Cultural Experience Programs

Some activities may be temporarily discontinued or subject to alteration depending on the weather and season or as part of our efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

- Museum Program
Exhibits(4/1-10/31)
- National Ainu Museum
The exhibits in the permanent exhibition room explore six core themes from an Ainu perspective: 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
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”(4/1-10/31)
- 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(4/1-10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
"Sinot: Ainu Songs, Dancing and Stories"
Enjoy a range of traditional songs, dances and musical performances through a production that incorporates projection technology and footage of Hokkaido's beautiful landscapes.

"Inomi: Ainu Prayer, Songs and Dancing"
Enjoy a range of traditional songs and dances in a story-based performance centered on the traditional iyomante ritual. This program aims to connect the traditions of the past to the future.
- Video
Screening of Short Films “kamuy yukar”(4/1-10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy two short films based on Ainu legends, with dynamic projection that makes use of the floor too.①The Boy Who Brought Down a kamuy　②The Solar Deity Caught by Evil Fox
- Kiroroan: Upopoy at Night
Outdoors Projection & Mapping Show “kamuy symphonia”(4/29-10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
The creation myth told by the Ainu is brought to life in a dynamic projection mapping show. Enjoy a unique production that combines video, sound, shimmering objects and trees.
- Performing Arts
Musical Performance(4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
Two of the most iconic Ainu instruments are the mukkuri (a kind of mouth harp) and the tonkori zither. Hear a talk about these instruments, then listen to their beautiful melodies.
- Life
Cultural Program "upaskuma"(4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Poro cise (Big House)
Experience Ainu culture through upaskuma (passing down of wisdom) covering life in a kotan (traditional Ainu village) and songs and dances that have been passed down through the generations.
- Performing Arts
Mukkuri-making Workshop "mukkuri a=kar ro"(4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
Try carving a mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, with a chisel, then learn how to play it. *In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you cannot put the mukkuri to your mouth during the workshop.
- Crafts
Watch Ainu Crafts(4/1-10/31)
- Crafts Studio
See demonstrations and exhibitions of all kinds of traditional Ainu crafts. The craftspeople will tell you about their crafts while they work.
- Performing Arts
Oral Literature Performance "newsar=an ro"(4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Poro cise (Big House)
Gather around the hearth to enjoy tales and lyrical songs from the everyday lives of Ainu people in the past.
- Children's Program
Family 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
Ainu Language Program "pirka! BINGO a=ki ro"(4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
Discover some of the basics of Ainu language through a children’s bingo game unique to Upopoy. Everyone who participates receives a special gift!
- Language
Ainu Language Program "aynuitak ari a=yr ro"(4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
Learn everyday phrases in Ainu, along with the proper pronunciation. You'll even receive a free gift!
- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop "Mukkuri for Beginners"(4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Pon cise (Small House)
Discover the sound of the mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, and learn how to play it yourself. *In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you cannot put the mukkuri to your mouth during the workshop.
- Life
Plants in Ainu Life "cikuni oruspe"(4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Outdoor
Walk among the trees that surround the kotan (traditional Ainu village) as you find out about how Ainu people use plants in their clothing, food, housing and rituals, along with stories about the trees.
- Life
Plants in Ainu Life "Kotan Tree Tour"《reservation required》(4/1-10/31)
- Throughout Upopoy
Take a tour of the top plant-spotting areas in Upopoy and see ten types of plant in peak season. Listen to stories about these plants and discover how Ainu people use plants in their clothing, food, housing and rituals.
- Crafts
Embroidery Workshop "ikarkar=an ro"(4/1-10/31)
- Crafts Studio
Select from a range of items and try embroidering an Ainu pattern.
- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop "Tonkori for Beginners"(4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
Discover the sound of the tonkori zither and learn the basics of how to play.
- Life
Archery Experience "aksinot"(4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Outdoor
Aksinot is a simulation of hunting using a kind of bow and arrow. These arrows are blunt, so they’re a fun and safe way for people of all ages to learn archery.
- Life
Dugout Canoe Demonstration and Talk(May-September)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Beach Area
See how Ainu people row a cip (dugout canoe) and learn about the role these boats played in traditional Ainu life.
- Crafts
Woodcarving Workshop "inuye=an ro"(4/1-10/31)
- Crafts Studio
Carve an Ainu pattern into your very own wooden smartphone stand.
- Cuisine
Cooking Workshop "Poroto Kitchen"《reservation required》(4/1-10/31)
- 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
Cooking Workshop (Snack) "Ponto Kitchen"(4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
Learn more about Ainu food culture and daily life through this short cooking workshop.
- Video
Dome Screen Experience “kamuy eyes”(4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
- -Annex
The Ainu people have a close connection to animals and view them as kamuy (spirit-deities). See how kamuy view the world in a projection on a semicircular dome. With a panoramic view, you’ll feel as if you’re running wild amid Hokkaido’s abundant nature yourself.