Indigenous experiences in

JAPAN

Shiraoi, Hokkaido

Explore Ainu history at Japan’s northernmost museum

The Upopoy National Ainu Museum and Park is located on the shores of Hokkaido’s beautiful Lake Poroto. This area is just one of a handful of locations on the island that are home to the Ainu, Japan’s only legally recognised Indigenous people (Okinawa’s Ryukyuan people aren’t acknowledged as such). They have a long history in northern Japan and on the Sea of Okhotsk islands, and they were also the first settlers on Hokkaido. Indeed, there has been a kotan (village) on this lakeshore for generations.

Today, Poroto is an important gateway for visitors to understand the Ainu’s rich and living traditions. Through the museum’s design, exhibits and activities – from cookery classes to dance and music performances – you can get a better overview of Ainu culture, which most visitors will know little about. As such, this is a great primer before you head out into Hokkaido, the traditional Ainu homeland.

More information: ainu-upopoy.jp

Words Rebecca Hallett

Akan Kotan, Hokkaido

Visit an Ainu settlement

One of the largest Ainu settlements on Hokkaido is found on the shore of Lake Akan, in the east of the island. Today, it’s an important centre for learning about Ainu culture. And while it can sometimes make it feel a little like an open-air museum or gift shop, it’s also an expression of the Ainu people’s determination to maintain, celebrate and evolve their culture.

Alongside shops selling wood carvings, embroidery and mukkuri (mouth harps), you’ll find the exceptional Akanko Ainu Theatre, where ceremonial performance is blended with modern dance and digital art to create remarkable productions that immerse you in ancient Ainu stories.

The kotan (village) is the starting point for the Kamuy Lumina illuminated night walks, introducing you to the Ainu’s many kamuy (gods). You can also join one of the Anytime, Ainutime cultural tours, which typically focus on giving a background to the lake, the forest and traditional Ainu crafts, but also include a chance to try some Ainu cuisine.

More information: akanainu.jp

Words Rebecca Hallett

TAIWAN

Dulan, Taitung County

Dance at an Amis music festival

The village of Dulan, on the coast of south-eastern Taiwan, is home to the Indigenous Amis people. Visitors here can take a walking tour to learn about their traditions, craft-making and traditional foraging – the Amis view the ‘weeds that others look down on’ as treasures. Villagers can show you how to identify tasty edible plants in the wild, then cook them according to the recipes of their Elders. Afterwards, you will gather at the foot of Dulan Mountain to eat together from coconut bowls. It’s a unique experience.

Every year in mid-November, Dulan hosts the Amis Music Festival to celebrate the culture and arts of Taiwan’s Indigenous peoples. Different Tribes and representatives from local areas and abroad are invited to participate, making it a lively event. But it’s not the only draw, and in recent years the area has become popular with surfers. For an introduction to the Amis of Dulan and other communities in Taiwan, join guide Cheryl Robbins (specialty-tourstaiwan@gmail.com) for a deep dive.

More information: atolan-style.com

Words Yvonne Gordon