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The Ainu were the indigenoue people of northern Japan. Many of their descendants still live on the island of Hokkaido.
Ainu culture is said to have emerged some 600 years ago. The Ainu people, who in the past lived mainly in Hokkaido and neighboring regions, subsisted on foods from the mountains and the sea, and developed a rich culture through interaction with neighboring peoples.
Later, when other Japanese settled in Hokkaido, the Ainu began to be assimilated. Now, various initiatives are underway to preserve their unique culture.
In Shiraoi, where many Ainu still live, a project is currently underway to recreate a traditional Ainu ecosystem and resource area called an “iwor.” In addition to transmitting Ainu culture, Shiraoi's valued cultural heritage, the project includes installing Ainu-related research facilities.
