Upopoy — National Ainu Museum

photo by Higa4 · CC0

photo by Higa4 · CC0

‘Upopoy’, on Lake Poroto, means ‘singing together in a large group’ in the Ainu language.

The Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, call the complex on the shores of Lake Poroto by this name, ‘singing together in a large group’: a national museum, a public park with performances and interactive programmes, and a secluded memorial facility on a hill on the east shore. It is Japan's first national museum dedicated to an indigenous people.

Upopoy is the national symbolic centre for ethnic coexistence set up by the Japanese state on the shores of Lake Poroto, in Shiraoi. The name comes from the language of the Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, and means ‘singing together in a large group’. The complex has three components, each with its own status: the National Ainu Museum, devoted to the history and culture of the people; the National Park of Ethnic Sharing, with dance performances and interactive programmes; and a memorial facility, on a separate hill on the east shore of the lake, for ceremonies.

🚉 Shiraoi · 18 min walk

Sources: town.shiraoi.hokkaido.jp

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