One of the things that anyone who has experienced a tour of Hokkaido has encountered at least once is "Ainu culture."

Famous spots where you can experience Ainu culture include the "Akan Lake Ainu Kotan" in Kushiro City, the "Biratori Town Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum" in Biratori Town, and the "Ainu National Museum" in Shiraoi Town.

In particular, the Ainu Museum in Shiraoi Town is conveniently located within an hour's drive or train ride from New Chitose Airport. Why not experience Ainu culture in Shiraoi, a place that's gaining attention recently as the setting for a popular comic book?

The article is from 2016, and the museum is currently closed.
It is scheduled to reopen in April 2020 as the "National Ainu Museum."

1. What kind of town is Shiraoi?
2. What is the Ainu Museum "Porotokotan"?
3. Access to Poroto Kotan
4. The Kotankorokuru statue, the symbol of the museum.
5. Interact with bears and Hokkaido dogs.
6. Ainu Herb Garden and Wildflower Garden
7. Experience traditional Ainu dance
8. Learn about Ainu culture at the exhibition hall.
9. Museum Cafe "Cafe Rimse"
Summary

The Ainu National Museum is located in Shiraoi Town.
It is located between Noboribetsu City, one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts, and Tomakomai City, a major industrial city in Hokkaido.

The main industries in this town are livestock farming and fishing.
Thoroughbred farms produce excellent racehorses.

Furthermore, Shiraoi beef is very popular, and the "Shiraoi Beef Festival," held every June, is bustling with beef fans from all over Hokkaido.

The town also boasts of its seafood, and the cod roe from Kojōhama is especially popular at local product fairs.

In addition, I recommend a relaxing time at the secluded seaside hot spring, Kojohama Onsen, or refreshing yourself with forest bathing and activities in the healing forest!

Shiraoi is blessed with abundant seafood, mountain produce, and rich natural beauty, but the heart of its tourist attractions is the Ainu Museum, also known as "Porotokotan," which we will introduce today.

Shiraoi was originally the site of an Ainu settlement.

During the late Edo period and the Meiji era, many people migrated to Hokkaido from outside the region, but amidst these changes, the Ainu people of Shiraoi have cherished their traditions.

And Poroto Kotan was created to preserve and pass on the culture that has been handed down since ancient times.
In 1965, the settlement, which was located in the town of Shiraoi, was relocated to the shores of Lake Poroto, and a museum was built, dedicating efforts to the preservation and promotion of Ainu culture.

And now, those efforts have borne fruit, and in 2020, it will move to a new stage as the National Museum, tentatively named the "National Ainu Culture Museum."

The Ainu traditional lifestyle, which respects and coexists with nature, is attracting attention from all over the world.
Furthermore, many artists and designers draw inspiration from the unique art and crafts of the Ainu people.

Poroto Kotan is about a 13-minute walk from JR Shiraoi Station, but since there are very few trains that stop there, we recommend going by car.

Using the Hokkaido Expressway, it takes about an hour from Sapporo and about 30 minutes from New Chitose Airport.
At this point, I recommend taking a break at Tarumae Service Area.

This is a viewpoint for Mount Tarumae. Mount Tarumae is an active volcano with a unique shape, resembling a pudding on a plate.
We exit at Shiraoi IC, about 16km past Tarumae SA, and head towards Poroto Kotan.

As you approach the gate of Poroto Kotan, you can already see the upper half of the "Kotankorokuru statue," which is familiar from tourist guidebooks and other publications.

Once you pay the entrance fee at the gate and go inside, it's quite large!

That's no surprise, as the Kotankorokuru statue is 16 meters tall, the same size as the Great Buddha of Nara.

A little further from the Kotankorokuru statue, you'll find enclosures for Hokkaido dogs and bears!
Both the dogs and the bears seem to be used to people, as they are spending their time leisurely.

I heard that the offspring of "Dad," the dog who appears in cell phone commercials, is currently here, so I went to check it out. However, the dog went deep into the kennel and wouldn't come out, so I don't have any photos of the dog... Please forgive me.

On the other hand, you can see the bears at very close range. I don't think you'd often get this close even at a zoo.
There was a stall selling "bear food" right next to the enclosure, so I accidentally bought some!

The sight of a bear stuffing its face with food is so endearing that you easily forget it's a dangerous animal.

Across from the dog and bear enclosures is a small garden.

This is the wild plant garden. This area showcases plants that the Ainu people used for medicinal and edible purposes.
Since I visited in May when it was still quite chilly, the plants hadn't grown much yet, but I'll introduce a few of them.

Otonpuikina. Its Japanese name is Kusanoou, and it is a medicinal plant belonging to the poppy family.

Pukusa. Its Japanese name is Gyōja-ninniku, and it's also called Ainu-negi locally. It's a common wild vegetable in Hokkaido.

Yukizasa. A plant belonging to the lily family. It is edible.

Among these, the one that deserves special mention is the black lily.

This is a rare flower that you don't often see, even in Hokkaido.
I was so lucky to be able to see the black lilies!

Further on, in the center of the grounds, five Ainu houses (chise) stand in a row.

This time, we heard that an Ainu traditional dance performance was being held in the Saunchise (meaning "house in the foreground" in Ainu), which is the closest building to us, so we went inside.

The performance begins with several traditional Ainu dances being presented, accompanied by explanations from the staff.

This time, the male staff performed spirited dances, while the female staff sang rounds and lullabies.
This performance has a mysterious charm, with a simple beat that resonates in your heart.

Finally, we entered the exhibition hall of the Ainu Museum.

The Ainu worldview is expressed through delicate illustrations that cover the entire wall, and Ainu life is introduced along with numerous historical documents.

Among them was an animated version of an Ainu folktale told by an Ainu grandmother, and I was drawn into its不思議な (mysterious/unique) world.
(This anime can also be watched on the internet.)

This museum also has a shop with a wide selection of books and other materials about the Ainu people, as well as textiles and woodworking products that adapt unique Ainu designs to modern times.

Finally, I'd like to introduce you to "Cafe Rimse," the cafe located within the museum.

Let me introduce you to some of our recommended dishes.

First, the Ohause set.

"Ohau" is a type of soup. It is said to be the origin of "Sanpei-jiru," a local dish from Hokkaido.

It's a salt-based soup with ingredients like salmon, potatoes, and carrots. The ingredients are almost the same as Sanpei-jiru, but it has a lighter flavor and I felt that the taste of the ingredients was more prominent.

This is Niseu Udon.

"Niseu" refers to acorns, and acorn flour is kneaded into the udon noodles.

I've had Ainu cuisine several times at restaurants specializing in Ainu food, but this was something I didn't think I'd have the chance to try, so I decided to give it a go!
These udon noodles have a firm, chewy texture and a wild, satisfying bite.

The shiitake mushrooms are locally sourced, and the meat is from Hokkaido venison. This dish also has a light flavor.

After enjoying delicious Ainu cuisine, I spent a relaxing time gazing at Lake Poroto while feeling the refreshing Hokkaido breeze.

Summary

This time, we introduced the area to tourists, but Poroto Kotan regularly hosts events such as lectures, concerts, and craft workshops.

Additionally, every summer, an event called "Night at Poroto Kotan" is held, offering a deeper experience of Ainu culture.
If you have the chance, you should definitely try it!

Furthermore, it has been decided that a national Ainu cultural museum will open on the shores of Lake Poroto in 2020. We can look forward to that as well!
For details, please see “Notices from the Career Support Office” onAgency for Cultural Affairs websiteAt

[Ainu Museum (Shiraoi Poroto Kotan)]
Address:2-3-4 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun
access:
[JR] 10-minute walk from JR Shiraoi Station
[By car] 5km from Shiraoi IC on the Hokkaido Expressway
Opening hours: 8:45-17:00
Closed: December 29th - January 5rd
Admission fee: Adults 800 yen / High school students 600 yen / Junior high school students 500 yen / Elementary school students 350 yen
Telephone number: 0144-82-3914
home page:http://www.ainu-museum.or.jp/

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