Biratori, Town in Saru District, Hokkaido, Japan
Biratori is a town in Saru District, Hokkaido, and covers a large area through which the Saru River flows from north to south. The landscape combines river valleys with agricultural fields spread across relatively flat and gently rolling terrain.
The town developed as a settlement for agricultural activity, building on a region where Ainu communities had lived long before. Early in the 20th century, anthropologist Neil Gordon Munro studied the local Ainu culture while providing medical care to residents.
The Nibutani Ainu Culture Museum displays everyday objects and crafted items that tell the story of the indigenous people living in this region, allowing visitors to understand how traditions were maintained across generations. The collection reveals practical skills and knowledge that shaped daily life in these communities.
The best time to visit is between May and July when the lily flowers bloom in the Memu area and temperatures are comfortable for exploring. The town is easily accessible by car, with local roads connecting villages and agricultural areas throughout the region.
The Suzuran area in Memu holds one of Japan's largest wild lily of the valley colonies, spreading beneath white birch forest. This rare botanical landscape offers visitors an uncommon springtime setting found in few other places.
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