Hokkaido Experience Ainu Culture at Upopoy National Museum

Upopoy, the National Ainu Museum and Park, is Japan’s first national facility dedicated to the Indigenous Ainu people of Hokkaido. Upopoy means “singing in a large group” in Ainu, symbolizing harmony. The site features a modern museum, open-air spaces, and hands-on programs. Exhibits cover Ainu language, music, clothing, hunting, beliefs, rituals, and their journey from trade and assimilation to recognition in 2019, while also highlighting how Ainu culture continues to thrive into the future. Visitors can also enjoy performances of traditional songs and dances, craft demonstrations, and try Ainu instruments—experiences that make the culture come alive. Located in Shiraoi, about an hour from Sapporo, Upopoy is the best place to explore Ainu heritage and reflect on cultural coexistence in Japan today.