The Ainu language is in its own language family, and as a 'language isolate' (with no known related languages) is distinct from Japanese. In the past it has largely been passed down by word of mouth and has been central to the transmission of Ainu culture. Today, Sekine Kenji leads the children’s Ainu language classes in the Nibutani Community Centre each week. The language is learned through games, songs, written exercises and dances. Join a series of Ainu language events held at Japan House Lo

Gea group visited the Ainu Museum. We even got to experience traditional Ainu attire. Ainu people are the indigenous people of Hokkaido, Japan, as well as parts of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands. They lived in Hokkaido long before modern Japanese settlers. Their way of life is deeply connected to nature—fishing, hunting, and gathering They have their own language, beliefs, clothing, music, and traditions They believe natural elements like animals, rivers, and mountains have spirits. | G.E.A