National Ainu Museum

The museum will be the core facility of the Symbolic Space for Ethnic Coexistence (nicknamed "Upopoy"), and will be the first and northernmost national museum in Japan to focus on the history and culture of the indigenous Ainu people.

  • Cultural Spaces
  • A plaza-style exhibit that allows visitors to freely browse according to their interests, showcasing a variety of materials related to the history and culture of the Ainu people.

    A plaza-style exhibit that allows visitors to freely browse according to their interests, showcasing a variety of materials related to the history and culture of the Ainu people.

  • Introduction exhibit: In the corridor leading to the exhibition room, Video Production features people from around the world, including the Ainu, welcoming visitors and inviting them into the exhibition room.

    Introduction exhibit: In the corridor leading to the exhibition room, Video Production features people from around the world, including the Ainu, welcoming visitors and inviting them into the exhibition room.

  • Plaza Exhibition: A plaza-style display with no set recommended flow lines is used, and representative materials and works of Ainu culture are displayed in display cases arranged in a circle in the center of the exhibition room.

    Plaza Exhibition: A plaza-style display with no set recommended flow lines is used, and representative materials and works of Ainu culture are displayed in display cases arranged in a circle in the center of the exhibition room.

  • "Our Language" corner: A symbolic exhibit introducing oral literature is placed in the center of the exhibition room, with the motif of the hearth, which is the center of Ainu life.

    "Our Language" corner: A symbolic exhibit introducing oral literature is placed in the center of the exhibition room, with the motif of the hearth, which is the center of Ainu life.

  • Tempa Tempa Exhibit: A corner where you can experience Ainu culture through hands-on experience ("Tempa Tempa" means "touch me" in Ainu)*

    Tempa Tempa Exhibit: A corner where you can experience Ainu culture through hands-on experience ("Tempa Tempa" means "touch me" in Ainu)*

  • There are explanations by educators, and you can deepen your understanding of Ainu culture by going back and forth between the actual materials on display nearby.

    There are explanations by educators, and you can deepen your understanding of Ainu culture by going back and forth between the actual materials on display nearby.

  • A hands-on corner for parents and children, including preschoolers, will be set up inside the exhibition room, rather than in a separate room.

    A hands-on corner for parents and children, including preschoolers, will be set up inside the exhibition room, rather than in a separate room.

  • National Ainu Museum
  • Introduction exhibit: In the corridor leading to the exhibition room, Video Production features people from around the world, including the Ainu, welcoming visitors and inviting them into the exhibition room.
  • Plaza Exhibition: A plaza-style display with no set recommended flow lines is used, and representative materials and works of Ainu culture are displayed in display cases arranged in a circle in the center of the exhibition room.
  • "Our Language" corner: A symbolic exhibit introducing oral literature is placed in the center of the exhibition room, with the motif of the hearth, which is the center of Ainu life.
  • Tempa Tempa Exhibit: A corner where you can experience Ainu culture through hands-on experience ("Tempa Tempa" means "touch me" in Ainu)*
  • There are explanations by educators, and you can deepen your understanding of Ainu culture by going back and forth between the actual materials on display nearby.
  • A hands-on corner for parents and children, including preschoolers, will be set up inside the exhibition room, rather than in a separate room.

Photo: Forward Stroke inc. / *Photo courtesy of National Ainu Museum

About the Project

Overview It is the core facility of the Symbolic Space for Ethnic Coexistence (nicknamed Upopoy) built on the shores of Lake Poroto in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, and is Japan's first and northernmost national museum with the theme of the history and culture of the indigenous Ainu people. It consists of a basic exhibition room that introduces the basic content of Ainu history and culture under six themes: "Our Language," "Our World," "Our Life," "Our History," "Our Work," and "Our Exchanges," as well as a special exhibition room that holds exhibitions on a variety of themes, including the Ainu people, and a theater.
Issues/Themes The museum aims to present Ainu history and culture from a variety of perspectives, based on the museum's philosophy of "respecting the dignity of the Ainu as an indigenous people, promoting correct recognition and understanding of Ainu history and culture both domestically and internationally, and contributing to the creation and development of a new Ainu culture."
Space Solution/Realization The exhibits are told from the Ainu perspective, and the design incorporates patterns and motifs associated with Ainu culture. Ainu is used as the primary language for signs in the museum, and signs and explanatory panels use Ainu in katakana and romanized characters. In addition, the museum aims to promote understanding and respect for ethnic diversity by introducing Ainu culture from multiple angles, including the "present" and "regional" Video, through the "Tempa Tempa Exploration Exhibition," which allows visitors to learn about Ainu culture while having fun, and through a wealth of video footage.
Design for Environment Energy-saving design: The ceiling and base lighting inside the case can be dimmed via a tablet, allowing for appropriate lighting management and reducing operating energy.
Universal design: The signs and explanations are available in multiple languages, including Ainu, and are designed with universal design in mind. In addition, the experiential exhibits are not set up in a separate room, but are placed within the exhibition room as the "Tempa Tempa Exploration Exhibit," allowing both adults and children to enjoy the exhibits according to their interests and level of understanding.
Cultural property Preservation Planning: Airtight cases are used for display cases that require consideration of the display environment, and all display stands are made of materials that suppress organic acids and ammonia.

Basic Information

Client Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan Affairs/ The Foundation for Ainu Culture
Services Provided Basic Planning, Design, Layout: Tanseisha Co., Ltd.
Construction: Nitten Co., Ltd.
Our Team Creative Direction: Akihiko Wada
Planning: Yuko Onisawa, Hanae Zenno, Sachiko Sakiyama, Mieko Oki of Tansei Research Institute
Design, Layout: Masashi Koyama, Ryo Takai
Facility storage planning: Tansei Research Institute, Ltd. Yoshifumi Kobayashi, Hiroyuki Ichinose
Video system design: Tatsuro Shiota, Tansei Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Models, Molding: Hiroshi Nakai, Yasuhiro Yoshida
Project Management: Eiji Yamazaki, Yoshiki Morikawa, Yasuo Fujiwara
Awards 15th Kids Design Awards Excellence Award and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award
40th Display Industry Encouragement Award (Japan Display Industry Association Award)
Location Hokkaido
Open July, 2020
Website https://nam.go.jp/
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*The shared information and details of the project is accurate as of the date they were posted. There may have been unannounced changes at a later date.

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