The indigenous people of Hokkaido, the Ainu, are integral to Japanese society. However, they were largely marginalised throughout history – in fact, it wasn't until 2019 that the Japanese government officially recognised and declared the Ainu as an indigenous people of Japan.
Photo: Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park
To celebrate and preserve the history and culture of the Ainu, the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park will open in Shiraoi, Hokkaido in April 2020. This is Hokkaido’s first national museum and the first national museum in Japan dedicated to the Ainu and their culture. Upopoy means 'singing in a large group' in Ainu, and the museum hopes to connect visitors to their history and culture, which is sadly disappearing.
Photo: Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park
The museum, next to Lake Poroto and surrounded by lush nature, will have two main areas: the National Ainu Museum and the National Ainu Park. The former will have permanent and special exhibitions across two floors explaining Ainu heritage, language, culture and daily life in historical and contemporary perspectives in Japanese, English and Ainu.
Photo: Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park
The National Ainu Park is an interactive, open-air museum where visitors can learn and immerse themselves with Ainu culture. Visitors can watch or participate in Ainu dance with musical accompaniment on the mukkuri and tonkori, try their hand at traditional wood carving or embroidery of traditional Ainu patterns, or learn how to cook Ainu cuisine. There are also special classes for kids to learn about Ainu culture. If you’re short on time, grab a bite at the food court or take a peek at the Kotan, a traditional Ainu village.
The Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park will open on April 24 2020. In the meantime, check out the official website.
Visiting Tokyo? Stop by the Tokyo National Museum to learn more about Japanese history. Plus, it's time to get ready for spring – Shibuya's Miyashita Park and Tokyo Disneyland's New Fantasyland are also opening this year.