Beyond here is the paid zone, but you can buy souvenirs or eat here and get some sense of the atmosphere. As for me, since I'd come all the way from Kushiro, I did properly enter the paid zone (haha)

+3

It's been several years since Upopoy opened, and this was my first visit! There seems to always be a staff member at the ticket purchase area, so I could buy my admission ticket without any trouble. Facing the entrance, on the right are the information desk and a shop selling souvenir sweets, T-shirts, and other items. At the information desk, showing your JAF membership card gets you a tea bag of “Ento-cha” as a souvenir🍵 I'd never heard of this tea, but the staff said it's an herbal tea that some people might not like, so try brewing it very weak. I'm looking forward to trying it😁 Thank you for the interesting souvenir😊

Besides being the ticket office for entering Upopoy, it also houses souvenir shops and restaurants. This entrance building also has illustrated information about exhibitions, other Ainu-related museums and archives, and events, which is very convenient. Upopoy is both a museum and a place to experience Ainu culture, but the activities have fixed starting times, so some can't be experienced if you enter in the afternoon. Admission tickets therefore become cheaper after a certain time. They explain these details carefully too, which is much appreciated.

Entering through the doorway, you first pass through a gray space. The area in front of the main gate is very spacious, and you need to buy tickets here~ 1200yen per adult.

There are a ticket counter, toilets, restaurants, and souvenir shops. Up to this point, it's free.