Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)

This area features a group of reconstructed cise (houses), where you can experience a traditional Ainu living space. In addition to exploring the area and taking part in ceremonies, you can try on traditional clothing.

• • 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.

• • 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=yr 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!

• • Performing Arts

  Musical Workshop "Mukkuri for Beginners"(4/1-10/31)

  • 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"(4/1-10/31)

  • Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
  • -Outdoor

  

  Walk among the trees that surround the kotan (traditional Ainu village) as you find out about how Ainu people use plants in their clothing, food, housing and rituals, along with stories about the trees.

• • Life

  Archery Experience "aksinot"(4/1-10/31)

  • Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)
  • -Outdoor

  

  Aksinot is a simulation of hunting using a kind of bow and arrow. These arrows are blunt, so they’re a fun and safe way for people of all ages to learn archery.

• • Life

  Dugout Canoe Demonstration and Talk(May-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.