Cultural Experience Programs
Important Announcements
Cultural Experience Program Search
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.
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- Museum Program
Exhibits
- 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.
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- Museum Program
Theater Program: Ainu History and Culture
- 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.
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- Museum Program
Theater Program: Ainu Crafts Gain Worldwide Attention
- 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.
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- Video
Screening of Short Films “kamuy yukar”
- 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
Traditional Performing Arts
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Sinot: Ainu Songs, Dancing and Stories
An introduction to a range of traditional songs, dances and musical performances. Discover the Ainu people's worldview and philosophy towards nature through a production that incorporates projection technology and footage of Hokkaido's beautiful landscapes.
Inomi: Ainu Prayer, Songs and Dancing
An introduction to a range of traditional songs and dances. Experience the worldview of the Ainu and their relationship with the kamuy (spirit-deities) through a story-based performance centered on the traditional iyomante ritual told through dancing and images. This program aims to connect the traditions of the past to the future. -
- Performing Arts
Musical Performance
- 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.
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- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop"Mukkuri for Beginners"
- Workshop
Discover the sound of the mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, and learn how to play it yourself. The mukkuri can be taken home after the workshop.
*In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the mukkuri cannot currently be played during the workshop. -
- Performing Arts
Mukkuri-making Workshop "mukkuri a=kar ro"
- Crafts Studio
Try carving a mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, with a chisel, then learn how to play it. The mukkuri can be taken home after the workshop. *In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the mukkuri cannot currently be played during the workshop.
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- Language
Children's Program "Pon Theater"
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Learn about the Ainu language, culture, daily life and legends from various areas through illustrations, skits and stories. This program will appeal to people of all ages.
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- Video
Dome Screen Experience “kamuy eyes”
- Workshop
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.
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- Life
Plants in Daily Life "Kotan Tree Tour"
- Field
Take in the nature in the park while listening to traditional stories and songs about the trees and learn about how the Ainu used different plants for clothing, cooking, housing and rituals.
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- Life
Welcome Program ""uwerankarap"
- Cikisani Square Stage
Enjoy a performance on an outdoor stage overlooking the beautiful Lake Poroto, featuring a welcome message spoken in the Ainu language, performing arts, and a talk about the best features at Upopoy.
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- Crafts
Watch Ainu Crafts
- Crafts Studio
This talk and video about okkay kar pe (men's crafts) and menoko kar pe (women's crafts) will show you how fascinating crafts can be.
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- Crafts
Woodcarving Workshop "inuye=an ro"
- Crafts Studio
Hear a talk about Ainu woodcarving and try making a wooden smartphone stand with an Ainu pattern. The stand can be taken home after the workshop.
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- Crafts
Embroidery Workshop "ikarkar=an ro"
- Crafts Studio
Hear a talk about Ainu embroidery and try embroidering a fabric coaster, a wrapping cloth bag or a wooden frame with an Ainu pattern. Embroidered items can be taken home after the workshop.
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- Performing Arts
Oral Literature Performance "newsar=an ro "
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Oral literature is an aspect of Ainu culture that has been passed down through the generations. Gather around the hearth inside a cise (house) to enjoy tales and lyrical songs from the everyday lives of Ainu people in the past.
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- Life
Explanation of the Ainu Culture and Way of Life: Stories of the Kotan
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
In this recreation of a traditional Ainu kotan (village), you’ll hear about the traditional cise (Ainu houses) in the Shiraoi area and other aspects of Ainu life, along with the Ainu people’s connection with kamuy (spirit-deities).
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- Life
Explanation of the Ainu Culture and Way of Life “Lessons from TureppoN”
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Upopoy's mascot, TureppoN, will teach you about Ainu culture and daily life, as well as the best places in Upopoy and how to get the most out of your visit.
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- Life
See Inside a Cise
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Take a look inside a cise (house), see demonstrations of occupational activities, and learn more about household traditions and the connection that people living in cise had with the kamuy (spirit-deities).
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- Kiroroan: Upopoy at Night
Outdoor Projection & Mapping Show “kamuy symphonia”
- 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.
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- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop "Tonkorii for Beginners"
- Workshop
Discover the sound of the tonkori, a stringed instrument, and learn the basics of how to play. Your instructor will tell you about the tonkori and teach you how to hold it properly.
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- Language
Ainu Language Program pirka! BINGO a=ki ro
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Discover some of the basics of Ainu language through a children’s bingo game unique to Upopoy. Everyone who participates receives a special gift!
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- Life
Spring-bow Demonstration and Talk
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
In the past, the Ainu people hunted with implements such as bows and traps. As you watch this demonstration, you’ll learn about the structure of the tools, where they are used and how the methods are adapted for each animal.
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- Life
Dugout Canoe Demonstration and Talk
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
See how Ainu people row a cip (dugout canoe) and learn about the role these boats played in traditional Ainu life.
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- Cuisine
Cooking Workshop "Poroto Kitchen"
- Workshop
Learn about Ainu life and culinary culture by preparing and eating delicious traditional dishes made with seasonal ingredients.
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- Cuisine
Cooking Workshop (Snack) "Ponto Kitchen"
- Workshop
In this program, you'll make and eat traditional snack,such as sito (dumplings). This is a great way to learn more about Ainu food culture and daily life.
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- Language
Ainu Language Program "aynuitak ari a=yr ro"
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Learn everyday phrases in Ainu, along with the proper pronunciation. You'll even receive a free gift!