Biratori Town

The center for the promotion of Ainu culture in Biratori. The hall contains examples of Nibutani-ita (wooden trays) and Nibutani-attus (woven fabric made from tree bark), which became the first objects from Hokkaido to be officially designated as traditional craft products of Japan by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2013. The center also has rare books for sale and offers woodcarving and embroidery workshops.

Address: 61-6 Nibutani, Biratori-cho, Saru-gun
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Closed: New Year’s holiday (December 31 – January 5)
Price: Free entry
Phone: 01457-2-3299
Remarks: Parking available, accessible restroom available

Curated by Shigeru Kayano, this museum displays over 1,000 items collected over 40 years. The exhibits include everyday items and works from the Ainu and other indigenous peoples from around the world. Discover the richness of philosophies and beliefs reflected in different ways of life.

Address: 79 Nibutani, Biratori-cho
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:30pm
Closed: No fixed holidays (please call the curator on 01457-2-3295 in advance between December and March)
Price: Adult (ages 16 and over): 400 yen, Child (ages 6-15): 150 yen, Group (20 people or more): 350 yen per adult, 100 yen per child
Phone: 01457-2-3215

This museum’s collection includes an exhibit on the excavation of the remains of chasi (hilltop fortifications), dioramas showing how the area has changed over time and items excavated from the Nibutani Site and other archeological sites in Biratori. Enjoy learning about the nature of the Saru River and its relationship with the people in the area and take in seasonal scenery from the observation deck gallery.

Address: 227-2 Nibutani, Biratori-cho
Opening hours: 9:00am to 4:30pm
Closed: Mondays (or the next business day if Monday is holiday), New Year’s holiday (December 30 - January 5)
Price: Free admission
Phone: 01457-2-4085, Fax: 01457-2-4086

Neil Gordon Munro was a British archeologist and anthropologist who moved to Nibutani to study the way of life of the Ainu people. In addition to his research, he also dedicated himself to volunteering as a doctor over the course of his lifetime. After his death in 1942, his former residence and practice was preserved in his memory. It has since been donated to Hokkaido University and is used for research into the culture of northern peoples.

Location: Aza Nibutani, Biratori-cho

Cip-sanke means “boat lowering” in the Ainu language and is a ceremony for launching vessels made using ancient techniques. It is a traditional event held at the Saru River and is an enduring example of the Ainu way of life. Each year, large numbers of visitors join in the Cip-sanke that takes place on the Sunday after the Obon holiday in August.

Location: Nibutani (Saru River area)

Nibutani-attus is a textile woven from yarn made of the internal skin of the bark of Ulmus laciniata, or lobed elm, and other trees that grow in the forests of the Sarugawa river basin. It is distinguished in particular by the twist given to the yarn.Nibutani-attus is characterized by its excellence in waterproofness and breathability, as well as durability, a rare feature for natural fabrics, as well as its unique texture. The textiles are often manufactured into Kimono, Hanten short coat, Obi belts, and small articles.

Nibutani-ita is a flat, shallow tray made of wood, whose manufacture is a tradition has been passed down since ancient times in the area around the Sarugawa River in Hokkaido Prefecture. Nibutani-ita is characterized by its spiral Moreunoka patterns, and Ramuramunoka carved fish-scale patterns, which are designs unique to the Ainu people.

A shrine with a long history that was founded with the enshrining of the statue of Minamoto no Yoshitsune in 1799 by Juzo Kondo, who had been ordered to explore Hokkaido. The shrine is revered by the townspeople and is particularly busy during hatsumode (the first Shinto shrine visit of year) and the Reitaisai Festival, which is held every August.

Location: Honcho, Biratori-cho
Phone: 01457-2-2432
Remarks: Parking available

The Yoshitsune Museum displays materials relating to Minamoto no Yoshitsune, a legendary figure in Hokkaido who was also known by the Ainu as hankan kamuy (“spirit-deity of judgment”). The valuable materials in the museum allow visitors to immerse themselves in ancient epics.

Location: Honcho, Biratori-cho
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Closed: Mondays (contact in advance required between December and March)
Price: Adult (ages 15 and over): 200 yen, Child (ages 14 and under): 100 yen
Remarks: Parking available

Held between August 14 and 16, the Reitaisai Festival is a traditional event held at the Yoshitsune Shrine. During the festival, participants dress in white and carry a mikoshi (portable shrine). Biratori comes to life during this summer event, with various stalls and events such as children’s sumo wrestling and bon-odori dancing held inside the shrine grounds.

Location: Yoshitsune Shrine

This museum’s exhibition tells the story of the former JNR Tomiuchi Line through railway equipment and models of the inside of Furenai Station. A D51 steam locomotive and passenger cars are on display in the park and function as Rider Houses, low-cost accommodation designed for use by touring motorcyclists.

Location: Next to Furenai Post Office, Furenai-cho, Biratori-cho
Opening hours: (Exhibition room) Weekdays only, 9:00am to 4:00pm. The exhibition is locked when not in use, please ask at the Furenai Town Office for access (Rider House) Accommodation operates from May to September
Price: Adult (ages 16 and over): 600 yen, Child (ages 15 and under): 300 yen * Coin-operated shower available
Phone: 01457-3-3211, Fax: 01457-3-3978

These two stones discovered at separate locations in the upper reaches of the Saru River in 1973 and 1974 were originally part of a larger single stone. Reunited after thousands of years, the “Wedding Couple Stones” stand as a symbol of the blessings of marriage.

Address: 79 Nibutani, Biratori-cho (next to the Kayano Shigeru Nibutani Ainu Museum)

A natural hot spring where you can relax among nature, surrounded by the fragrant scent of lily of the valley. Yukara offers three types of luxurious accommodation alongside fine examples of local cuisine, including Biratori wagyu, some of the finest Japanese Black beef in the country, and Biratori black pork from Berkshire pigs. The restaurant makes use of fine local produce such as Biratori’s famous Nispa’s Lover tomatoes.

Address: 92-6 Nibutani, Biratori-cho
Phone: 01457-2-3280
Accommodation: Western-style room with dinner and breakfast: from 11,150 yen, Japanese-style room with dinner and breakfast: from 11,950 yen, Japanese-Western style room with dinner and breakfast: from 12,950 yen, Room with outdoor bath: from 15,950 yen *Rates may change during periods such as the day before holidays, the New Year’s holidays, Golden Week, and summer holidays. *Accommodation-only and breakfast-only rates are also available.
Number of rooms: 3 Western-style rooms, 6 Japanese-style rooms, 3 Japanese-Western style rooms, 3 rooms with outdoor bath.
Remarks: Hot spring opening hours: 10:00am to 10:00pm (last entry 9:30pm)
Price: Adult (ages 13 and over): 420 yen, Child (ages 6-12): 140 yen, Infant (ages 5 and under): Free Check-in: 3:00pm Check-out: 10:00am Free Wi-Fi available

Yanto means inn in the Ainu language. Looking to create a guest house in his hometown of Nibutani similar to those he used on his own travels, the owner of Guesthouse Nibutani Yanto began planning in 2013 and finally opened its doors on April 15 2018. Guesthouse Nibutani Yanto provides a space for travelers to connect with each other and with local residents. The unique richness of Biratori makes it the perfect destination for those looking to experience a climate, landscape, culture and cuisine that is out of the ordinary. Stay in Nibutani and experience Ainu culture.

Address: 79-3 Nibutani, Biratori-cho
Phone: 01457-2-2335

Niseu Ecoland provides ample space and facilities to enjoy the outdoors in comfort, based around a campsite with space for cars and RVs to drive right up to the pitches. There are a range of activities to enjoy with family and friends, such as park golf, fishing and catching wild fireflies. Support staff are also permanently stationed on site for added peace of mind. A cooking area, flush toilets, coin-operated showers and vending machines are provided.

Address: 67-6 Aza Iwachishi, Biratori-cho, Saru-gun, Hokkaido
Closed: Tuesdays (except during peak times
Reservations: From mid-April
Reservation times: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Reservation contact number: 01457-3-3188
Other inquiries: 01457-3-3188 or 01457-3-3211

Nibutani Family Land is fun for all the family, with sports facilities including a baseball field, tennis courts, a gateball field and a park golf course, activities for children such as mini dodgems and an adventure playground, and an RV campsite. Take a walk along the trail and enjoy the natural surroundings of the Wild Bird Forest and Makaushi Falls.

Address: 92-38 Aza Nibutani, Biratori-cho
Opening hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Phone: 01457-2-3807

The delicious yamame trout in Niseuen’s fishing area come from the Niseu River, a tributary of the Saru River, which is the clearest river in Japan. Enjoy freshly-caught yamame trout grilled with salt, deep-fried, fried and marinated or as sashimi.

Address: 68-4 Aza Iwachishi, Biratori-cho
Phone: 01457-3-3134
Open:9:00am to sunset every day from April to November
Closed: December to March

Nispa’s Lover is Hokkaido’s largest producer of tomatoes. These Momotaro tomatoes are full of sweetness, long-lasting and require fewer pesticides than other varieties.

30 x 190g can per box / 6 x 1 liter bottle per box
Phone: 01457-2-2211 (JA Biratori)

Phone: 01457-2-2211 (JA Biratori)

Phone: 01457-2-2211
(Biratori Town Society of Commerce and Industry)

Biratori wagyu beef is produced from Japanese Black cattle raised in the rich nature of the Biratori area. The delicious meat is so soft it melts in your mouth.

Phone: 01457-2-2211 (JA Biratori)
Phone: 01457-2-3280 (Biratori Onsen)