Cultural Experience Programs

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

- 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 "Sinot" / "Imeru" (4/1-10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy a range of songs, dances, oral literature and musical performances from various rituals and daily life. *Each performance will feature either sinot or imeru.
- Video
Screening of Short Films "kamuy yukar" (4/1-10/31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy dynamic animations (films) based on Ainu legends.
1. The Boy Who Brought Down ak amuy
2.The Solar Deity Caught by Evil Fox
- Kiroroan: Upopoy at Night
Outdoors 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.
- Performing Arts
Musical Performance (4/1ｰ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
- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop "Mukkuri for Beginners" (4/1-10/31)
- Workshop
Learn how to play mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp. The instructor will teach you how to hold the instrument and change the sound in three ways.
- 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. Even first-timers can try their hand at playing a melody.
- 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.
- 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.
- Crafts
Embroidery Workshop "ikarkar=an ro" (4/1-10/31)
- Crafts Studio
Select from a range of items and try embroidering an Ainu pattern.
- Crafts
Woodcarving Workshop "inuye=an ro" (4/1-10/31)
- Crafts Studio
Carve an Ainu pattern into your very own wooden smartphone stand or coaster.
- Video
Screen Experience "kamuy eyes"(4/1ｰ10/31)
- Workshop
- -Annex
See the world from the perspectives of the animals that Ainu people view as kamuy (spirit-deities), with panoramic views that make you feel like you’re running wild amid Hokkaido’s abundant nature
- 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
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.
- Performing Arts
Performing Arts Workshop "upopo a=ki ro" (4/1-10/31)
- Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
- -Sinot cise (Activity House)
Upopoy means "singing together in a large group." Let’s sing upopo, traditional Ainu songs, together!
- 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=ye 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!
- Life
Dugout Canoe Demonstration and Talk (Held around May to 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.
- Life
Archery Experience "aksinot" (4/1-10/31)
- 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.