Ainu Culture Promotion Center, disseminating the spirit of the Ainu
Visitors can enjoy learning about the livelihood, history and art of the Ainu, who lived indigenously on northern lands and fostered a unique culture.
This is Japan's first facility featuring indigenous peoples, where visitors can watch, touch and experience numerous traditional Ainu handicrafts made by Ainu living in Sapporo.

Opening hours: 8:45 a.m.-10:00 p.m. (9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for Exhibition Room)
Closed: Mon., national holidays, year end and New Year holidays (Dec.29-Jan.3) and last Tue. of every month
Admission fees: Free of charge
Admission fees to Exhibition Room: Adults: 200 yen (180 yen); High school students: 100 yen (90 yen)
*Figures in parentheses indicate admission fees for groups
Address: Koganeyu 27, Minami-ku, Sapporo Tel: (011)596-5961 Fax: (011)596-5967
Access to Pirka Kotan (directions and maps)

[ainu-siriki] Beautiful patterns inscribed on the tools and clothes of Ainu

[cispo] a needle case
[kem] ani [nuyto] needle and thread

[tasiro] A knife for men

[Makiri] Knife
[Menoko-makiri] Knife for women

[Menoko-ita] A useful cooking utensil that combines a chopping board and serving bowl

Facilities

2 Shizen-no-Sato (Hometown of Nature)
An iyutap (rice milling device) and a pond are reproduced, and you will feel the close relationship between the Ainu and water.

3. Entrance Hall
Make your way down the walkway decorated with a Blakiston's fish owl, one of the Ainu deities, and proceed into the entrance, where you will set foot into the world of Ainu culture. a monument carved in wood envisioning the rejuvenation of Ainu culture welcomes you.

4. Street Gallery
The Street Gallery resembles a gentle flowing river. Exhibited in the display cases are examples of present-day Ainu culture, works that emanate a breath of newness as well as those handed down by tradition through generations.

5. Information Corner
You can investigate Ainu culture and history using an information system, video images and publications.
Touch panel information system
Image library
Book browsing corner
Ainu language PC dictionary

6. Itaomacip
This is an Ainu oceangoing boat measuring approximately 15 meter in length.

7. Lecture Room
Equipped with imaging devices and information system functions designed to introduce culture and history, this room offers space for those who wish to further learn about Ainu culture.

8. Exhibition Room
You can hold exhibits in your hands.
Data concerning exhibits are displayed, using barcodes.
Imaging corner with guidance
Digital picture show of ancient stories
Ainu language quiz
Pirka piano
Quoits made of grapevines
Table with hands-on activities

9. Interaction Hall
Welcoming interaction between the Ainu and visitors as well as the promotion of oral traditional culture. This space can be converted into a multi-purpose hall by installing 187 movable spectator seats.

*Our hands-on experience facilities for Ainu culture were born in Koganeyu Hot Spring Resort, which has long boasted of its spas and valleys as being the Okuzashiki (inner room) of Sapporo. Clean air and abundant forests with distinct seasonal expressions welcome visitors.