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JOMON ARCHIVES (photo by Hakodate City Board of Education)
HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Jomon Archaeological Sites in Hakodate
Travel back to the past at the World Heritage Jomon Prehistoric Sites
Hakodate City
The Jomon period is an age of Japanese prehistory that began 15,000 years ago and lasted for over 10,000 years. Many Jomon ruins have been discovered in the northern prefectures of Japan, and 17 of the most valuable archeological sites were registered as a World Cultural Heritage in July 2021. Two of these new UNESCO sites, the Ofune Site and the Kakinoshima Site, are located in the eastern area of Hakodate, Hokkaido.
The Ofune Site contains the remains of a large-scale settlement centered on the mid-Jomon period (approximately 5,500 to 4,000 years ago). Over 100 pit dwellings have been found here, some of the larger ones with a diameter of 10m and a depth of 2m. The site features reconstructions of Jomon dwellings and earthen mounds, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Jomon period.
Located a 10-minute drive from the Ofune site, the Kakinoshima Site revealed traces of a long-term settlement, from the early to late Jomon period (approximately 9,000 to 3,000 years ago). Earthenware, stone tools, and numerous other artifacts have been excavated here, providing valuable information about the daily lives of the Jomon people. Thanks to the newly introduced augmented reality (AR) technology, you will be able to enjoy an immersive experience of the ruins on your own smartphone.
Adjacent to the Kakinoshima Site is the Hakodate Jomon Culture Center, a museum that also functions as a roadside station, where you can learn more about Jomon culture. Among the exhibits on display, you can admire "Hollow Dogu," a clay figurine designated as Hokkaido's first National Treasure. Visitors can also experience various hands-on activities, such as making magatama pendants, curved beads used as talismans that first appeared in Japan during the late Jomon period.
How to get there
From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, take the Hakodate Liner to Hakodate Station (15-19 minutes). Take the Hakodate Bus 99 bound for "Shikabe Shutchojo," get off at "Ofune Iseki-shita" bus stop (100 minutes), then walk 8 minutes.
Ofune Site: 575-1 Ofune-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido (Administration Building)
Kakinoshima Site: 416-1 Usujiri-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido (Administration Building)
Hakodate Jomon Culture Center: 551-1 Usujiri-cho, Hakodate-shi, Hokkaido
