A visit to Asahikawa City Museum presents a comprehensive overview of the lifestyles of the indigenous groups living on Hokkaido island. The Ainu people are descendants of a tribe of hunter-gatherers that lived in Japan from 1400 to 1700. They inhabit Hokkaido and areas of Russia, including the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. View the information in the Asahikawa City Museum to learn about the evolution of the Ainu, see examples of their homes and understand how they coexist with nature.
Explore the permanent exhibition spreading across the museum’s two floors. Most displays have information signs in Japanese, although a few descriptive pages in English are available at the reception area. Browse Ainu clothing, hunting tools, jewelry and artwork, among other valuable artifacts. Find examples of the plant life of Hokkaido alongside explanations of the island’s geology and ecosystems.
Re-creations of chise, which are traditional bamboo grass houses, show how Ainu people lived historically. The houses feature a fireplace close to the main entrance and a window on the east side for the gods to enter the dwelling.
Look for the wooden barracks of the tondenhei, who were farmer-soldiers recruited in the late 1800s to defend Japan’s northernmost border. Positioned next to the houses and barracks are realistic models that show activities such as blacksmithing, salmon fishing and food preservation. Move forward in time to see exhibits about life in Asahikawa during the Showa 30s period after World War II.
Finish your visit with a stop at the museum shop. Here you can purchase books and souvenirs related to the Ainu people and Hokkaido island.
Located in Crystal Park, the museum is about a 10-minute walk from central Asahikawa and Asahikawa Station. If you drive, park for free at the adjacent Asahikawa Taisetsu Arena.
Asahikawa City Museum is open daily, except for the second and fourth Mondays of the month. There is an admission fee ask for discounts for students and groups of 20 or more visitors. An additional fee may apply for special exhibitions ask at the reception area for details.
