Ainu Museum Poroto Kotan

Museum Dedicated to the Arts & Crafts of the Ainu | Hokkaido

This museum recreates an indigenous Ainu village (a koton) on the shore of Lake Poroto. It was opened in 1984 as a facility to display the tangible and intangible cultural assets of the Ainu, and to conduct scientific research. Inside are several reproductions such as Ainu chise (thatch-roofed Ainu houses), pu (for storing food), hepere set (cages for young bears), and chip (dugout canoes). This Ainu collection, the largest in Japan, contains permanent exhibitions that are thematically categorized according to various aspects of daily life. Visitors can also experience a folk music performance played with mukkuri, as well as an ancient Ainu dance, which has been designated an important intangible folk culture asset. Tens of thousands of visitors from Japan and abroad come every year to learn about the traditional ways of the Ainu people.

Ainu Crafts

The museum also offers tourists with a glimpse at the life and daily activities of the Ainu people. There are artifacts and ancient tools on display, depicting the various arts, crafts, and activities of the Ainu. While exploring the museum, tourists are encouraged to check out the displays and recreated Ainu goods available in the open-air museum. In addition to arts and crafts, the Ainu museum has a few Hokkaido Dogs on site and even bears. The animals are kept in paddocks and can be fed with biscuits for sale on-site. If you're fascinated by Ainu culture, Japan Deluxe Tours highly recommends adding the Ainu Museum Poroto Kotan museum to your holiday travels. Ask your agent about this museum while booking a Hokkaido Tour to add this charming destination to your vacation itinerary!

Picture provided by Traditional Ainu Folk Craft Nibutani Ainu Takumi no Michi

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