In 2021, UNESCO awarded Japan a new World Heritage Site, collectively known as the Jomon Prehistoric Sites of Northern Japan. The sites are located in 17 different locations across four prefectures and document the history and culture of Japan’s prehistoric era. The Jomon period began at the tail end of the last ice age. The ice and land bridges that once connected the Japanese archipelago to the Asian mainland disappeared, and Japan became the set of islands we know today. The Jomon people lived in many places throughout Japan and shared a common lifestyle and culture. The Jomon period continued until around 300 BCE. Jomon culture developed several innovations, such as a more sedentary way of life, agriculture, pottery and more.
Ofune Jomon Site
Photo by: PIXTA/ az A recreation of some of the houses at the time.
The Ofune Site is located on the outskirts of Hakodate and sits along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. Based on archaeological research, the area appears to have been a residential space. Using evidence drawn from fieldwork, researchers recreated a number of buildings in their entirety and some in their skeletal form. You’ll see foundations measuring as wide as ten meters long and two meters deep. More than 100 burials have been found at the site. Bones from land and sea animals and stone cooking tools can tell us much about how the Jomon lived on the Oshima Peninsula thousands of years ago. Twice a day, a Japanese-speaking tour guide is present on-site to provide additional information as you stroll through the area.
Hakodate Jomon Culture Center
Photo by: WikiCommons/ あずきごはん Some of the artifacts you’ll see at the center
The nearby Hakodate Jomon Culture Center helps to contextualize what you’ll see at the Ofune Site. With displays and dioramas, visitors can learn about the era’s historical significance. There are four main exhibition rooms and one contains Hokkaido’s first National Treasure, Chuku-Dogu, the best preserved hollow clay figure from the Jomon period. You should also check out the Hands-On Exhibition Room. Here, you’ll be able to touch some historical artifacts and get a deeper sense of appreciation for the era’s works.
