Immersive Ainu Food Culture Tour

Tour Highlights

• Immerse yourself in Ainu traditions at “Umi Zora no Haru,” a restaurant dedicated to indigenous culture. Inside a space modeled after a traditional “Cise” (Ainu house), you can wear ethnic attire and capture memorable photos that reflect the spirit of Hokkaido.
• Learn the profound meaning of “Hinna” (gratitude) by preparing the traditional dish, “Chitatap.” Using a Makiri (small knife) to chop ingredients, you will experience the Ainu philosophy of respecting nature and ensuring that no part of its gifts goes to waste.
• Explore the vibrant Nijo Market, known as Sapporo’s Kitchen, and select your own premium Horsehair Crab. With your guide by your side, enjoy lively interactions with local vendors as you pick out the finest seasonal seafood to be enjoyed later.
• Savor your freshly purchased market seafood right away at a restaurant. This tour provides the perfect setting to immediately enjoy the flavors you selected at the market, offering a seamless transition from shopping to dining.

Your journey begins at the historic Nijo Market, the heart of Sapporo’s food culture. Alongside your guide, you will navigate the lively aisles filled with seasonal treasures, including the iconic Horsehair Crab. Beyond just sightseeing, you will experience the joy of interacting with local vendors to select your own ingredients. The crab you pick at the market will be brought directly to the restaurant—a seamless luxury that allows you to enjoy your fresh purchase right away.

Following the market exploration, we head to “Umi Zora no Haru,” a restaurant that serves as a bridge to the indigenous world of the Ainu. Here, you will participate in making “Chitatap,” a traditional dish prepared by finely chopping ingredients with a Makiri (small knife). This hands-on process is a lesson in the Ainu spirit of “Hinna”—a profound sense of gratitude and respect for nature, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.

Accompanied by the fresh crab you sourced at the market, this meal offers a unique blend of modern Hokkaido flavors and ancient indigenous traditions. Within a dining room modeled after a “Cise” (a traditional Ainu house), you can also don ethnic costumes for a truly immersive experience. Join us to savor the “Soul of Hokkaido” through a deep connection with nature, history, and the finest local food.