Partners Information: UNESCO recently announced two new World Heritage sites in Japan, a new Natural World Heritage site and a new Cultural World Heritage site. This means Japan is now home to a total of 25 UNESCO sites comprising 20 cultural sites and 5 of natural significance.
The new Cultural World Heritage site is the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan. The listing consists of 17 archaeological sites that are spread across southern Hokkaido and the northernmost prefectures of the Tohoku region: Aomori, Akita and Iwate.
The Jomon Period began around 13,000 years BC and lasted some 10,000 years. The people of this time were mainly hunters, fishers and gatherers but also created more permanent settlements, marking the transition from a previously nomadic lifestyle to a more sedentary one.
The Jomon culture had a complex belief system and rituals, with expressions of spirituality evident in objects such as clay figurines and large stone circles in ritual places.
A number of the sites have museums either onsite or nearby where you can see locally-excavated artefacts, learn more about this unique period in Japan’s history as well as take part in hands-on craft workshops.
Below is a roundup of sites from each prefecture that may be of particular interest.
Kakinoshima and Ofune Sites, Hokkaido
The Hakodate Jomon Culture Center is a museum in Hakodate displaying objects excavated from the Ofune and Kakinoshima sites. Among its permanent exhibition is a clay figurine that is Hokkaido's first National Treasure. The museum also offers a range of hands-on activities such as a Jomon-style pendant making workshop.
Kitakogane Site, Hokkaido
At the Kitagone Shell Mound Historic Park and the nearby visitor centre, visitors can see a restored shell midden, reconstructed dwellings, excavated artefacts and create their own Jomon-style bead or obsidian knife.
Korekawa Site, Aomori
Korekawa Jomon Kan is a museum with permeant exhibitions featuring objects excavated from the Korekawa site. Among them is a clay figurine that has been designated a National Treasure, the Gassyo Dogu. The museum also hosts special exhibitions about the site and Jomon culture.
Sannai Maruyama Site, Aomori
The Sannai Maruyama Site is one of Japan’s largest historical sites and was a former settlement from the Jomon Period. Visitors can view original remains, artefacts from the excavation site, reconstructed dwellings and even make Jomon-inspired crafts.
Goshono Site, Iwate
The Goshono Site features a spacious park and a museum. The park includes a Jomon Forest, original remains from the Jomon Period and restored dwellings. The museum houses locally excavated articles including a display of the remains of a burnt 4000-year-old building underneath a glass floor, and also includes a large projection mapping display as well as a range of hands-on Jomon craft experiences.
Oyu Stone Circles, Akita
Oyu Stone Circle Museum provides information, exhibitions of excavated objects as well as pottery and magatama bead workshops. Tours of the outdoor ruins run from mid-April to mid-November but can be subject to change depending on weather conditions.
More information
- Official site | Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan
- UNESCO’s official site | Properties inscribed on the World Heritage List
