Upopoy National Ainu Museum

Upopoy, which means 'singing together in a large group' in the Ainu language, opened in 2020 on the shores of Lake Poroto as Japan's first national museum dedicated to Ainu culture. Six permanent exhibition themes cover language, spirituality, daily life, history, work, and cultural exchange, with films and interactive displays throughout. Outside, a reconstructed kotan village shows traditional cise homes. Live dance performances, hands-on craft workshops, and tastings of Ainu food run throughout the day. Plan for a full morning or afternoon to get through both the indoor exhibitions and the cultural park.