A Cultural Journey to Experience Ainu Wisdom and Lifestyle

Listening to the stories of the Ainu people, the wisdom of coexisting with the forest, lakes, and animals resonates deeply within. At any time and in any place, Ainu culture welcomes you.

Maeda Ippoen has been dedicated to preserving the forests of Lake Akan. The third-generation owner, Ms. Mitsuko Maeda, provided her private land free of charge to facilitate the relocation of the Ainu people to the shores of Lake Akan in order to protect their way of life and culture. This marked the beginning of the present-day Ainu Kotan.

Life here embodies a coexistence lifestyle where nature, people, and animals live closely together. This land, where the divine is found in all things and reverence and gratitude for nature are nurtured as philosophy and spirituality, is a space where Ainu wisdom and beliefs continue to thrive.

Anytime, Ainutime! is a special tour that divides Ainu culture into three themes: forests, lakes, and craftsmanship, with the Ainu people themselves serving as guides and storytellers. This initiative connects the inherited culture and spirit to future generations, while also linking it to the creation of new values in the modern era. Visitors can encounter unique stories and experience the profound bond woven by the nature and culture of Lake Akan that can only be found here.