insights from frontier Japan

"Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto", the 19th facility in the nationwide Hoshino Resorts hot spring inn brand "KAI", opened on January 14th next to the Ainu culture revival hub "Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park". General Manager Endo Misato commented, "We want to show everyone the special qualities unique to Shiraoi."

On December 13, the Ainu began making ‘satcep’ (dried whole salmon), a traditional preserved food of the indigenous people, at the Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park, a hub for the revitalization of Ainu culture in the town of Shiraoi in central Hokkaido.　

On October 14th, a stream-walking and autumn foliage viewing tour to Shiraoi Falls, one of the ‘three famous waterfalls of Shiraoi’ was held in the Shiraoi River which flows through the town of Shiraoi in central Hokkaido. Participants enjoyed the changing autumn scenery as they walked slowly along the beautiful ‘green tuff’ riverbed formed by the accumulation of volcanic ash.

The Foundation for Ainu Culture manages the Ainu culture revival hub "Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park" (Shiraoi Town). In order to heighten awareness of ancient Ainu ceremonial dances that have been passed down through generations in various areas around Hokkaido, the Foundation has started inviting culture preservation societies from different areas to perform dances at Upopoy. Up through February of next year, culture preservation societies from various areas will teach about the characteristics and traditions of their areas through their dances.

Lighting ceremonies in lieu of the Olympic torch relay for the Tokyo Olympics were held without spectators on June 13 and 14 at the Ainu culture revival hub "Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park" in the Iburi region's town of Shiraoi and Kitasanjo Square (Akapla) in Chuo-ku, Sapporo.

The wood charcoal production and sales company Onishi Forestry, located in the Pacific Ocean adjacent town of Shiraoi in Central Hokkaido, is holding a "Takibi Cafe" in its "Bubetsu Forest Camping Field" on Saturdays and Sundays from March 6 to 21. Customers can enjoy a campfire while sipping coffee made with tree sap.

In January of this year, two foreign students from Mongolia joined the new Hokkaido Sakae High School sumo team that started last spring. According to the Sumo Division of the Hokkaido High School Physical Education Federation, this is the first time foreign students from Mongolia have joined a high school sumo team.

Shiraoi Town beef cattle ranch Yoshida Bokujo owner Mr. Yoshida shipped and entered Shiraoi beef in a beef cattle competition fair held in Obihiro City in November. He won the top award for the No. 1 position in all of Hokkaido.

The National Ainu Museum and Park (Upopoy) serves as a base for the revival of the culture of the Ainu, an indigenous people of Hokkaido. It opened on July 12 in Shiraoi Town, central Hokkaido. Upopoy means “singing (in a large group)” in the Ainu language.