Exhibition and Sales Event in Sapporo – March 14 (Sat) & 15 (Sun)
To introduce visitors to the Ainu crafts that have been handed down through generations in Nibutani, Biratori Town, Hokkaido, we will hold a special event at the Kita 3-jo Plaza of the Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway (Chi-Ka-Ho).
In addition to traditional crafts, the event will feature exhibitions and sales of products developed through this project as well as a wide range of works and items created by craft artists from Biratori Town. Newly developed items from this fiscal year will be available at a special 10% discount exclusively for customers purchasing them at the venue.
At the venue, visitors will also be able to watch live demonstrations of the production of the traditional crafts Nibutani Ita and Nibutani Attus. There will also be a wood-carving workshop led by young craft artists (free of charge, same-day reservation required).
In addition, Ainu craft artist Maki Sekine will perform live Ainu-pattern drawing, and visitors who make purchases will be eligible for special gifts depending on the purchase amount (available while supplies last).
Furthermore, the first 100 visitors each day who complete a short survey will receive a novelty gift.
We look forward to welcoming many visitors.
Event Information
“Ainu Crafts of Nibutani, Biratori – Passing on Tradition and Creating New Forms”
Dates & Times
March 14 (Sat), 2026: 11:00–17:30
March 15 (Sun), 2026: 10:00–16:30
Venue:
Sapporo Ekimae-dori Underground Walkway (Chi-Ka-Ho)
Kita 3-jo Intersection Plaza (West)
(Underground, Kita 3-jo Nishi 4-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
Organizer:
Biratori Town
Program
1. Exhibition and Sales of Developed Products
New items from the Uturano series—including bowls, large plates, bowls, and small plates—will be available, along with products from previous years.
Visitors who purchase the new items at the venue will receive a 10% discount.
2. Craft Demonstrations
Traditional Craft Nibutani Ita (Kaizawa Mamoru)
Traditional Craft Nibutani Attus (Kaizawa Miyuki)
3. Live Performance
Ainu Pattern Drawing (Sekine Maki)
Customers who spend 10,000 yen or more (excluding tax) on crafts or other items will receive a jute bag with an original Ainu-pattern drawing created live by Sekine Maki.
(Limited to the first 10 customers each day.)
4. Exhibition of Ainu Garments and the Attus Production Process
Ainu garments made in Nibutani using attus fabric and embroidery will be displayed.
The process of making attus from tree bark will also be presented with sample materials.
5. Wood-Carving Workshop
Participants will carve an Ainu pattern onto a coaster and take their finished work home.
Fee: Free
Duration: approx. 60–70 minutes
Capacity: 8 participants per session
Eligibility: Elementary school grade 4 and above
March 14 (Sat)
Reception from 11:00
Sessions: 11:30 / 13:30 / 15:30
March 15 (Sun)
Reception from 10:00
Sessions: 10:30 / 12:30 / 14:30
Participation tickets will be distributed at the reception desk each day.
Registration closes once the capacity is reached.
6. Sales of Crafts and Local Products
Traditional Nibutani Ainu crafts and folk tools will be available for purchase, along with modern items such as T-shirts and local products.
A special sale of embroidered Ainu garments is also planned.
Visitor Benefits – Shopping
[1] Ainu Pattern Tote Bag
Customers who spend 7,000 yen or more (excluding tax), including at least one craft item, will receive an Ainu-pattern tote bag.
(Limited to the first 20 customers each day.)
Tote bag size:
Body approx. W450 × H370 × D140 mm
Handle W30 × H600 mm
Capacity: 16 L
Material: cotton (10 oz)
Customers who spend 10,000 yen or more (excluding tax) may choose either gift [1] or [2]. Both cannot be received.
[2] Jute Bag with Original Drawing
Customers who spend 10,000 yen or more (excluding tax), including at least one craft item, will receive a jute bag featuring an original Ainu-pattern drawing created live by craft artist Maki Sekine.
(Limited to the first 10 customers each day.)
Jute bag size:
315 mm (H) × 300 mm (W) × 190 mm (D)
Handle length: 510 mm
The design will be left to the artist.
[3] Special Discount on New Items
Customers who purchase items from the 2025 Uturano series at the venue will receive a 10% discount.
As these items are not normally discounted, we encourage you to take this opportunity to purchase them.
Visitor Benefits – Participation
[1] Ainu-Pattern Strap
Visitors who complete a short web survey will receive an acrylic strap featuring an Ainu pattern.
(Limited to the first 100 participants each day.)
[2] SNS Follow Campaign
Visitors who follow the Nibutani Ainu Craft social media accounts—or follow them at the venue—will receive a small thank-you gift.
Simply show the staff the screen confirming that you follow the account.
Eligible accounts include the following:
Japanese: [ Facebook ] [ Instagram ] [ X ] [ Threads ]
English:[ Facebook ] [ Instagram ] [ X ] [ Threads ]
French: [ Facebook ] [ Instagram ] [ X ] [ Threads ]
All languages: [ YouTube ]
About the 2025 “Nibutani Ainu Craft” Collaboration Product Development
Tableware decorated with Ainu patterns (Mino ware)
From late September to October, six restaurants in Biratori Town participated in a campaign serving menu items using this tableware.
This event in Sapporo will mark the first public sales presentation of the products.
The Ainu patterns were designed by young Nibutani craft artists: Nishiyama Ryo, Hiramura Daiki, and Okamoto Tomoya.
For more details, please see the dedicated page.
