The Jomon Prehistoric Sites are a collection of archaeological sites found in Hokkaido and the Northern Tohoku region (Akita, Aomori, and Iwate Prefectures) of Japan. There are 17 unique sites that make up the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Settlements, earthen mounds, stone circles, intricate pottery and figurines, are all hidden treasures of the Jomon people, a hunter-gatherer culture that dates back over 10,000 years.  Learn more about the Jomon Prehistoric Sites, its people, and the locations I visited while touring specific sites in Northern Japan.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! UNESCO: Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan The Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was inscribed in 2021. According to UNESCO, there are 17 archaeological sites ranging from Southern Hokkaido to the Northern Tohoku region of Japan. The Northern Tohoku region includes the Japanese Prefectures of Akita, Aomori, and Iwate.  The Jomon Sites around Northern Japan and Hokkaido include settlements, burial mounds, ritual and ceremonial sites, stone circles, and many recovered artifacts like pottery and weapons.  Who Were the Jomon People? The Jomon people is a name given to the prehistoric inhabitants of Japan during the Jomon period, 14,000 BCE to 300 BCE.  The Jomon people were hunter-gatherers who lived a semi-sedentary lifestyle. This is known because of archaeological evidence found at many of the settlements. The Jomon people lived in settlements made of many pit dwellings. The structures varied in size from small rooms to huge longhouses like the one at Sannai Maruyama.  According to the museums visited, the Jomon people used stone tools, bone tools, and even fished using nets. They used weapons and had arrow and spearheads. Honestly, it reminded me of arrowheads like the Native Americans used. It’s crazy to me how close the tools and weapons were comparing two different cultures on opposite sides of the planet.  Jomon Pottery and Artifacts The Jomon people are most known for their pottery. The pottery was of course handmade and characterized by the patterns made by cord markings.  Cord markings is a technique used by the Jomon people where ropes or cords were pressed into the clay to make patterns.  The pottery was multi-functional and was used for cooking, decoration, and storage and came in all shapes and sizes.  The thing that fascinated me the most was the figurines or Dogu. They’ve uncovered many of these figurines which resemble humans. The Dogu are made from clay and are believed to be ritual objects and not children’s toys like I initially thought. The Google-Eyed Dogu are my favorite. The Google-eyed figurine from the Kamegaoka Burial Site is the most famous and is currently at the Tokyo National Museum.  Jomon Sites in Northern Japan The Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan are a must-visit for any traveler visiting Japan that is interested in history and looking to explore parts of Akita, Aomori, and Hokkaido.  Recognized as a UNESCO site in 2021, the Jomon Sites are are historically significant and well worth visiting. Although there are many more sites, 17 are listed and protected under UNESCO. I managed to visit 4 major Jomon Sites across Akita, Aomori, and Hokkaido Prefectures. Below you can find more information on the particular sites I visited.  Sannai Maruyama Site Located in Aomori Prefecture just outside the city of Aomori is the Sannai Maruyama Archaeological Site.  Sannai Maruyama was the most significant and largest of the Jomon sites I visited in Northern Japan. You could literally spend a whole day here between browsing the museum and walking the grounds.  Sannai Maruyama has it all: Mounds, remains of pathways, storage pits, burial areas, reconstructed dwellings and structures, and so much more!  There are multiple routes to walk on the grounds of Sannai Maruyama, We just took the standard route. There were many reconstructed dwellings, you can even access them to see what the inside most likely looked like.  Don’t forget to spend time in the museum to get a better understanding of the Jomon people and see many of their pottery and artifacts on display.  For more information on the  Sannai Maruyama Site to include opening hours and admission fees, view the official website.  Kamegaoka Archaeological Site Nearly an hour drive from Sannai Maruyama is the Kamegaoka Archaeological Site. Kamegaoka Archaeological Site is most famous because of the iconic Shakoki Dogu (Goggle-Eyed figurine) that was discovered at the site.  According to a sign posted at the site, the figurine found here named Shakoki Dogu gets its name because Shakoki means snow goggles and its eyes resemble snow goggles, I prefer Goggle-Eyed.  The Google-Eyed figurine, Shakoki Dogu was moved to the Tokyo National Museum.  Omori-Katsuyama Archaeological Site Omori Katsuyama Archaeological Site consisted of stone circles that date back to 1,000 BCE. The site was most likely a burial and ceremonial area.  According to signage at the site, there are no other stone circles in the surrounding areas. It is thought that several settlements jointly used Omori Katsuyama. We visited Omori-Katsuyama in the evening hours and it was so peaceful walking around. The trails were nicely maintained and well marked.   Goshono Archaeological Site Located in Iwate Prefecture just south of the town of Ichinohe is Goshono Archaeological Site.  Goshono Archaeological Site is a preserved Jomon site that dates back over 4,000 years ago. On the grounds here, you can find reconstructed pit dwellings, burial mounds, and a large museum.  The picture above is actually the covered walkway that acts as an entrance to the site. After the walkway, you enter the museum area where you can freely walk around before going outside to walk the grounds.  Conclusion Visiting the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan is both a journey through Japan’s incredibly beautiful landscapes but it’s also a step back in time to one of the oldest known civilizations. I had no idea that the Jomon Period even existed until living in Japan. Come to learn that the Jomon people created highly intricate pottery and had semi-stationary settlements.  From viewing the pit-dwellings at Sannai Maruyama to the seeing the Google-Eyed Dogu at Kamegaoka Archeological Site, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites offer a glimpse into the lives, spiritual beliefs, and artistic abilities of the Jomon people.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site. 

If you are looking for an authenticate experience, then staying in a Ryokan Hotel in Japan is as genuine as it gets. Ryokan hotels are traditional Japanese hotels that offer a unique experience that will certainly be a highlight from your trip to Japan.  Staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan is a cultural experience that typically includes meals, a Yukata to wear, hospitality, and an onsen (public bath). I’ve stayed at several Ryokan hotels throughout Japan and want to share my love of Ryokan hotels with you.  **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! What is a Ryokan Hotel Ryokan hotels come in all shapes and sizes and are found throughout Japan. The Ryokan is loosely defined as a traditional Japanese inn that offers its guests a unique experience, Japanese culture, omotenashi (hospitality), and a relaxing stay.  Ryokan hotels are found all throughout Japan and can be located anywhere from small mountain villages to large cities like Kyoto.  Ryokan hotels are much different then your typical western or business hotel that is popular in Japan like APA or Toyoko Inn, which I love. Apart from the experience itself and exceptional hospitality, some key features that separate a Ryokan from a business hotel are the full tatami rooms where you sleep on a futon on the floor, onsens, Kaiseki meals, and the provided yukatas.  Reasons you Should Stay at a Ryokan Hotel in Japan For that quintessential Japanese experience, I recommend staying at a Ryokan hotel while visiting Japan. If anything, stay at least one night at a Ryokan during your visit to Japan just to say you’ve done it.  Ryokans come in all forms and at a variety of price ranges but no matter what, I promise you it will be a unique experience.  If you want to experience culture, onsens, taking photos in a yukata, or just want to relax, then staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan is a must, below are a few reasons why staying in a Ryokan offer a better experience then a regular hotel in Japan.  Cultural Experience Most people book a Ryokan for the cultural and unique experience. A Ryokan hotel is something unique to Japan and you can’t really find this style of inn anywhere else.  Staying at a Ryokan is much more then just staying overnight at a hotel in Japan. It’s more of an immersive experience into Japanese culture and hospitality.  Most Ryokans will have traditional decor, tatami-matted rooms, shoji screens, and comfortable futons to sleep on.  Meals As someone who loves food, of course the meals, both breakfast and dinners served at Ryokan hotels are always a highlight. The meals served at Ryokan hotels are known as Kaiseki. Kaiseki is a traditional multi-course meal that is usually served in your room, a private dining area, or a communal space.  The Kaiseki comes in many different ways. It is popular to have a whole table spread of small dishes that include an appetizer, sashimi, fermented vegetables, grilled fish, steamed rice, miso soup, and a dessert.  A few Ryokans I’ve stayed at, include a buffet option. The buffets are always outstanding with a huge variety.  So far, Nikko Tokanso in Nikko has had my favorite Kaiseki while Yukai Resort Koshinoyu in Wakayama Prefecture has had the most outstanding dinner buffet.  Onsen (Public bath) Another big draw to staying at a Ryokan is the onsen or public baths. An onsen is a Japanese hot spring and are found all around the country.  Natural onsens are rich in minerals and heated by volcanic activity. Sometimes the onsens are so hot it’s almost unbearable. But it’s all about relaxation and healing.  Most of the Ryokans I’ve stayed at have both public and private onsens. Private onsens are great if you want to enjoy the experience with your partner or have tattoos and cannot go to the public onsen.  Typically, private onsens, you have to pay extra and need to check the times at the frond desk of the Ryokan.  Depending on the Ryokan, some have onsens on site, in the room, or public baths around town. Wearing a Yukata If you are visiting Japan, I am sure wearing a kimono crossed your mind.  How about a Yukata? A yukata is basically a casual kimono and most Ryokan hotels come equipped with them. The yukata will be placed in your room or can be found at the front desk. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear your yukata while dining in the Ryokan, walking to and from the onsen, or just lounging in your room.  If you are staying in an onsen town, you can even wear your yukata out and about.  Relaxation Besides the meals, I love staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan because it is a relaxing and peaceful experience.  Ryokans are meant to have a relaxing ambience and are generally set in natural locations whether it is in a mountainous area or quiet street set back a few blocks from the busy city districts.  It doesn’t get more relaxing then slipping into a yukata, enjoying the onsen, or just spending time in your room.  Conclusion Staying at a Ryokan hotel in Japan combines culture, food, and atmosphere. I promise you will get a one of a kind and memorable experience staying at a Ryokan. Some of my best and most memorable overnight stays in Japan have all been at a Ryokan. While visiting Japan, even if it is just for one night, ditch that generic hotel room and book a Ryokan hotel, you won’t regret it.  Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸   Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇯🇵  Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖  For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours  🏖️🚁  Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options.  In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘  I recommend checking with Rental Cars. Train Travel 🚂🚊  For the JR Pass, tickets can be purchased on the JR Pass site.