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(Nov.1ｰMar.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”(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: Ainu Songs, Dancing and Stories"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy a range of traditional songs, dances and musical performances through a production that incorporates projection technology and footage of Hokkaido's beautiful landscapes.
- Video
Screening of Short Films “kamuy yukar”(Nov.1ｰMar.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
- Performing Arts
Musical Performance(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
Enjoy the beautiful sounds of the mukkuri (a kind of mouth harp) and tonkori zither.
- Performing Arts
Mukkuri-making Workshop "mukkuri a=kar ro"(Nov.1ｰMar.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.
- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop "Tonkori for Beginners"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
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
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
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
Dome Screen Experience “kamuy eyes”(Nov.1ｰMar.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.
- 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
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
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
Cultural Program "upaskuma"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Poro cise (Big House)
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)
- -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"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
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)
- -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=ye ro"(Nov.1ｰMar.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"(Nov.1ｰMar.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"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Pon cise (Small House)
Learn Ainu stories about plants and how they are used in their clothing, food, housing, and rituals. When the weather and other conditions are good, you might be able to look at the trees outside, and during the snow season you can see a kuca (hunting hut).
- Life
Archery Experience "aksinot"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Outdoor
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.