Foreign Perspectives of Ainu Culture: A Day of Adventure Travel

Today I'm here in Sapporo, Hokkaido, at the  Adventure Travel World Summit, where 800 people from over 60 countries working in travel related industries worldwide have gathered to participate in seminars, presentations and tour experiences. Adventure travel is a popular form of tourism, primarily in Europe and North America, that involves hands-on experiences in nature, activities, and learning about different cultures. The Adventure Travel World Summit is working to promote adventure travel, fo

stering relationships among people in the travel industry worldwide. In 2023, the summit took place in Hokkaido… the first time it was ever held in Asia. During a ceremony, performances of traditional songs and dances of the Ainu people took the stage. The Ainu are the indigenous people of the northern regions of the Japanese archipelago, in and around Hokkaido. The traditions of the Ainu are being actively preserved today, particularly among their descendants living in Hokkaido. Prior to the st

art of the official opening ceremony of at ATWS, happening right behind me, there were 31 Hokkaido day trips held simultaneously, all starting in Sapporo. We accompanied two tours from a selection of 31, which offered Ainu cultural experiences, visiting Asahikawa City and Shiraoi Town. What impressions will the Ainu culture have on people from overseas? We set out to explore how foreign visitors perceive the unique characteristics of Ainu culture. Odori Park runs through the heart of the city,

symbolized by its landmark Sapporo TV Tower. It also served as the meeting point for tour participants. Welcome to Hokkaido Sapporo in Japan. Ainu program to Asahikawa. My name is Kazu, a guide for you today. This tour had 14 international participants. The first experience tour we’ll introduce is "Travel back in time with the Ainu community." Our destination is Arashiyama, located outside of Asahikawa City, approximately a two-hour drive from Sapporo. Welcoming the tour participants dressed i

n the traditional attire of the Ainu people is Kawamura Haruto. In July 2023, he became the 4th director at the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum in Asahikawa City. The trek to Arashiyama is about to begin. Arashiyama is a sacred mountain revered by the Ainu people as "Chi-nomi-sir" Our Sacred Place to Pray. It holds great significance as a historic site for holding ceremonies and rituals. Arashiyama remains a cherished location for the Ainu people as a place of cultural heritage and traditio

n. He spots a plant that was indispensable to the Ainu people. This is a plant called "Oo Uba Yuri" In the Ainu language, it is called 'Turep. The Oo Uba Yuri, a lily family plant, is native to Hokkaido. High-quality starch can be extracted from its bulbs, which made it a crucial food source for the Ainu. When it's harvested then what is done it? We crush and extract starch from the root part, and make dumplings from it called sito. Sito was dried and utilized as medicine, an ingredient, and a p

reserved food by the Ainu. Along the walking path, there are numerous sasa bamboo leaves growing naturally. For the Ainu people living in Asahikawa, bamboo was a valued resource for building houses. When constructing cise which is a traditional Ainu house, we weave and cover the structures in this sasa bamboo. Although it seems to grow everywhere, we sometimes need so much, it still might not be enough. In 2022, an aging Cise was restored in Arashiyama. Kawamura Haruto also participated in the

rebuilding process, helping to collect the bamboo leaves. To build a durable and good-quality Cise structure, good bamboo leaves are essential. Sasa Bamboo with numerous leaves but also narrow spacing between the leaves is ideal for the construction. Nature provides what is needed. The Ainu people live their lives embracing the blessings that nature bestows upon them. A participant has spotted something in the trees. It's a Hokkaido squirrel. Perhaps it came to take a curious look at the unusual

visitors from abroad. An hour into their hike, they reach a mountaintop observation deck. From here, you can see Asahikawa city and the Asahidake mountains, as well as Ishikari River, one of Japan’s three largest rivers. Can you tell me a little bit more about the connection between the human and the spiritual world of the Ainu? For the Ainu people, deities are not just beings to be believed in; there's a sense of equality. When we pray, we create a tool called inau to symbolically convey huma

n thoughts. The philosophy is one of, Kamuy, please grant the wishes of humans as we have made an offering. The Ainu people consider certain creatures and phenomena, among the diverse entities that exist, as Kamuy. These are beings or forces that play crucial roles in the lives of humans and hold significant influence. I really wanted an authentic experience and learn something that I hadn't heard before. But in all honesty, I didn't hear about the Ainu community before coming to Japan. I would

really like to learn more about them and how they're living right now and how they are preserving their culture nowadays. After leaving Arashiyama, the next destination was the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum, where Kawamura Haruto serves as the director. It’s Japan's oldest Ainu museum. In 1916, Kawamura Haruto's great-grandfather, Kawamura Itakishiroma, opened his home to the public with the aim of passing on Ainu culture accurately to future generations. Subsequently, Kawamura Kaneto Ainu, Itakis

hiroma's son, invested personal funds to expand the facilities. A Cise has been faithfully reproduced outside. Arashiyama bamboo is woven into the walls and roof. Kawamura Hisae, Kawamura Haruto's mother, welcomed the guests with a greeting in Ainu. Kawamura Hisae and other Ainu, prepared a lunch with seasonal ingredients and traditional Ainu cuisine. There was rataskep, made with pumpkin and nuts, and sito, made with rice. The soup, called lulu, is made with root vegetables. Normally, it includ

es fish or meat, but they made a vegetarian version. Before the meal, Kawamura Haruto performed a prayer ritual in Ainu called "Kamuynomi”, a ceremony to invoke blessings. The ceremony involves generous offerings of sake and food, using the wooden ritual tool known as Inau. These are believed to grant standing to the Kamuy so they are more likely to fulfill the wishes of the Ainu. Kawamura Haruto prayed to the Kamuy, asking for an enjoyable journey for the tour. So we start. The Kawamura Kaneto

Ainu Museum underwent a renewal in July 2023. It now features numerous exhibits, including tools, clothing, and everyday items used by the Ainu people in their ceremonies and daily lives. These are ikupasui, the ceremonial tools used to convey wishes to the Kamuy, along with sake. These items are crucial because, they are the direct means through which messages are delivered to the deities. The designs of these items are crafted to be distinct, as it is believed that the deities pay more attenti

on to unique designs. This is an exhibit that depicts Iyomante, a ceremony in which a bear is returned to the deities. Bears were not just hunted but also captured and worshipped. The brown bear is the strongest creature in Hokkaido, and they would be hunted in their winter dens, where they hibernate. It was not uncommon to find bear cubs. In such cases, they bring a cub home. People would take responsibility for raising it, beginning with feeding them with their own breast milk. After raising t

he cub for two years, a ritual is performed to return the bear's soul to the Kamuy's world. In the ceremony, a variety of offerings are prepared and they are returned to the Kamuy's realm to pass along stories from the human world. I think the reason I chose this tour is because of the I'm interested in, because in the north of Sweden we have the Sami people with a lot of the same as I see now, the same traditions, so same beliefs. The Sami people, primarily residing in Sweden, Norway, and Finla

nd, traditionally sustained their livelihood through the nomadic herding and hunting of reindeer. They adorn themselves in vibrant traditional clothing and practice beliefs venerating various spirits dwelling in the vast expanse of nature. You know, but the similarities of the bear, for instance, how important it is or how some people also think about the bears, something almost human. So that is very interesting in a way. The Kawamuras perform an Ainu dance. This is known as the "Sword Dance,"

performed to ward away evil spirits. The Ainu used swords obtained through trade as protective spiritual tools. Kawamura Hisae says Ainu people love to sing and dance spontaneously when a large group gathers. I think it's possible to perceive Ainu culture not only as a thing of the past but also to overlay it on our present way of life. Recognizing that we, along with various entities, coexist on the same Earth, sharing lives and spirits like us. I feel that not thinking of humans as the sole i

nhabitants of the Earth leads to a happier perspective. One of the participants on this tour is Pico Iyer. He has been based in Japan for over 30 years as an essayist and travel writer. With numerous works on different cultures, he also delivered a keynote speech at the Adventure Travel World Summit. When I was in Hokkaido, it was a wonderful surprise for me to see how much Ainu people and Ainu culture were being included and celebrated. And at every moment in the conference and in the events ar

ound the conference always were I knew people included. So, I was very glad that now Japan has the wisdom to incorporate the Ainu heritage and see that it is a treasure that's within Japanese soil. And so, including the Ainu vision in the identity of Japan, I think is a is a great and a perfect way for Japan to go. The AINU believe that spirits dwell within all things and treasure the balance between nature and human beings. I can't wait to find out what we're going to learn on this next tour. I

t’s called "Ainu Craft & Culture in Shiraoi Town”. Eleven people from seven countries are participating. The initial destination is Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park. It's about 90 minutes by bus from Sapporo City. Upopoy serves as a hub for reviving and sharing the unique culture of the Ainu people. Its facilities include the "National Ainu Museum," focusing on history and culture, a cultural exchange hall where traditional performing arts like ancient dance can be enjoyed, and reproductions

of Ainu traditional houses called Cise in the park area. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Upopoy has seen an increase in visitors three years since its opening, including many tourists from overseas. The first stop is Cise the traditional Ainu houses. Houses are called Cise and it's a rule that they all face the same direction. The basis for construction is the window. This window in Ainu is called "Kamuy Puyar" or "Lorun Puyar". It’s the window through which Kamuy pass. T

he black containers you see there were all obtained through trade with the main island of Japan. The Ainu actively engaged in trade with other regions of Japan and neighboring countries throughout the years. Certain items acquired through trade were treated as treasures and adorned the sacred positions on the eastern side of the structure. A traditional dance performance began by the lakeside. It's called "Upopo," where they sit and sing. They keep rhythm by tapping the lid of a container. The m

elody is layered by singing one verse at a time in a round-robin fashion. A performance of Mukkuri, the traditional Ainu instrument, and traditional dances were also held. Didn't you feel like dancing along instead of just watching? The tour participants were called onto the stage. It seems like everyone will dance Ainu traditional dance together. Traditional Ainu dance was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009. Upopoy has become an invaluable place for learning and preserv

ing language, performing arts, crafts, and more. The next stop is the National Ainu Museum, which houses approximately 10,000 items, including clothing, tools, and crafts. Matsumoto Yoko has been a guide in Shiraoi Town for many years. Please take a look over there. This was the formal attire for women. This glass necklace is called "Tamasai." The Ainu obtained the glass beads through trade. Tamasai were worn by women and are said to be passed down from mother to daughter. This is the formal att

ire for men. The beautiful embroidery patterns reflect the aesthetic sense of the Ainu. This headdress is called Sapanpe and was worn during ceremonies. The men would wear this headdress made of grapevines on their heads, and here, there is a carving of a bear. They would adorn it with the shapes of their protective deities in the form of a bear's head, and in some regions, it could be a fox, an eagle, or something else. Can you tell us you, So overall, did you have a good experience here so far

? I think the most clear to me was how they treat nature with this sort of respect and how the importance of nature and to preserve and not to, you know, over hunt or over gather or they just making sure that nature will be here when when we are not so to say. So that is one thing which was which I really liked and I find quite interesting and nice to see the there are still people who cares about nature. After leaving Upopoy, the tour moved to a cafe called "Minapacise." In Ainu, it means "a ho

use where everyone laughs together." The shop owner, Tamura Naomi, treats the tour participants to Ainu cuisine for lunch. They are served Chepouhau, a vegetable soup with salmon, including potatoes, onions, and more. The seasoning includes salt and kombu kelp, with the addition of a wild vegetable called Pukusa at the end, adding a unique flavor. Pukusa is a highly nutritious mountain vegetable favored by the Ainu, often dried as a preserve. This is venison, a precious food source cherished by

the Ainu alongside salmon. Tamura Naomi began studying Ainu cuisine in her 40s. Even for those of us who have Ainu roots, there were many things we didn't know, like how we came to eat these kinds of foods. I began to hope that through food, people could have a starting point to learn about Ainu culture, understanding that the more you know, the more you realize how truly healthy it is for the body as well. That was part of why I started serving Ainu cuisine in the restaurant. How was the meal e

xperience here Ainu meal? First time. But I really loved it. I love their chopsticks, I love their rice and the soup, which is even a plates. So the plates for our each one of us, like it's different. So, I encourage everyone to come to Hokkaido and to enjoy this cute restaurant. Wild animals made an appearance in Shiraoi as well. A herd of male Hokkaido deer. Although the tour were in the middle of their meal, they rushed outside to catch a glimpse. It's a sight unique to the rich nature of Hok

kaido. Then began the Ainu embroidery experience, taught by Shimokawa Yae. The tour will attempt to make this design. You start sewing the protective charm from here. The key points are the Kirau, the antler-like parts at the beginning and end of the stitch. They are said to be a symbolic talisman to protect against disasters. You'll find these pointed antler shapes scattered throughout Ainu patterns. I haven’t been doing since I was a kid, so... A chain stitch, sewn at regular intervals. Over,

through, stab finger. Over, through, stab finger. It requires concentration and patience. Teaching embroidery together with Shimokawa Yae is Tamura Naomi 's mother, Tamura Hiroko. It makes me very happy that people who come from abroad are interested. I hope everyone learns about our traditions and embroidery. This is what Ainu culture is all about. Indraa Bold, a tourism consultant from Mongolia was also on the Ainu cultural tour. I think everyone who’d appreciate culture and tradition and inta

ngible heritages would be interested in going to see the Ainu culture. I think after COVID every society where the Mongolians or Japanese were going back to our cultural heritage because it really it's going back to our roots, appreciating again what we have, what has really helped communities to survive and I think we I wouldn't say thanks to COVID, but due to COVID, we really understood what is important in all the communities and societies that we have to cherish and carry on further. And I t

hink it's the family, it's the family orientation, it's the friendships, it's the kinship and I think in that respect, there is this new trend that is increasing globally. I think what was really interesting was how people who had heard about the AINU for the very first time, we're finding similarities with the indigenous peoples of their own home countries. And how this respect for nature and balance with nature can really affect the rest of the world in terms of philosophy. And I think this is

why it's more important than ever to preserve and protect indigenous cultures like the AINU. Visiting with the Ainu people and experiencing the vibrant culture, history and art of the Ainu firsthand certainly seemed to leave a lasting impression.