Most Hokkaido programmes are about snow, food and hot springs. Upopoy adds something they usually lack: the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Hokkaido. Opened in 2020 in the town of Shiraoi, Upopoy is Japan's national centre for Ainu culture, with a museum, a performance hall, workshops and a reconstructed village by a lake.
Where it fits
Shiraoi sits on the Pacific coast between New Chitose Airport and the hot-spring town of Noboribetsu. That makes Upopoy an easy stop on the first or last day of a southern Hokkaido route. See our guide to Noboribetsu and our Hokkaido group tours guide.
What visitors see
- The National Ainu Museum. Exhibitions on Ainu language, belief, daily life and history, with information in several languages.
- Performances. Traditional dance and music in the Cultural Exchange Hall, at set times each day.
- Crafts and food. Demonstrations and short experiences such as carving, embroidery and music.
- The village. Reconstructed houses by the lake, with talks by staff.
Group practicalities
- Closed days. Upopoy is usually closed on Mondays, or the next day when Monday is a holiday, and hours are shorter in winter. We check the calendar for each date.
- Group admission. A group rate applies to larger groups.
- Programmes. Reserved programmes are currently offered for school groups. Other groups visit the museum and the scheduled performances, which work well for tours.
- Time. Allow at least half a day. The museum alone deserves two hours.
- Respect. This is a living culture, not a theme park. We brief clients on photography and behaviour.
How we plan it
We time the visit to the performance schedule, book group admission, and add a local guide where the group needs more context. For school trips, see our educational travel guide.
FAQ
What is Upopoy? The National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, opened in 2020 as Japan's national centre for Ainu culture.
How do you get to Upopoy? By road from New Chitose Airport or Noboribetsu, or by train to JR Shiraoi Station, a short walk away.
Is Upopoy suitable for groups? Yes. The museum and scheduled performances work well for groups; reserved programmes are currently for school groups.
Want Upopoy in your clients' Hokkaido programme? Write to b2b@explera.jp, message the trade desk on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090, or register on the B2B portal. Proposals within 24 hours. IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
