National Ainu museum unveiled in Japan's northernmost prefecture

A traditional Ainu dance is performed at the National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, on Tuesday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

SAPPORO -- The National Ainu Museum and Park, also known as Upopoy, was unveiled to the residents of Shiraoi, Hokkaido, on Tuesday.

The national facility dedicated to the history and culture of the Ainu indigenous people was scheduled to open on April 24, but the date was postponed twice due to the spread of the new coronavirus. Private viewings for residents were organized instead.

In the Ainu language, upopoy means "singing (in a group)."

A traditional Ainu dance is performed at the National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, on Tuesday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

On Tuesday, about 50 people visited the facility from 9 a.m., including Tadashi Kato, executive director of the Ainu Association of Hokkaido, Shiraoi Mayor Yasuhiko Toda and neighborhood association officials. They stayed apart from each other while looking at exhibits in the museum and viewing traditional dances outside.

Previews will be held every day through Sunday. The date of the facility's official opening has not been decided.

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