The National Ainu Museum (Japanese: 国立アイヌ民族博物館, Kokuritsu Ainu Minzoku Hakubutsukan), commonly known as Upopoy (ウポポイ), is a cultural institution dedicated to the preservation, research, and presentation of Ainu heritage. It is located in the town of Shiraoi, Hokkaidō, Japan, and forms part of the larger National Ainu Museum and Park complex.
Overview
- Establishment: The museum opened to the public on 22 July 2020.
- Location: Shiraoi, a coastal municipality on the southern part of Hokkaidō, approximately 30 km south of Sapporo.
- Purpose: To serve as a national center for Ainu cultural education, research, and exhibition, supporting the recognition of the Ainu as an indigenous people of Japan and promoting the revitalization of Ainu language and traditions.
Facilities and Collections
The museum comprises several exhibition halls, research facilities, and interactive spaces:
- Exhibition Hall – Presents permanent and temporary exhibitions on Ainu history, cosmology, material culture, and contemporary life. Displays include traditional garments (such as attus), tools, carvings, and audio‑visual material.
- Experience Hall – Offers hands‑on activities, including traditional crafts (e.g., ikupasuy carving, weaving), musical performances, and language workshops.
- Research Center – Supports scholarly work on Ainu anthropology, linguistics, and archaeology, and houses a library of Ainu-related publications and archival documents.
- Outdoor Park (Upopoy) – Features reconstructed Ainu villages, a ceremonial “kamuy” shrine, and natural landscapes reflecting the environment traditionally inhabited by the Ainu.
Administration
The museum is operated by the Hokkaidō Government in collaboration with the Ainu community, particularly the Ainu Cultural Promotion Association. Governance includes representation from Ainu elders and scholars to ensure culturally appropriate interpretation and management.
Historical Context
The establishment of the National Ainu Museum follows several decades of policy shifts in Japan concerning Ainu rights. Notable milestones include the 1997 Ainu Cultural Promotion Act and the 2008 amendment recognizing the Ainu as an indigenous people. The museum is part of a broader governmental initiative to promote cultural diversity and address historical marginalization of the Ainu.
Visitor Information
- Opening Hours: Generally open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours during special exhibitions.
- Admission: Fees are tiered for adults, students, seniors, and children; discounted or free admission is provided for Ainu individuals and local residents under certain programs.
- Accessibility: Facilities are wheelchair‑accessible, and multilingual support (Japanese, English, Ainu, and other languages) is available for tours and signage.
Significance
The National Ainu Museum is the first national-level museum in Japan dedicated solely to an indigenous culture. It functions as an educational resource for both domestic and international audiences, fostering greater awareness of Ainu contributions to Japanese history and cultural diversity.
