Ahokkaidao-upopoi-photo-gallery photo collection of the Ainu National Museum, Upopoy. I hope it can be useful for those planning to visit Hokkaido. In addition to exhibits, a wide variety of live performances and experiences are offered, including Ainu art, dance, song, musical instruments, storytellers, cuisine, clothing, woodcarving, and more.
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2 Chome-3 Wakakusacho, Shiraoi, Shiraoi District, Hokkaido 059-0902
At Upopoy's traditional village, you can have various experiences. Here's a male storyteller dressed in Ainu attire.
Inside the traditional village's houses, there are many tools that the Ainu people used. There are various tools called 'inau,' which were crafted by whittling wood and served different purposes.
Near the hearth, there were also Inau placed. Perhaps they are offerings to the god of fire?
The male storyteller and tourists gather around the Irori hearth, and he shares stories about the Ainu way of life.
Ritual tools used by the Ainu inside one of the houses in the Kotan village.
A woman playing the traditional Ainu instrument, the Mukkuri.
The gathering hall in the Kotan is spacious with a high ceiling and numerous exhibits. The salmon hanging over the hearth are all real.
A woman sings an Ainu lullaby in the Ainu language.
Rainy Kotan Upopoy.
Exhibits like the stick with Dango known as "Shitonic," a flower arrow called "Epereai," and Inau are on display.
Ainu decorations applied to a young bear.
Exhibits of Ainu patterned jackets, women's ceremonial attire, winter clothing, and impressive glass bead necklaces and earrings worn by women.
An Inau with a human face carved into it.
A flower-shaped arrow called "Epereai" in Ainu culture.
A intricately carved wooden sheath for a short sword with detailed Ainu patterns.
Ainu Jewelry.
Artisans demonstrate their craftsmanship at Upopoy Workshop, and the crafted items are also on display.
A man demonstrating the creation of a wooden craft. He certainly has a dignified presence.
The staff told me, "Feel free to approach and ask questions," but I was so overwhelmed by their intense focus on creating their artwork that I couldn't bring myself to interrupt them with questions.
The tray with Ainu patterns carved into it. They are lovely.
There's an interesting building by the lake at Upopoy. When I looked into it, I found out it's a Hoshino Resorts facility called "KAI Poroto." I'd love to stay there sometime.
Ainu ritual decoration known as "Inau." An exhibit at Upopoy. Dated 2004.
Just a few generations ago, the land of Ezo (Hokkaido) was home to such Ainu activities.
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