Altar, bear cage, storehouse and other facilities were sometimes placed around the main house. The altar was positioned at the front outside the window where gods were supposed to enter and exit. A dump site was placed a little distance away from the house. Bran and hearth ash were sometimes separated from garbage. Some houses also had shelves and rods to dry fish and meat and washing poles around them. Fences made of reed or other materials were sometimes built for protection against wind and snow.

photo courtesy: The Ainu Museum