Yakumo Town
The Ainu Mosir and the Two Seas

A Journey in Yakumo,
with an Ainu Focus

Yakumo Town is nestled between two seas, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. Serving as a border between the Ainu Mosir (the “Land of the Ainu” in the Ainu language) and the lands of the Wajin (mainland Japanese), Yakumo was a place of exchange between the Ainu people and the Wajin.

The Ainu Mosir and the Two Seas

Yakumo Town, Futami District
Yakumo Town, which has coasts along two seas, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, has a history shaped by the blessings of those two seas. In addition, Yakumo Town, located in South Hokkaido, was a site of migration by the Wajin (mainland Japanese) from early times, and served as a border between Ainu lands and Wajin lands during the Edo period. When we trace Yakumo’s Ainu and Wajin roots and its Ainu language place-names and legends, we can begin to visualize the history and culture of Ainu people in Yakumo, as well as the history of interaction between the Ainu and the Wajin.

Yakumo and the Ainu

  • Map of Yakumo with an Ainu Focus

    Map of Yakumo with an Ainu Focus

    Introduction to places in Yakumo Town that are associated with the Ainu people

  • Yakumo and the Ainu People

    Yakumo and the Ainu People

    Introduction to Yakumo’s Ainu people, and Wajin with close links to the Ainu

  • Historical Events in Yakumo related to the Ainu

    Historical Events in Yakumo related to the Ainu

    Introduction to historical events that occurred in Yakumo in connection with the Ainu and Wajin

  • Yakumo Ainu Legends

    Yakumo Ainu Legends

    Introduction of Ainu legends that have been preserved in locations across Yakumo Town

  • Yakumo’s Ainu Language Place-names

    Yakumo’s Ainu Language Place-names

    Introduction to Ainu language place-names within Yakumo Town

  • Facility Guide

    Facility Guide

    Introduction to facilities in Yakumo Town where you can learn about Ainu history

Recommended Tour Routes

Our recommended routes for your Ainu-focused journey in Yakumo Town