ABOUT
About this spot
Opened in 2020, Upopoy (National Ainu Museum and Park) is a national center where you can experience the rich culture of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, with all five senses. Scattered across the vast grounds on the shore of Lake Poroto are the "National Ainu Museum," which displays precious materials, and the "Experience Exchange Hall," where you can see traditional performing arts. In particular, the demonstrations of "Ainu Traditional Dance," also registered as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, are spectacular, letting you feel the Ainu spiritual world along with the sound of the traditional instrument, the mukkuri. In the area lined with traditional houses (chise), you can also catch a glimpse of how people lived at the time. There are also plenty of handicraft experience programs such as wood carving and embroidery, and cafe menus that give traditional Ainu foods a modern twist. It is a new classic spot you cannot miss on a Hokkaido trip, where you can not only learn history but also encounter cultural diversity while having fun with family and friends.
Last updated March 29, 2026