Full Day Indigenous Ainu of Hokkaido and Jozankei

Overview

Available languages

English

8 hours

Mobile ticket

The Ainu Cultural Center is a real hidden gem. Tucked away in lush natural surroundings an hour or so outside of Sapporo, this center/museum is sure to please. It is very informative with tons of artifacts of The Ainu. The center is well curated and visitors are encouraged to hold and touch the many authentic Ainu handcrafts. The outdoor village with traditional handcrafted Ainu houses and canoes are very cool to experience as well. This is a “must go” sight for those interested in indigenous groups.

Your tour will continue on to nearby Jozankei Hot spring(Onsen) Village. There are 56 hot spring sources in Jozankei, concentrated around both the Tsukimibashi and Takayamabashi bridges along with The Toyohira River which flows throughout the village. The waters of most of these hot spring baths average temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degrees Celsius. As a member of this tour, you will experience a two hour hot spring bath at one of Jozankei’s most reputable hot spring hotels.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

All entry/admission tickets to each attraction/sightseeing spot

Transportation fee from Sapporo Station to all listed destinations and activities

English speaking tour guide

Lunch

Transportation prior and after the tour

What To Expect

AINU Cultural Center (Sapporo Pirka Kotan)

This tour will start at Sapporo Station in front of “Myomu”(The Circular Stone Structure) in front of the South Exit doors of Sapporo Station. Kindly meet here at exactly 9a.m. Your guide will be there to greet you. After brief introductions and smiles, we will start to embark on our wonderful tour starting at The Ainu Cultural Center. The tour will begin here at The Ainu Cultural Center. Your guide will take you through the 1 hour tour of the Ainu Center Museum(exhibition room). Here, you will learn of the lifestyle, history, and art of the Ainu people, the indigenous people who first settled Hokkaido and developed a unique culture. This facility is the first of its kind in Japan to focus on original inhabitants and allows visitors to actually feel, touch and experience first-hand traditional Ainu craftworks(over 300 items) made by Ainu artisans.

3 hours • Admission Included

Jozankei Onsen

After leaving The Ainu Cultural Center, you will be heading (by bus) to the very nearby quaint little hot spring village known as Jozankei. Jozankei is located within the lush green Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This area is characterized by topography and phenomena created by hundreds of years of volcanic activity.Thus, this volcanic activity has created numerous natural hot springs that dot the entire area of Jozankei Village. Upon arrival, your guide will show you around the area and make sure you see all the popular sights that Jozankei offers. These will include both the Jozankei Shrine and Temple, Gesen Park and footbath, Futami Park and Futami Tsuribashi Suspension Bridge. This guided walking tour of Jozankei is breathtaking any season of the year.

2 hours • Admission Included

Options

Full Day Indigenous Ainu of Hokkaido and Jozankei

Reviews

4.94

18 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Wonderful day trip
Michele C,
Jul 15, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Scott was an amazing guide and translator. We were able to really explore the Ainu Cultural Center! It was a great learning experience. I also enjoyed the foot bath! That was a great way to relax after exploring. A really great day in a beautiful area!
I had a lot of fun...
R M,
Feb 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00
I had a lot of fun exploring, and learning at the Ainu Cultural Center, and later wandering the gorgeous snowy onsen town of Jozankei. Scott, the tour guide, was incredibly friendly, well informed, and accommodating of my requests (I had a slight knee injury that slowed me down), imparting interesting little titbits of information about the places we visited, Hokkaido and Japan in general, including helpful advice about getting around and experiencing Japan. This tour is perfect for anyone looking for a day of relaxed sightseeing, with a well-researched and scheduled itinerary, that takes away the hassle of planning, and allows you to experience this part of Hokkaido from a slightly more local perspective than most. From a glimpse at incredible indigenous art and ingenuity, to picturesque bus routes (and bus stops), a traditional onsen lunch and a healing break at an outdoor footbath with a magical view of the snow, to trying for a little bit of good fortune at a shrine gatcha and so much more; it was a day well spent in Hokkaido.