Overview:

is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising 11 archeological sites in northern Honshu, Japan. These sites provide evidence of human activity during the Jōmon period, a prehistoric era that lasted from 14,000 to 300 BCE. The sites provide evidence of early Paleolithic settlements and a unique Jōmon culture. The sites include earthenware from the era, various monuments of religion and ritual, and residential dwellings. Collectively, the sites demonstrate the extent of cultural and material culture achievement during this era. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Japan
Prominent Features:

, the Jōmon period is considered one of the oldest prehistoric cultures of the region dating back to the 11th millennium BCE and lasting until around the 3rd millennium BCE. During this time period, the people of Japan crafted an impressive system of architecture, which included villages, monuments, and burial mounds. There are a number of significant Jōmon sites that have been discovered in northern Japan, some of which are prominently featured on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The National Museum of Archaeology in Sapporo is home to one of the most important Jōmon sites in Japan, and contains pottery and various other artifacts from this ancient period. Also located in Sapporo is the Kamifurano Kamegaoka Jomon Site, a monumental burial mound dating back to the 4th century BCE. Nearby, the Morimo Daisen burial mounds feature a variety of burial mounds dotting the landscape, all of which are part of a member of the Jōmon Period. Moving further north, the Takikawa Oidere ruins provide evidence of prehistoric human activities from the Jōmon era, with several shale foundations still standing today. Lastly, the Karino Machi ruins present a large number of pottery shards and numerous Jōmon-style objects, dating back to more than 4,000 years ago. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Japan.

History:

, Jōmon sites are a type of archaeological site dating from the Jōmon period of Japanese prehistory (14,000 - 300 BC). The Jōmon period is known for its distinctive pottery style. Sites located in the northern part of Japan include archaeological sites from the Epi-Jōmon, Satsumon, Okhotsk, and Hokkaido Jōmon periods. The first known Jōmon sites in northern Japan were discovered in the early 20th century by the Japanese archaeologist Kumagusu Minakata. He reported finding sites in the Tōhoku region of northeast Japan, such as at Takizawa and Itako in Iwate Prefecture. Subsequent excavation revealed thousands of sites across Japan from the Jōmon period. In the late 20th century, the maritime explorations of the northern areas of Japan have resulted in the discovery of numerous Jōmon sites in Hokkaido and Hokuriku. The earliest sites, such as at Kushiribetsu Rivermouth and Sōbetsu, are from the Epi-Jōmon period (7000-5000 BC). The majority of these sites, however, are from the Satsumon culture, which flourished in the fifth to fourth millennia BC. This period saw the production of more elaborate pottery with complex decorative patterns. The Okhotsk Jōmon period (3000-1000 BC) witnessed a flourishing of maritime culture, during which the production of pottery with intricate geometric designs and clay figurines of animals were popular. Examples of Okhotsk Jōmon sites include Chitose, Shimokita, Kiritappu, and Utoro. The Hokkaido Jōmon period (1000 BC-300 BC), marked by the production of pottery with deep and highly decorative incisions, is the most recent period of the Jōmon culture. It is marked by the introduction of pithouse architecture and increased culinary sophistication. Examples of Hokkaido Jōmon sites include Mukawa, Shibunae, Ochiishi, and Isaribi. In the modern era, Jōmon sites in northern Japan have come under increasing threat from development. As a result, the Japanese government has designated numerous sites as national Historic Sites, and other archaeological sites have been declared Important Cultural Properties. These measures have preserved a record of the ancient history and culture of Japan. Visit one of the famous monuments of Japan with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

, the Jōmon period (14,000–300 BC) is the earliest era in Japanese history, and corresponds to the age of the first pottery. Northern Japan is home to some of the most remarkable and well-preserved Jōmon-era residential and ceremonial sites in the world. 1. Over 300 Jōmon-period sites are located in northern Japan’s Aomori Prefecture, which is home to the World Heritage Site Sannai-Maruyama. 2. Sagamore Shell Midden is the name of an archaeological site in Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan. It is one of the largest and best-preserved shell middens associated with the Jōmon period in Hokkaido. 3. Another impressive relic of Jōmon occupation is the Late Jōmon Period settlement Naridome, located in northern Japan’s Akita Prefecture. This site consists of 50 pit dwellings that were sealed for almost 1,500 years. 4. A distinctive feature of Jōmon sites in northern Japan is the raised and terraced house floors, which may have served as platforms for rituals or ceremonies. 5. Another distinctive feature of northern Jōmon period sites is the extremely large number of artifacts recovered from these sites. Examples include a variety of stone, bone, antler, shell and wooden implements, as well as pottery. One of the historical monuments of Japan, it tells the story of a bygone era