Shinhidaka Ainu Culture Exchange Center Provides Free-Admission Hub for Ainu Transmission

Shinhidaka Town’s Ainu Culture Exchange Center, which opened on May 1, 2025 with support from the Ainu Policy Promotion Grant, serves as the town’s central hub for transmitting Ainu culture to future generations.

Facility composition

• Shakushain Memorial Hall: Dedicated to the Ainu leader Shakushain, active in the 17th century.
• Ainu Folk Museum: Displays and preserves everyday objects and cultural materials from the Shizunai area.
• Multi-function Community Hall: Ritual and experiential space, exhibition space and cultural exchange space.

Practical information

• Opening hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Multi-function Hall and Shakushain Memorial Hall available until 21:00 on request).
• Closed: Mondays, year-end and New Year, day after national holidays, and materials-organisation days.
• Admission: Free.
• Room rental: Available on prior application, with commercial-use surcharge of 20 times the base rate.

Why it matters

The centre consolidates what had previously been separate Shinhidaka facilities into one integrated visitor destination and adds a modern exhibition and community-use space. Together they anchor the eastern half of Hokkaido’s Ainu-heritage corridor along the Hidaka coast.

Source: Shinhidaka Town official website, updated April 7, 2026.