Lake Akan Ainu Kotan

The Largest Ainu Settlement in Hokkaido

The Lake Akan Ainu Kotan is the largest Ainu settlement (Kotan is Ainu for village) in Hokkaido, dedicated to preserving and sharing the traditions and customs of the Ainu people. Home to over 100 people of Ainu decent, the settlement is the perfect spot to go for traditional Ainu goods and food. Lined with about thirty craft shops with decorative trinkets, goods, and local specialties guests can enjoy. While at the village, be sure to watch the Traditional Ainu Dance or the Iomante Fire Festival performed at the Village's Ainu Theater Ikor. The Traditional Ainu Dance is Hokkaido's only designated important intangible cultural heritage of Japan, and has even been performed at international venues, such as the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The village also has a recreated Ponchise, a small house where Ainu would live, that showcases the everyday objects and clothing used by the Ainu. Add the Lake Akan Ainu Kotan to a custom Japan Tour package through Hokkaido to learn more about the indigenous people of Japan and the lives they lead.

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