On Tuesday, November 3, 2026 (a national holiday), Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi, Hokkaido will hold its annual free admission day. In keeping with the spirit of "Education and Culture Week" (教育・文化週間), admission to Upopoy is free for the day so that more people can deepen their understanding of and interest in Ainu culture.
Programs will also run more often than usual, making it a day to learn about Ainu culture while enjoying it with all five senses.
Free Admission Day Details
- Date and time: November 3, 2026 (Tuesday, national holiday), 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Free of charge:
- Upopoy admission fee
- National Ainu Museum viewing fee
- Not free: Parking fees and some experience programs
Special Exhibition on View
The National Ainu Museum is currently showing its 12th special exhibition, "Kosonte and Ruunpe" (コソンテとルウンペ), from Saturday, September 19 to Monday, November 23, 2026 (national holiday).
Programs Related to the Special Exhibition
- Special gallery talk by the staff in charge of the exhibition: 10:30 AM
- Chatty gallery talk for children: 2:00 PM
- Make a rusa (a plate made of grass) out of yarn: 10:00 AM
Special Programs at Uekari Chise
At Uekari Chise (ウエカリ チセ), the experience and exchange hall, the following special programs are scheduled.
- Traditional Ainu dance performance by the Akan Ainu Cultural Preservation Society (阿寒アイヌ民族文化保存会) and the Shiranuka Ainu Cultural Preservation Society (白糠アイヌ文化保存会): 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM
- スクㇱ: 1:00 PM
More Programs Than Usual
To help more visitors enjoy the day, programs will run more times and with larger capacities. With more than 20 types of programs available, first-time visitors can try a wide range of them, while repeat visitors can focus on the programs they could not experience last time.
For more details, see the special event page on the official website: https://ainu-upopoy.go.jp/lp/muryoukaihou-2026/
About Upopoy
Upopoy opened in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, in 2020 as a hub for the revival and creation of Ainu culture. It consists of the National Ainu Museum, the first national museum in Hokkaido; the National Ethnic Harmony Park (国立民族共生公園), a hands-on field museum where visitors experience Ainu culture with all five senses; and a memorial facility (慰霊施設) that enables the Ainu people to hold dignified memorial services. On the shore of Lake Poroto, surrounded by rich nature, visitors can touch and experience Ainu culture and history in many ways.
Visitor Information
- Address: 2-3 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi-cho, Shiraoi-gun, Hokkaido 059-0902
- Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Shiraoi Station. About 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport by expressway or train.
- Admission (tax included): Adults ¥1,200, high school students ¥600, junior high school students and younger free. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more. Paid experience programs and fees for special exhibitions at the museum are not included.
- Opening hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (may vary by season)
- Closed: Mondays, December 28 to January 4, 2027, and February 27 to March 8. If a Monday is a national holiday, the closure moves to the next weekday. Special opening days may apply.
- Opened: July 12, 2020
- Official website: https://ainu-upopoy.jp/
