.
- Video
Port of Words “itak tomari” (11/15ｰ3/31)
- Workshop
- -Annex3
itak (language) and tomari (port) come together to make itak tomari—Language Harbor.
Listen, envision and speak part of the language that is rooted in Ainu culture through installation art.*
*A style and method of expression of contemporary art where an entire place or space is experienced as an artwork
- Crafts
Watch Ainu Crafts(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Crafts Studio
See demonstrations and exhibitions of all kinds of traditional Ainu crafts. The craftspeople will tell you about their crafts while they work.
- Crafts
有料あり
Embroidery Workshop "ikarkar=an ro"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Crafts Studio
Select from a range of items and try embroidering an Ainu pattern.
- Crafts
Additional fee
Woodcarving Workshop "inuye=an ro"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Crafts Studio
Carve an Ainu pattern into your very own wooden smartphone stand or coaster.
- Life
Try on clothing "amip"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Anyone from adults to children can try on some of the approximately 20 pieces of Ainu clothing at the kotan (traditional Ainu village).
- Life
Cultural Program "upaskuma"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Step into the traditional living space of a cise (Ainu house) and learn about life in a kotan (traditional Ainu village) and the performing arts passed down from generation to generation.
- Performing Arts
Oral Literature Performance "newsar=an ro"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Experience the fascinating world of Ainu oral literature as you gather around the hearth to enjoy tales and lyrical songs from the everyday lives of Ainu people in the past.
- Performing Arts
Performing Arts Workshop “upopo a=ki ro” (11/1-3/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Upopoy means "singing together in a large group." Let’s sing upopo, traditional Ainu songs, together.
- Children's Program
Family Program "Pon Theater"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Discover the relationship between the Ainu and the kamuy (spirit-deities) and learn about Ainu lives past and present through a paper theater show.
- Language
Ainu Language Program "pirka! BINGO a=ki ro"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Learn some of the basics of Ainu language through this bingo game unique to Upopoy. The winners get a special gift.
- Language
Ainu Language Program "aynuitak ari a=ye ro"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Learn everyday phrases in Ainu. You’ll even receive a free gift!
- Life
Archery Experience "aksinot"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
- -Annex
Try a traditional Ainu game that uses a bow and arrow. These arrows are blunt, so they’re a fun and safe way for people of all ages to learn archery.