The Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum stands out as one of the most comprehensive museums dedicated to Ainu culture. Nibutani is revered as a sacred place for the Ainu people and is renowned for its rich historical significance.
Visitors can gain a deep understanding of Ainu culture here.
From Sapporo, it takes approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes by car via the Hokkaido Expressway, or 2 hours and 30 minutes via the NO Expressway. Alternatively, you can take the toll-free Hidaka Expressway route from Sapporo to Tomakomai Higashi, which costs about 1,360 yen. Another option is to travel via Route 36 from Sapporo to Numanohata and then onto the free Hidaka Expressway at Numanohata Higashi. In either case, you must exit at Hidaka Tomikawa, and it’s an additional 30 minutes to reach the museum from there.
Opened every day from April 16 to November 15
- 9:00 – 16:30
Closed from December 16 to January 15
- because of preparation and settings
Opened from November 16 to April 15, closed on Monday
- 9:00 – 16:30
Access
- 1 hour and 50 minutes From Sapporo by Expressway
- Hokkaido Expressway=>Hidaka Expressway(Free)=>Get out at Hidaka-Tomikawa IC=>Route237 to Biratori(turn left).
Link site
This website is for a guesthouse located in Nibutani, and reading the ABOUT Ainu page here provides a deep understanding of the local history. It’s a wonderful site, and the pages can be read in English as well.
The museum’s entrance floor exhibits the history of Nibutani alongside Japanese and East Asian histories.
Unfortunately, most of the museum’s explanations are only available in Japanese. Efforts should be made to introduce multilingual support.
Displaying numerous items such as clothing, household goods, and more. These exhibits are quite fascinating.
Typical Ainu patterns.
Ainu needlework patterns on their clothing are entirely unique compared to Japanese culture.
Ainu dugout canoe.
You can ride on a canoe.
There are many crafts and house wares.
There are many Chises, typical Ainu house and their unique facilities.
There is Nibutani Dam behind the museum. Also the Sarugawa river museum is here. It shows the history of Sarugawa river and Nibutani Dam.
Nibutani Dam.
There are many wild bird such as heron and sea eagle.
This is a nice and beautiful place to stay. There are some free rental bicycles, so you can go other sight spots.
This is worth visiting in Hokkaido, real Ainu holly place.
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