Jomon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku

Jomon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku

Jomon culture
Jomon culture, which began in 13,000 BC and
continued for about 10,000 years, is a well- known
prehistoric culture peculiar to the Japanese
archipelago. It formed a long-lasting, sustainable
society by adapting to the ecosystem which is
uncommonly rich in biodiversity and coexisting with
nature. Without implementing the full-scale agriculture and pastoralism, Jomon culture accomplished
and continued a sedentary and corporative society
for long periods based on hunting, gathering and
fishing as main subsistence. Therefore, being different from neolithic cultures in rest of the world,
Jomon culture is an extraordinarily rare prehistoric
culture in the world history.
S e e k in g Wor ld H e r it a ge In s c r ip tion
Jomon Archaeological Sites in
Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku
Boar-shaped clay figure
（Important Cultural Property）
Tokoshinai 2 Site
Censer-shaped pottery
Kakinoshima Site
Clay objects stamped by hand and foot of child
Oishitai Site
Seeking World Heritage Inscription
Jomon cultural sites are widely distributed throughout the Japanese archipelago. Despite that
basic elements of Jomon culture are shared with other regions, thousands of sites are known
in Hokkaido and northern Tohoku region. It is also a representative region where typical
cultural spheres in Jomon period flourished, such are like Ento-pottery Culture and
Kamegaoka Culture. Among them, Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô and Northern
Tôhoku can strongly represent the whole features of Jomon culture. In these sites, a ceramic
assemblage of the oldest group in the world was unearthed, and clay figurines associated with
Jomon spiritual world and large stone circles concentrated. In addition,
there are many sites where rich natural environment is conserved in
this group. For instance, vegetation and landform both of which are
reminiscent of prehistoric Jomon culture are well-preserved.
Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô and Northern Tôhoku are,
representing the prehistoric culture that emerged and developed in
the good relationship between human and nature, properties which
proves the superior value of Jomon Culture.
We believe that the Jomon archaeological sites in the four areas of
Hokkaido, Aomori prefecture, Iwate prefecture, Akita prefecture and
related municipalities hold a cultural heritage that should be preserved
Clay tablet
（Akita prefecturallyfor future generation as an invaluable treasure common to humanity
designated cultural property）
not only Japan, and we are aiming for World Heritage registration to
Oyu Stone Circles
ensure that these sites will be preserved in perpetuity.
The value of the Jomon archaeological sites has been recognized, and on January 5th, 2009 the
group of sites was recorded on the World Heritage tentative list as a World Heritage candidate.
Moving forward, we will further our efforts to achieve World Heritage registration.
Ornamental comb made of antler
（Aomori prefecturallydesignated cultural property）
Futatsumori Shell Midden
Ento-Kaso type pottery
（ Important Cultural Property）
Sannai-Maruyama Site
Large jade bead
Sannai-Maruyama Site
Lacquered spouted vessel
Kakinoshima Site
Akamido type pottery
Choshichiyachi Shell Midden
Lacquer painted plate shaped
pottery（Aomori prefecturallydesignated cultural property）
Kamegaoka Site
Proposing local governments of the Jomon Archaeological Site in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku
Hokkaido, Aomori prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, Akita prefecture,
Hakodate City, Chitose City, Date City, Mori Town, Toyako Town, Aomori City, Hirosaki City, Hachinohe City, Tsugaru City,
Sotogahama Town, Shichinohe Town, Ichinohe Town, Kazuno City, Kitaakita City
Contact Information
Culture and Sports Division, Bureau of Daily Life Safety, Department of Environment and Lifestyle, Hokkaido Government
Cultural Properties Protection Division, Secretariat Office of the Aomori Prefectural Board of Education
Lifelong Learning and Culture Division, Iwate Prefectural Board of Education
Cultural Assets Preservation Office, Akita Prefectural Bureau of Education
TEL +81-11-204-5168 FAX +81-11-232-8695
TEL +81-17-734-9922 FAX +81-17-734-8280
TEL +81-19-629-6177 FAX +81-19-629-6179
TEL +81-18-860-5193 FAX +81-18-860-5886
http: / / jo m o n- ja pa n. jp
Hollow clay figurine
（National Treasure）
Chobonaino Site
Clay figurine (goggle-eyed)
（Important Cultural Property）
Large size flat clay figurine
Kamegaoka Site
（Important Cultural Property）
Tokyo National Museum／
Sannai-Maruyama Site
Image:TNM Image Archives
Flat clay figurine
（Akita prefecturallyClay figurine with clasping hands
Clay figurine (goggle-eyed)
designated cultural property）
（National Treasure）
（Important Cultural Property）
Isedotai Site
Kazahari 1 Site
Nimaibashi 2 Site
Jomon Archaeological Sites in
Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku
❸Kiusu Earthwork Burial Circles ❹Kitakogane Shell Midden
❶Ofune Site
❷Kakinoshima Site
❺Washinoki Site
❻Irie/Takasago Shell Midden ❼Sannai-Maruyama Site
Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô, Northern Tôhoku, and other regions
consist of eighteen sites including special historic site Sannai-Maruyama site
and Oyu Stone Circle. They involve all the remarkable elements of Jomon
culture, such are like settlements, shell middens and monuments. Furthermore,
since these sites are located at various places including seashore, inland, lake
area and river basin, Jômon Archaeological Sites in Hokkaidô, Northern
Tôhoku, and other regions are extraordinarily valuable representing several
aspects of Jomon culture and their diachronic changes.
Hokkaido ❸
❻
❹
❺ ❶
❷
❼
❾ ❽
Akita
Aomori
Iwate
❶ Historic site Ofune Site / Hakodate City, Hokkaido
❷ Historic site Kakinoshima Site / Hakodate City, Hokkaido
❸ Historic site Kiusu Earthwork Burial Circles / Chitose City, Hokkaido
❹ Historic site Kitakogane Shell Midden / Date City, Hokkaido
❺ Historic site Washinoki Site / Mori Town, Hokkaido
❻ Historic site Irie/Takasago Shell Midden / Toyako Town, Hokkaido
❼ Special Historic site Sannai-Maruyama Site / Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
❽ Historic site Komakino Site / Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
❾ Historic site Omori-Katsuyama Site / Hirosaki City, Aomori prefecture
Historic site Choshichiyachi Shell Midden / Hachinohe City, Aomori prefecture
Historic site Korekawa Site / Hachinohe City, Aomori prefecture
Historic site Tagoyano Shell Midden / Tsugaru City, Aomori prefecture
Historic site Kamegaoka Site / Tsugaru City, Aomori prefecture
Historic site Odai-Yamamoto Site / Sotogahama Town, Aomori prefecture
Historic site Futatsumori Shell Midden / Shichinohe Town, Aomori prefecture
Historic site Goshono Site / Ichinohe Town, Iwate prefecture
Special Historic site Oyu Stone Circles / Kazuno City, Akita prefecture
Historic site Isedotai Site / Kitaakita City, Akita prefecture
❽Komakino Site
Odai-Yamamoto Site
❾Omori-Katsuyama Site
Futatsumori Shell Midden
Choshichiyachi Shell Midden
Korekawa Site
Goshono Site
Oyu Stone Circles
Tagoyano Shell Midden
Kamegaoka Site
Isedotai Site