It is situated within the grounds of Upopoy (ウポポイ), a park complex that serves as a "symbolic space for ethnic harmony".

[3] It serves as one of the three main facilities of Upopoy (Ainu: "singing together in a large group"[4]), alongside the National Ainu Park and a memorial site on high ground on the east side of Lake Poroto (ポロト湖), where Ainu services are held.

[6] The former museum was nestled beside a traditional Ainu village, known as a kotan.

Exhibits are displayed according to six principal Ainu themes: language, history, views of the world, livelihoods (hunting, gathering, fishing, farming), lifestyles (food, clothing, shelters, music, dance), and trade and exchange with surrounding peoples, including projected "multicultural coexistence" in the Japan of the future.

[2] The museum is located about one hour by car from Sapporo and about 40 minutes from New Chitose Airport.