Shiraoi Ainu Museum | Hokkaido's Hidden Cultural Gem

| Hokkaido's Hidden Cultural Gem. In Shiraoi Town, located in the southwestern part of Hokkaido, there is a time capsule-like museum called the Shiraoi Ainu Museum, which quietly tells the ancient and mysterious stories of the Ainu people. Stepping into the museum is like traveling through time and space, entering the long history of the Ainu people. Every exhibit in the museum is a sediment of time, telling the past of this ethnic group in a silent language. From the early dwellings to the exquisite wooden knife sheaths to the costumes displaying traditional Ainu patterns, all of them showcase the unique artistic creativity and profound cultural heritage of the Ainu people. The museum's permanent exhibition is like a grand historical painting, covering multiple themes such as the language, worldview, life, history, livelihood, and communication of the Ainu people. Here, you can learn about the unique language system of the Ainu language, feel their reverence for the spirits of all things in nature, explore their traditional survival methods of hunting, fishing, and gathering, and trace their historical trajectory of interaction and communication with other ethnic groups. In addition to static exhibits, the museum also offers various lively performances and experiential activities, allowing visitors to personally experience the charm of Ainu culture. The ancient Ainu dance, with its rhythmic steps and unique music, seems to transport people to an ancient Ainu village, where they can see the joyful scenes of celebrations or ceremonies. You can also try playing traditional Ainu musical instruments, such as the bamboo mouth harp "mukkuri" and the five-stringed harp "tonkori," and feel the unique melody flowing through your fingertips. Outside the museum, the National Ainu Museum and Park is an outdoor display of Ainu culture. The Ainu traditional village "kotan" in the park is scattered with traditional Ainu houses "cise," allowing people to get a close look at the Ainu way of life. Sitting by the fireplace, listening to the Ainu storyteller narrate ancient legends in the Ainu language, feeling the dramatic tension contained in the ups and downs of the tone, it is as if you are in a world full of mystery.