How where the Ainu different from other people from Japan?

The Ainu are an indigenous people of Japan, primarily found in Hokkaido, and they differ from the majority Japanese in several ways. Culturally, the Ainu have a distinct language, traditional clothing, and spiritual beliefs centered around nature and animism. Physically, they are often characterized by a different appearance, including body hair and facial features that set them apart from the ethnic Japanese. Historically, the Ainu faced marginalization and assimilation pressures, leading to a decline in their population and cultural practices.