Learn about the traditional culture of Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido that has been deeply intertwined with salmon. During this activity you can use your five senses to watch, learn, experience, and even taste the salmon culture of Hokkaido! You will have a special chance to wear a native Ainu costume, taste traditional foods and take in the knowledge and history of Ainu.
1. Learn at a local activity center about the history of Ainu and salmon (around 50 minutes). A lecture about how the traditional lifestyle of Ainu has been deeply in connection with salmon. Making a recreation of traditional “cep keri” salmon shoes that Ainu used when hunting and gathering on mountains during winter. You can put the boots on and wear a traditional Ainu costume to feel how people lived their lives at the time.
2. Walk on the frozen surface of Lake Poroto with the salmon shoes and traditional costume (around 15 minutes). You can try yourself how it is like to walk with cep keri fish skin boots on snow and ice. This will make you understand on a deeper level the importance of salmon and the traditional knowledge of the Ainu people.
3. After returning to the activity center, you cook and eat salmon Ainu fusion cuisine (around 55 minutes). You can cook the fish over flames, enjoy the amazing smell and learn how to cook various salmon dishes including “cep ohaw” salmon soup. Then it is time to eat the Ainu style lunch with a modern twist!
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● Activity
Ainu and salmon culture experience (~ 120 min)
● Location
Taiken Kobo Koropokkuru (Activity Center Korpokkur) in Shiraoi town
● Activity fee
2 adults: 18,000 yen / person
3-5 adults: 15,000 yen / person
6-10 adults: 12,000 yen /person
● The price includes
Guide fee, materials, insurance, consumption tax
Lunch (Salmon roe, “chan chan yaki” grilled salmon with vegetables, “yama zuke” grilled salmon on a skewer, “cep ohaw” salmon soup, sweet “dango” dumplings and “inakibi gohan” rice with barnyard millet).
● Schedule
1. Lecture about Ainu culture and salmon (~ 50 min).
2. Walking on frozen Lake Poroto with salmon shoes and Ainu costume (~ 15 min).
3. Cooking session (~ 15 min).
4. Salmon lunch (~ 40 min).
※ Between 9:00 AM～ 5:00 PM (the latest starting time is 3:00 PM). Please tell us when a good time for you is!
● Conditions
Reservation has to be made at least 3 days in advance. 2-8 persons.
※ If the activity has to be cancelled due to bad weather, there is no cancellation fee (Please note that the customer has to pay possible repayment handling fees in case of bank transfer)