1 Best Performing Art in Hokkaido, Japan

Akanko Ainu Theatre Ikor

From late April to October there are excellent traditional dance performances or puppet shows four or five times a day starting at 11 am and lasting about 30 minutes. The venue's seating faces a wall that's open to the outside, which gives the performances a dynamic natural background. The 9 pm show includes fire performances from the Iomante (a traditional ceremonial bear sacrifice that was once a part of Ainu village life—an actual bear is no longer sacrificed). Performances cost ¥1,080. During the day, there are also craft workshops available.