Experience Ainu culture as it exists today in this exploration of the contemporary lives of this indigenous people of northern Japan.
Historically, members of the Ainu community were not able to fully express their distinct culture, however a movement to celebrate and sustain the Ainu language, textiles, crafts and traditions continues to gather pace, in particular among younger members of the Ainu community.
Ainu Stories is a collaboration with the people of Biratori, an area located in the Saru River basin in southern Hokkaido. Through intimate video interviews and displays of contemporary Ainu works, the exhibition explores four central themes of contemporary Ainu culture: the critically endangered language; society and the preservation of the environment; Ainu textiles, song and dance; and woodcarving and tourism.
The exhibition also reveals surprising historical links between the UK and Biratori, telling the stories of British travellers who forged lasting relationships with the Ainu.
Ainu Stories is complemented by a rich events programme, covering dance, language, cuisine, policy and craft, and featuring guests from Biratori throughout the exhibition period.
A gallery of 5 items.
Booking tickets
Entry to our Gallery for this exhibition is free and booking is encouraged, but drop-ins are also welcome. Tickets are released on a weekly basis, two weeks in advance of the ticket date.
Before making your booking, you might like to note the following:
- The slot on your ticket indicates your chosen arrival time. Please arrive within this slot, as we may not be able to guarantee immediate entry for guests who arrive late.
- Japan House London closes at 20:00 Monday to Saturday and 18:00 on Sunday. Please take this into account when booking your arrival time.
- Our booking system is based on guests spending approximately 40 minutes in the Gallery. There may be occasions when guests are asked to wait outside the Gallery for a short while in order to maintain the appropriate number of visitors inside.
- Guests will also be able to access the Ground Floor, including the Shop, the Stand and our other cultural installations (tickets are not required here).
- If you have any problems booking your ticket, please contact us with your preferred date and time.
Rucksacks are not permitted in the Gallery. Items up to cabin bag size (55cm x 40cm x 20cm) can be left in our cloakroom.
Your privacy is important to us. We will use your information to process and manage your booking. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information on how Japan House London processes your personal information.
Large print guide
A large print guide to Ainu Stories is available for your visit.
You can also download a digital large print guide (PDF).