Asahikawa | In-depth Experience of Ainu Culture: Deputy Curator's Guided Tour × 500 Artifacts × Jaw Harp and Paper Cutting Practice 099
| Departure / Meeting Point: | Kawamura Kaneto 愛努紀念館 |
|---|---|
| Duration | Half-day experience (approximately 2 hours) |
| Operating Period | 2026-04-01 ~ 2027-03-31 |
| Minimum Number of Participants | 2 ~ 8 people |
| Price (per person) |
Adult: ¥9,000 Child: ¥9,000 |
| Age Restriction | 6 歲以上（需家長陪同） |
Itinerary Details
A Paradise Where Gods Coexist: The Ainu People's View of Nature
For the Ainu people, all things possess a spirit (Kamui). In this oldest memorial hall in Asahikawa, you will see how their ancestors drew inspiration from nature to create clothing, hunting tools, and ceremonial objects, developing a philosophy of mutualistic coexistence with forests, rivers, and animals in the harsh northern environment. The deputy director’s guided tour will transport you back in time, allowing you to experience the poetic wisdom of “harmonious coexistence with nature”—a wisdom almost lost in modern cities—a genuine understanding that no textbook can provide.
A Century-Old Legacy: Kawamura Kaneto Memorial Hall
Founded in 1916, this is not only Japan’s only private Ainu memorial museum, but also a spiritual bastion for the local people to safeguard their cultural heritage. Through the exhibition halls renovated in 2023, more than 500 artifacts are no longer just cold exhibits, but living testimonies to history. Experience the northern resonance of the mouth harp firsthand, discover the blessings and aesthetics hidden in the patterns of Ainu totem paper-cutting—this journey will become your most heartwarming and irreplaceable precious memory of Hokkaido.
Itinerary
In-depth guided tours and historical dialogues
Memorial Hall Collection and Introduction
We will meet at the Ainu Memorial Hall in Kawamura Kaneto, where the deputy director will personally greet us and introduce the history of the memorial hall’s founding over the past century and the important role of the Ainu people of Asahikawa in the history of Hokkaido.
Guided tour of 500 rare cultural relics
Upon entering the exhibition hall, visitors can closely observe the clothing, daily necessities, and ritual offerings under the guidance of the deputy curator. Behind each artifact lies a story, and through detailed explanations, visitors can appreciate the unique aesthetics and ingenuity of life that the Ainu people have forged in the harsh northern lands.
Traditional practice and warm tea gathering
Ainu Totem Paper Cutting and Musical Instrument Experience
Get hands-on! Learn to make Ainu totem paper cuttings with protective significance, or try playing the traditional instrument, the mouth harp (Mukkuri), under guidance, and feel the unique resonance from the northern land, bringing the blessings of the Ainu people home with your own hands.
Ainu Herbal Tea Narrative and Ode to Return
Sitting around and savoring traditional natural herbal tea, exchanging questions and engaging in a warm conversation with the deputy curator, we summarized today’s cultural experience amidst the aroma of tea and the warmth of human connection, thus concluding this cultural journey across a thousand years in Asahikawa.
Important Information & Cancellation Policy
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Precautions
Business Hours
- Closed every Tuesday during the winter months (December to April). Please confirm in advance and avoid this date when making a reservation.
Transportation
- Parking is available on site; it is recommended to drive or take a bus/taxi from Asahikawa Station.
Language Guide
- The guided tours are primarily in Japanese. If you require language support, it is recommended that you have basic Japanese skills or bring your own translator.
Cancellation policy
- Once a reservation is made, a 5% system cancellation fee will be charged if the reservation is cancelled due to personal reasons.
- Cancellation 7 days before departure date: 30%
- Cancellation 3 days before departure date: 50%
- Cancelled on the same day: 100%
