Cultural Experience Programs

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

- 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" / "Imeru" (Nov.1ｰMar.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(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Cultural Exchange Hall
Enjoy dynamic animations (films) based on Ainu legends.
1. The Boy Who Brought Down a kamuy 2.The 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
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"(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.
- Performing Arts
Musical Workshop "Tonkori for Beginners"(Nov.1ｰMar.31)
- Workshop
Try playing the mukkuri, a kind of mouth harp, and tonkori zither. Anyone can join in!
- 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
Screen Experience “kamuy eyes”(Nov.1ｰMar.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.
- 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)
Experience the fascinating world of Ainu oral literature as you 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” (11/1-3/31)
- 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"(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 this bingo game unique to Upopoy. The winners get 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. You’ll even receive a free gift!
- 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.