The facility began its existence in 1976 as the Shiraoi Foundation for the Preservation of Ainu Culture.

In 1984 this was extended to include the Ainu Folk Museum.

In 1990 it reopened under the auspices of The Ainu Museum Foundation.

The collection included some five thousand folk materials relating to the Ainu and a further approximately two hundred objects relating to minority groups of the north, including the Nivkh, Uilta, Sami, and Inuit.

The institution was also involved in the recording and transmission of Ainu-related intangible cultural heritage.