In Nibutani, Hidaka Subprefecture, Hokkaido, roughly 80 percent of residents are of Ainu descent.
Yoshihiro Osada, 38 (Ainu)
Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum
Nibutani is all about preserving and continuing Ainu traditions and culture, and I think that in the future our reputation will grow and grow. We'll tend the forests and the riverside scenery, and organize ourselves in stronger ways for the benefit of our village's community.
Yufu Kaizawa
Student, 14 (Ainu)
I think Nibutani will keep passing down Ainu culture and, over time, the surrounding towns will become more aware of the Ainu way of life. The homes in which we live may evolve in 100 years, but we'll never get rid of Nibutani's old thatch Ainu houses.