#Japan #Voice Guide #Ainu Culture #Upopoy #Shiraoi

UPOPOY's Revamped Voice Guide App Set to Launch in April 2026

The UPOPOY cultural center, located in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, is preparing to unveil a refreshed version of its official voice guide app on April 1, 2026. This renewal marks a significant shift from a downloadable application to a new web-based system that enhances accessibility for users.

Transition from Downloadable to Browser-Based

With this upcoming revamp, users will no longer need to download the app as long as they have an internet connection. This change aims to simplify access and broaden the audience, allowing visitors from around the world to engage with Ainu culture more readily. The new system also aims to introduce a range of enhanced features, including the addition of Ainu language texts and audio that will serve as an introduction to the rich Ainu heritage.

What Changes Will Be Made?

Currently, the app offers a variety of features, including visuals and voice-over content in multiple languages, including Ainu. The existing app has provided summaries of exhibitions and programs at the National Museum of Ainu Culture and the National Ethnic Harmony Park, delivering valuable insights into the Ainu tradition. However, following the upgrade on April 1, 2026, the previous downloadable version of the app will no longer be available after April 10, 2026. Users are advised to download any necessary materials before this date, as reinstallation and redownload will not be an option post-transition.

Essential Features of the New App

1. Enhanced Accessibility

The new browser-based system supports all mobile devices and modern browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox, ensuring that users can easily access content without prior installation.

2. Deepening Understanding of Ainu Culture

The UPOPOY center is strongly committed to Ainu language promotion, and the revised app will not only contain Ainu audio but will also feature writings created to deepen users' understanding of the language and culture. Fifteen new pieces of Ainu language content have been prepared, with support from language researchers, and the UPOPOY staff engaging in two years of development aimed at learning and using Ainu in their contributions.

3. Ongoing Ainu Language Development

UPOPOY remains focused on fostering a vibrant Ainu language environment, promoting community collaboration with stakeholders and experts. This app renewal is expected to bolster Ainu language revival initiatives, thereby enhancing cultural transmission and public engagement.

About UPOPOY

Established in 2020, UPOPOY, or the Symbolic Space for Ethnic Harmony, serves as a vital hub for the revitalization and innovation of Ainu culture. Nestled on the shore of Lake Poroto, this cultural site features the National Ainu Museum, the immersive National Ethnic Harmony Park, and a memorial facility dedicated to respectful remembrance.

UPOPOY offers visitors diverse experiences that engage them with Ainu culture through various perspectives, including sensory experiences, exhibitions, and educational programs. The center's official website contains further resources: UPOPOY Official Website.

Visit UPOPOY

• - Location: 2-3 Wakakusa-cho, Shiraoi, Hokkaido 059-0902, Japan
• - Phone: 0144-82-3914
• - Access: Approximately 10 minutes' walk from JR Shiraoi Station; about 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport via highway or train.
• - Admission Fee: 1,200 yen for general adults, 600 yen for high school students, free for junior high school students and younger. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.
• - Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (varies seasonally)
• - Closure Days: Mondays; December 28 to January 4, and February 27 to March 8 (if a Monday is a holiday, the following weekday will be closed).

As UPOPOY continues to evolve, the upcoming app renewal represents a significant step toward inclusive, modern storytelling of Ainu traditions and languages, cultivating a deeper public appreciation of Ainu heritage.