Ainu Museum: The Cultural World of Hokkaido's Indigenous Peoples

Ainu Museum (National Ainu Museum & Park) #HokkaidoCulture #ShiraoiAttractions #AinuExperience 🕰️ Hours: • Summer (April–October): 9:00 AM–6:00 PM • Winter (November–March): 9:00 AM–5:00 PM • Closed on Mondays (or the following day if it's a national holiday), and during the year-end and New Year holidays 🏖️ Environment/Facilities: • National Ainu Museum: Exhibits Ainu history, crafts, and daily necessities • National Park for Ethnic Symbiosis (Upopoy): Recreates a traditional Ainu settlement and offers cultural activities • Outdoor Stage: Ainu music, dance, and rap performances • Dining Area: Serves meals inspired by traditional ingredients • Souvenir Shop: Crafts and unique souvenirs 📍 Address: 2-chome, Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido 3-1 💰 Cost per person: • Admission: Adults 1,200 yen, students 600 yen, free for elementary school students and younger • Meals and craft workshops are charged separately depending on the activity 🏛️ A core hub of Ainu culture Upopoy is Japan's first national museum and park dedicated to Ainu culture. Officially opening in 2020, the park's name, "Upopoy," means "everyone singing together" in the Ainu language, symbolizing symbiosis and exchange. This is more than just a museum; it's a cultural center where visitors can gain a deeper understanding of Ainu traditions through interactive activities. 🎨 Museum Exhibits: A Microcosm of Life and Wisdom Inside, you can see: • Clothing and Textiles: The exquisite embroidery on traditional Ainu clothing symbolizes protection and blessings. • Crafts and Utensils: Wood carvings, fishing gear, and daily utensils showcase the wisdom of nature. • Myths and Oral Culture: Multimedia showcases myths and songs passed down through generations. Exhibits combine educational and artistic elements, allowing even visitors unfamiliar with Ainu culture to quickly immerse themselves in the culture. 🏕️ Outdoor Park: Enter an Ainu Village Stepping outside the museum, visitors will find themselves in a recreated Ainu settlement. Wooden chise (チセ) houses are scattered throughout the park, allowing visitors to enter and experience daily life. Seasonal events also include: • Handicrafts: Create small wood carvings and embroidered accessories • Cooking Class: Savor traditional dishes made with salmon, venison, and other ingredients • Performances: Enjoy Ainu dance, music, and epic poetry These activities allow visitors to go beyond simply viewing exhibits and truly experience the charm of Ainu culture. 🎶 Experience Ainu Song and Dance Daily performances are held on the outdoor stage, including: • Rhythmic traditional dances • Performances using instruments such as the mouth harp and taiko drums • Storytelling and chanting, recreating ancient myths These performances are not only lively but also imbued with profound cultural significance, making them a must-see highlight of your trip. 🍴 Food and Souvenirs The restaurants within the park offer dishes inspired by traditional Ainu ingredients: • Salt-grilled salmon • Venison dishes • Vegetable soups The natural and earthy flavors offer a taste of the earth. The souvenir shop sells a variety of handmade wood carvings, textiles, and everyday items, making them perfect souvenirs. 🚌 Transportation • Driving: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes from Sapporo, approximately 1 hour from New Chitose Airport. • JR: Take the JR train to Shiraoi Station, then walk for approximately 10 minutes. 🌟 Recommended Itinerary • Half-Day Tour: Morning museum visit → Lunch at the park → Afternoon crafting or dance performance. • Day Tour Extension: Combine Noboribetsu Onsen or Lake Shikotsu for a comprehensive itinerary combining culture, nature, and hot springs. The Ainu National Museum (Upopoy) is more than just an exhibition space; it's a vibrant experience of Hokkaido's indigenous culture. From traditional crafts to song and dance performances, from wisdom to natural cuisine, the museum showcases the diverse and fascinating Ainu culture. If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido, we recommend taking a half-day trip to Upopoy in Shiraoi to experience the spirit of "living in harmony with nature" firsthand. This will be one of the most unique and profound memories of your trip.