Cultural Experience Programs
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Cultural Experience Program Search
Cultural Experience Programs（11/1-）
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 permanent exhibition features six major themes from the Ainu point of view: "Our language", "Our universe", "Our life", "Our history", "Our work", and "Our
exchanges". -
- Museum Program
Ainu History and Culture
- National Ainu Museum
In this film, animals closely associated with Ainu culture—Blakiston’s fish owls, Steller’s sea eagles and tufted puffins—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
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
Indoor Films: kamuy yukar
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy two short films based on Ainu legends, with dynamic projection that makes use of the floor too.
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- 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
Find out about the worldview of the Ainu and their relationship with the kamuy (spirit-deities) through a story centered on the traditional iyomante ritual told through dancing and images. This creative 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. After hearing about the history and structure of these instruments, you’ll hear their beautiful melodies in a performance by Upopoy staff.
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- Performing Arts
Mukkuri-playing Workshop
- 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.
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- Performing Arts
Mukkuri-making Workshop
- Workshop
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
Miniature Paper Puppet Theater: Pon Theater
- Workshop
This original paper puppet show is an enjoyable way to learn the Ainu language. Traditional Ainu stories and Ainu versions of familiar fairy tales will be read aloud as the scenes are played out by puppets.
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- Video
Dome Screen Experience: kamuy eyes
- Workshop
The Ainu people have a close connection to animals and view them as spirit-deities (kamuy). See how kamuy view the world in a projection on a semicircular dome. With a 180-degree view vertically and horizontally, you’ll feel as if you’re running wild amid Hokkaido’s abundant nature yourself.
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- Life
Tree Tour
- Field
Take in the nature in the park while listening to traditional stories and songs and learn about how the Ainu used different plants for clothing, cooking, housing and rituals. *Wear suitable clothing for a nature walk.
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- Crafts
Traditional Craft Demonstrations (Woodcarving)
- Crafts Studio
Wood carving is traditionally done by Ainu men, and is known as okkay kar pe in the Ainu language. Techniques include carving, cutting, shaving, hollowing and bending. This demonstration includes a talk and a video showing the beauty of this craft.
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- Crafts
Traditional Craft Demonstrations (Weaving/Embroidery/Knitting)
- Crafts Studio
Textile crafts are traditionally done by Ainu women, and are known as menoko kar pe in the Ainu language. Techniques include weaving, sewing and knitting. This demonstration includes a talk and a video showing the beauty of these crafts.
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- Crafts
Woodcarving Workshop
- Crafts Studio
Hear a talk about Ainu woodcarving and make a wooden smartphone stand with an Ainu pattern. The stand can be taken home after the workshop.
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- Crafts
Embroidery Workshop
- Crafts Studio
Hear a talk about Ainu crafts and embroider a wrapping cloth bag with an Ainu pattern. The bag can be taken home after the workshop.
*The item embroidered during the workshop may be subject to change. -
- 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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- Language
Ainu Language Picture-Story Show
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Experience Ainu language and culture through the fun of a picture-story show unique to Upopoy. Come along and enjoy the show.
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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
Who is TureppoN?
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Learn about turep (giant lily bulbs) and their role in the lives of the Ainu based on TureppoN, the mascot of Upopoy.
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- Life
See Inside a Cise
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
Take a look inside a cise (house) and learn more about household traditions and the connection between their inhabitants and the kamuy (spirit-deities). See demonstrations of occupational activities and watch videos showing the lives of Ainu people in the past.
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- Cuisine
Cooking Workshop Poroto Kitchen (reservation required)
- Workshop
Learn about Ainu life and culinary culture by preparing and eating delicious traditional dishes made with seasonal ingredients.
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- Children's Program
Ainu Language Program pirka! BINGO a=ki ro
- Workshop
Discover some of the basics of Ainu language through a children’s bingo game unique to Upopoy. Each child who participates receives a special gift!