Settlements where Ainu people reside are referred to Ainu kotan villages. Approximately 120 people live in 36 residences in Akanko Lake Ainu Kotan Village, and even now the roots of Ainu culture have been preserved. At Akanko Lake Ainu Theater Ikor, the full impact of Ainu traditional dance and puppet shows unfolds. The Ainu traditional dance that can be watched here is an important legacy passed down from ancestors, and it is designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Hokkaido.
Visitors can learn about the Ainu people's lifestyle and culture through the centuries in the Ainu Lifestyle Memorial Hall Ponchise. In the Ainu language, "ponchise" means "little house," and the memorial hall is a replication of a private home in which a family of 4-5 Ainu people would live. Clothes and daily necessities are on display, allowing visitors to witness the knowledge and lifestyle of the Ainu people coexisting with the unforgiving nature.
In the village, there are also some 20-odd shops that sell unique folk-craft items. A diverse amount of folk-craft items can be found here, including creative pieces from global woodworkers and beautiful embroidery with Ainu patterns. There are also restaurants and coffee shops where both Hokkaido and Ainu cuisines can be enjoyed.
Derived from a lifestyle that coexists with nature, experience the Ainu culture at Akanko Lake Ainu Kotan Village.