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Sannai-Maruyama Site
History
Aomori, Tohoku

Sannai-Maruyama Site

Japan's largest Jomon period archaeological site, newly inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage in 2021. A 5,900-year-old village with reconstructed pit dwellings and the iconic six-pillar wooden watchtower rising above the excavation.

Duration

2–3 hours

Admission

¥500

Hours

9:00–17:00 (Oct–May); 9:00–18:00 (GW and Jun–Sep). Closed 4th Mon each month (next day if holiday), 30 Dec–1 Jan, and facility maintenance days.

Best Season

Year-round

Access

Bus from Aomori Station (20 min)

Location

Why Visit

  • 1

    The six-pillar structure used precisely spaced chestnut trunks — evidence of advanced Jomon engineering

  • 2

    Jade ornaments found here came from mines 600 km away, showing extensive Jomon trade networks

  • 3

    The on-site museum displays actual excavation finds including clay figurines, lacquerware and woven baskets

  • 4

    Ongoing excavations — you may see archaeologists at work during weekday visits

Local Tips

Japan's largest and best-preserved Jomon-period settlement (3,900–2,300 BC) — the six-post wooden tower and the longhouses reconstructed at original scale are extraordinary. The on-site museum houses an outstanding collection of Jomon pottery and figurines. UNESCO World Heritage since 2021. Combine with Nebuta Museum Warasse in Aomori city (30 min by car).

jomonarchaeologyaomoriunescoprehistoric

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