Ainu Cultural Experience (3.0 hrs)
To learn about the Ainu culture, visit the local museum at Kussharo Kotan (“kotan” means “village” in Ainu) that exhibits the Ainu people’s lifestyle in the olden days in the region. Then, to experience the Ainu culture up close and personal, you will meet and be able to chat with a local Ainu elder living in the village with his Japanese wife. They will offer a traditional Ainu arts & crafts workshop in their cozy studio giving you the opportunity to try either wood carving or embroidery where you can make your own one-of-a-kind souvenir!
*You will need to choose one of these experiences.
| [Fee] | JPY 6,000 / person (2-4 guests) JPY 8,000 / person (1 guest) |
| [Date] | May – November |
| [Time] | 9:00 – 12:00 / 13:00－16:00 (time negotiable) |
| [Meeting Place] | Kussharo Kotan |
Ainu Museum & Old Ainu Hunting Place (3.0 hrs)
To learn about the Ainu culture, visit the local museum at Kussharo Kotan (“kotan” means “village” in Ainu) that exhibits the Ainu people’s lifestyle in the olden days in the region. Then drive to Wakoto Peninsula which is one of the old Ainu hunting places, and hike the circuit trail in the small peninsula. Once a volcanic island, this peninsula is still a site of high geothermal activity. Fumaroles called Oyakotsu Jigoku fume aggressively on the peninsula’s northern tip. The giant Katsura tree on the trail is also a highlight.
| [Hiking] | Elevation Gain: 20 m (66 ft) Distance : approximately 3.0 km (1.9 mi) |
| [Fee] | JPY 6,000 / person (2-4 guests) JPY 8,000 / person (1 guest) |
| [Date] | May – October |
| [Time] | 9:00 – 12:00 / 13:00－16:00 (time negotiable) |
| [Meeting Place] | Kussharo Kotan (End at Wakoto Peninsula) |
Ainu Cultural Experience in Winter (2.0 hrs)
To experience the Ainu culture up close and personal, you will meet and be able to chat with a local Ainu elder living in the village with his Japanese wife. They will offer a traditional Ainu arts & crafts workshop in their cozy studio giving you the opportunity to try either wood carving or embroidery where you can make your own one-of-a-kind souvenir!
*You will need to choose one of these experiences.
| [Fee] | JPY 5,000 / person (2-4 guests) JPY 7,000 / person (1 guest) |
| [Date] | December – April |
| [Time] | 9:00 – 11:00 / 13:00－15:00 (time negotiable) |
| [Meeting Place] | Kussharo Kotan |
Please note:
- For some tours, the meeting place and the place where the tour ends are different. That means, you need to have your own car during the tour. However, we will be able to pick you up or drop you off at your accommodation within the town of Teshikaga, but please contact us in advance to make arrangements for this.
- Please pay in CASH (Japanese Yen) on the day of the tour.
- Please refer to the Terms and Conditions and FAQ before you book.
If you would like to combine the Ainu Culture Tour and Hiking Tour, we can arrange it for you as a one-day tour. Just fill out your request as noted in the Contact Us section.