Winter fun at UPOPOY

Last Updated: December 3, 2023

Upopoy’s White Season began on Wednesday, November 1. Immerse yourself in Ainu culture amid the unique beauty of the winter landscapes.

White Season Period

November 1(Wed), 2023 — March 31, 2024(Sun)

Opening hours

9:00am to 5:00pm

Activity timetable

Timetable

Things to enjoy during the White Season

5th Seasonal Exhibition “A Night at the National Ainu Museum”

Marl the Ghost will guide visitors through the museum exhibition rooms, which appear different from usual as they have been designed to look like the world at night! We offer you an exciting and thrilling museum experience in which you can search for new discoveries. The exhibition is structured to enable visitors to enjoy and learn about the Ainu language and culture through the picture book, Marl the Ghost and Some Beautiful Words (Nakanishi Publishing Co. Ltd.) and interactive digital art by the creative company, NAKED INC., that changes as visitors touch the images.

The picture book, Marl the Ghost and Some Beautiful Words (illustrated by Nakai Rei, written by Bun Kētarō) is set in UPOPOY (the Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony) and was released on 24 April 2020 together with a multilingual version of Marl the Ghost and Some Beautiful Words.

Date

December 23, 2023(Sat) – February 18, 2024(Sun)

Venue

National Ainu Museum 2F Special Exhibition Room

Upopoy Illuminations

Upopoy takes on a magical new look with around 83,000 lights creating shadows of animals that are significant to Ainu culture. This is the Upopoy Illumination in Cikisani Square. The dazzling boxes of lights and captivating animal shadows create an ethereal atmosphere on the shore of Lake Poroto.

Date

November 18, 2023(Sat) — January 21, 2024(Sun)
3:00pm to 5:00pm

November 18, 2023(Sat) — February 12, 2024(Mon)

Venue

Cikisani Square

kamuy symphonia

A creation myth told the Ainu is brought to life in a dynamic projection mapping show. Enjoy a unique production that combines video, sound, shimmering objects and trees.

Date

Every Friday and Saturday from December 2023 to January 2024
4:30pm to 4:45pm

• excluding December 29 and 30

Venue

Cultural Exchange Hall (Outdoor)

Kuca (hunting hut)

A Kuca is a small hut set up to shelter from the wind and snow when hunting in the wilderness in winter. There are basic facilities for cooking and sleeping.

Date

Snow season (January to February)

Venue

Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)

Satcep (dried fish)

Ainu people dry fish to preserve it during the winter months. At the Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village), you can see salmon hanging up to dry outside.

Date

From the end of December

Venue

Kotan (Traditional Ainu Village)