February 7 (Sat) – Nibutani Kotan DAY: Winter

We are pleased to announce Nibutani Kotan Day, an event that brings together the many attractions of Nibutani in Biratori Town.
Following the event held last July, this winter edition offers seasonal activities and the chance to enjoy the museum and the kotan in a magical nighttime atmosphere.

On the day of the event, visitors can enjoy free admission to the Biratori Town Ainu Culture Museum, traditional games, woodcarving and horse-drawn sled experiences, Ainu language workshops, and many other special programs that are rarely available. In the evening, you can also take in the幻想的な winter scenery of the illuminated kotan.

This is a fun event for the whole family, so we warmly invite you to join us!

Nibutani Kotan Day: Winter
Date & Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026, 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Location: Around Nibutani Kotan (Nibutani, Biratori Town, Hokkaido)
Notes: Major facilities are open until 8:00 PM. Biratori Onsen Yukara is open until 9:00 PM.

［Daytime at the Kotan］
Rubber Boots Hockey Tournament (community event) / Free venison soup and cookies / Stamp rally / Penalty shot challenge / Hands-on programs (wood-carved coasters, horse-drawn sled rides, children’s traditional games, stone pendants, Ainu language learning)

［Nighttime at the Kotan］
LED candle lighting along the promenade / Night Museum / Animal silhouette light-up / Yukar (epic tales) and storytelling

Opening Hours and Programs by Facility
［1. Saru River Historical Museum］Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Free admission
- Curator’s guided tour of the permanent exhibition (2:00–2:30 PM)
- Stone key holder workshop (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

［2.Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum］Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Curator’s talk: “Animals and the Wisdom of Daily Life”
① 11:00–11:30 AM / ② 3:00–3:30 PM
- Coloring activity (10:00 AM – 8:00 PM)
- Ainu language learning sessions
① 1:00–1:30 PM / ② 4:00–4:30 PM
- Night Museum worksheet distribution: 5:00–6:30 PM Commemorative gifts for completed worksheets (limited quantity)
- Animal silhouette light-up: 4:00–8:00 PM

［3. Ainu Culture Information Center / Nibutani Craft Museum］Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Woodcarving experience (500 yen) Registration: ① 10:00–10:30 AM / ② 1:00–1:30 PM
- Try-on Ainu traditional clothing / Commemorative photos
- Video screening: International Indigenous Peoples Forum 2025 (looped, approx. 20 min) 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM
- Tasting of venison ohaw (miso soup) from 2:00 PM (while supplies last)
- Ainu language mini booklets (7 types, 50 copies each)
- Kaeka plant dyeing experience: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

［4.Tu cise］
- Yukar and storytelling: 4:30–5:00 PM

［5.Kotan / Promenade］
- LED candle lighting: 4:00–8:00 PM

［6.Sinepesancise］ Hours: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM / 1:00–2:30 PM
- Piyapa cookies made with millet flour / Free multigrain samples *Limited to 100 sets

［7.Takumi no Kobo (Craftspeople’s Workshop)］ Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Live demonstrations of traditional crafts

［8. Ainu Crafts and Heritage Center “Urespa”］Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Discounts on hands-on programs
- Stamp rally (prizes limited to 100)
- Explanation of Nibutani Ainu Craft Project成果 and distribution of artisan cards

［9. Around Lake Nibutani］
- Rubber Boots Hockey Tournament on Lake Nibutani: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Advance registration required)
- Hockey penalty shot challenge: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM *Hit the target to win a prize!
- Ainu children’s traditional games ① 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM / ② 1:00–2:30 PM
- Horse-drawn sled rides ① 10:30–11:30 AM / ② 1:00–2:00 PM
- Operation depends on the condition of the horses

［10. Iwor Cultural Exchange Center］ Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Video screening *A 21-minute film (looped) on passing Ainu culture on to the next generation

［11. Biratori Onsen Yukara］ Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Last admission 8:30 PM)
- 100 yen off admission fee or one free bottle of tomato juice (Show the flyer or its digital version to receive the offer)

［Food Trucks］
- Pinsuke (cheese hotteok, Korean food, hot drinks)
- Sakana Rokuichi (mixed noodles, king crab rice, grilled squid, pork soup, and more)
- Crepe Giraffe (crepes, strawberry milk, and more)
* Menus are subject to change.

A PDF version of the flyer with the same information is available at the link below.

Biratori Town Ainu Policy Promotion Division page