Cultural Experience Programs

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

- Museum Program
Exhibits
- National Ainu Museum
The permanent exhibition introduces the Ainu language, history and culture from the perspectives of the Ainu.
In addition, special and thematic exhibitions are organized several times throughout the year.
- Museum Program
Theater Programs “Ainu History and Culture”
- 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”
- 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.
- Museum Program
Theater Programs “Everyday Ainu (Fudangi no Ainu)”
- National Ainu Museum
Directed by Oki Kano, an active Tonkori player, this documentary presents 'Fudangi no Ainu' living in the today's world, thoughtfully exploring the life purpose of each featured individual.
- Performing Arts
Sinot
- 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
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Performances of new songs and dances bringing arts once buried in history to life.
- video
kamuy yukar
- 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.
- Musical Workshop
Charge applies
Mukkuri for Beginners
- Crafts Studio
Learn how to hold and play the mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, and create various sounds.
- Musical Workshop
Tonkori for Beginners
- Crafts Studio
Learn how to play the tonkori zither, then put your skills to the test.
- Life
Charge applies
Tasting Workshop “ipe=an ro!”
- 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.”
- Cooking Workshop
Ponto Kitchen
- 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
- Workshop
- -Annex
Virtual Reality (VR) experience viewed with a dedicated headset.
- Ainu Language Workshop
"itak tomari"
- Workshop
Listen to, see, envision and speak part of the Ainu language through installation art.
- Crafts Workshop
Some Charges Apply
ikarkar=an ro
- Crafts Studio
Try embroidering an Ainu pattern.
- Crafts Workshop
Charge applies
inuye=an ro
- Crafts Studio
Try carving an Ainu pattern.
- Ainu Clothing Experience
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
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
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.
- Life
newsar=an ro
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Experience Ainu oral literature through tales and lyrical songs passed down through the generations.
- Performing Arts Workshop
upopo a=ki ro
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Try singing upopo, traditional Ainu songs unique to each region.
- Life
Pon Theater
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
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.
- Ainu Language Workshop
pirka! BINGO a=ki ro
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Play a bingo game using Ainu words for animals and traditional items.
- Ainu Language Workshop
aynuitak ari a=ye ro
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Learn everyday words in Ainu.
- Archery Experience
Some Charges Apply
aksinot
- Workshop
free : An archery experience with a simplified bow and arrow.
Charges apply : A hunting-inspired workshop using a real bow and arrow. ※Friday and Saturday only