The people of Tokachi have made efforts to preserve Ainu traditions. In order to hand down traditional dances, the Obihiro Kamuytou Upopo Preservation Society was established in 1964, in Obihiro. This traditional dance is now officially recognized as a nationally important intangible folk cultural asset, and as a designated cultural asset of Obihiro City. Subsequently, the number of organizations for preserving Ainu culture increased, and an Ainu language school was opened in 1993.