Visiting Upopoy from The Windsor Hotel Toya | Experience the Charm and History of Ainu Culture at Lake Toya, Hokkaido

Located in Toyako Town, Hokkaido, the luxury resort The Windsor Hotel Toya, Vignette Collection by IHG offers a unique opportunity to deeply explore Ainu culture at Upopoy (National Ainu Museum and Park), along with an exquisite stay amidst the lush natural surroundings of the Lake Toya area.

The Windsor Hotel Toya provides a premium hospitality experience in harmony with abundant nature. Among its highlights is the immersive Ainu cultural experience, gaining increasing attention in recent years.
In particular, the complex facility “Upopoy (National Ainu Museum and Park)” in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido—including the National Ainu Museum—is a field museum where visitors can learn extensively about Ainu culture and is highly recommended for travelers.
Upopoy is approximately a 40-minute drive from New Chitose Airport via the Dōō Expressway, located en route to Lake Toya. From Upopoy to The Windsor Hotel Toya, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car.

◼️ The Center for the Revival and Preservation of Ainu Culture

Opened in 2020 in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido, Upopoy is a national cultural facility where visitors can comprehensively learn about the history and culture of the Ainu people. The name “Upopoy” means “singing place” in the Ainu language and integrates a museum, cultural exchange center, and memorial site.
Established to promote the revitalization of Ainu culture and foster social understanding, Upopoy displays important cultural heritage and traditional crafts. It also offers performances of traditional Ainu arts and activities to disseminate the Ainu language.

Spanning approximately 10 hectares, the site features a hall showcasing traditional performing arts such as the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage “Ainu Traditional Dance,” traditional Ainu dwellings called Chise, and the National Ainu Museum where visitors can explore Ainu history and culture.
Various hands-on programs are available within the facility, including traditional cuisine experiences, musical instrument workshops, and woodcarving and embroidery featuring Ainu patterns.
The oral literature performance program “Neusar An Ro” held at Poro Chise offers a unique opportunity to hear stories passed down in different regions while gathered around an irori hearth. This interactive experience with Ainu people provides valuable cultural learning.

A day trip to Upopoy from Toyako Town while staying at The Windsor Hotel Toya is entirely feasible.
Combining the hotel’s refined environment with the cultural insights offered at Upopoy creates a travel experience that brings visitors closer to Hokkaido’s nature and heritage.

◼️ Growing Interest in Ainu Culture Fueled by “Golden Kamuy”

In recent years, Ainu culture has attracted widespread attention both in Japan and internationally. One significant catalyst is the popular manga and anime series “Golden Kamuy,” which depicts Ainu culture, language, and customs with detailed accuracy, sparking a surge of interest worldwide.

Set in Hokkaido during the Meiji era, “Golden Kamuy” follows protagonists who engage deeply with Ainu cultural traditions. The series’ success has increased visitor numbers to cultural facilities like Upopoy, contributing to the preservation and appreciation of Ainu heritage.
Staying at The Windsor Hotel Toya affords guests a direct connection to this culturally rich and topical experience.

◼️ The Appeal of Cultural Experiences Centered on The Windsor Hotel Toya

The Windsor Hotel Toya is situated in Toyako Town, surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes.
Guests can enjoy the hotel’s premium service and hot spring amenities while visiting Upopoy during the day to immerse themselves in Ainu culture. The cultural experience, integrated with the natural beauty of Lake Toya and its surroundings, promises unforgettable memories for all visitors.

◼️ Discover the Beauty and History Embedded in Ainu Patterns at the Hotel Shopping Mall

The Windsor Hotel Toya’s on-site shopping mall offers a wide range of products featuring traditional Ainu patterns that symbolize Ainu culture. Popular items include paper cut art, clothing, accessories, engraved glassware, and protective pendants—perfect as souvenirs or special gifts.
Of particular note are offerings from “ToyToyya” and “North One Glass Jewelry.”

◼️ About ToyToyya — A Name Meaning “Soul of the Earth,” Reflecting Harmony Between Nature and Culture

The name “ToyToy” means “soul of the earth” in the Ainu language, embodying a deep respect for nature’s blessings and the power of the land. Products from ToyToyya express reverence for the relationship between humans and nature as well as unseen spiritual forces through traditional Ainu patterns.
ToyToyya offers accessories, clothing, and crafts that incorporate these traditional motifs, allowing contemporary lifestyles to embrace Ainu cultural values. Additionally, ToyToyya operates an online shop, enabling customers nationwide to access their products even if they cannot visit Toyako Town in person.

◼️ North One Glass Jewelry — Handmade Accessories Inspired by the Earth

North One Glass Jewelry is a brand inspired by the natural beauty of Hokkaido. Each accessory is meticulously handcrafted, expressing the region’s powerful landscapes and Ainu natural perspectives.
The exquisitely detailed designs evoke Hokkaido’s unique environment and Ainu worldview, making them highly popular gifts for loved ones.
Exclusive limited-edition glass jewelry featuring Ainu patterns can be viewed and purchased at The Windsor Hotel Toya’s shopping mall.

◼️ Upopoy | Experience the Charm and History of Ainu Culture in Hokkaido

While staying in Toyako Town, Hokkaido, guests can explore the culture of the indigenous Ainu people at Upopoy, which is conveniently accessible from The Windsor Hotel Toya. Amid the growing interest sparked by Golden Kamuy, this cultural journey gains even greater significance. Enjoy a special trip where Hokkaido’s rich natural environment and historical culture blend harmoniously in the Lake Toya area.