Topics & Themes

World Cultural Heritage: Jomon Sites in Hokkaido and Tohoku

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The Jomon people of 13,000 years ago question universal values of humanity

While many people outside of Japan might not know this, there are believed to be over 90,000 Jomon period archaeological sites in Japan.
Today, I’d like to introduce one of the most representative of these sites, a group of Jomon sites that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

On July 27, 2021, the “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku” achieved the historic milestone of being inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
This group of sites, consisting of 17 constituent components and two related properties across four prefectures – Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita – preserves crucial physical evidence from Japan’s ancient history.

This inscription is not just a testament to the archaeological importance of the discoveries; it also poses a new question for the entirety of human history.
Conventional wisdom has long held that the start of a production-based economy, such as farming and animal husbandry, was what prompted the formation of large-scale, settled societies.
However, this group of sites proves the existence of a globally rare society where a foraging, fishing, and hunting economy, built on a foundation of abundant natural resources, could sustainably develop for over 10,000 years and cultivate a sophisticated spiritual culture.

In this article, we will delve into the core of this unique Jomon culture.
We will explore, from multiple perspectives, why this region fostered a culture unlike any other in world history and what messages that culture conveys to us living in the modern age.

Table of Contents

The Core of the World Heritage Inscription – Physical Evidence of Settlement and Spirituality in Human History

The Value Reflected in Inscription Criteria (iii) and (v)

The basis for the recognition of the “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku” as a World Heritage site lies in the Outstanding Universal Value (O.U.V.) criteria set by UNESCO.
Specifically, the sites were evaluated as meeting the following two criteria:

Criterion (iii)
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared.
Criterion (v)
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change.

These criteria demonstrate that this group of sites is not merely a collection of old artifacts.
It contains crucial knowledge that forces a significant reevaluation of our understanding of human history.
The fact that a settled society without agriculture could endure for over 10,000 years is a globally rare example and serves as valuable evidence of the diversity of human survival methods and cultural development.

The East-Dominant Jomon Culture – The Bounty of Deciduous Broadleaf Forests and Sustainable Settlement

Japanese history is often told with a “west-dominant, east-submissive” narrative, where western Japan became the cultural center after the influx of continental cultures during the Yayoi period.
However, during the Jomon period, this dynamic was reversed, with eastern Japan dominating in terms of population and cultural maturity, a phenomenon known as “east-dominant, west-submissive.”

This was largely influenced by the vegetation of the time.
While western Japan was dominated by laurel forests centered around chestnut and oak trees, eastern Japan was home to extensive deciduous broadleaf forests, primarily beech and oak.
These forests were a natural pantry, providing a rich abundance of nuts like chestnuts, walnuts, and horse chestnuts.
Jomon people processed these nuts by grinding them with stone grinders and mortars and cooking them to create a stable food source.
The discovery of numerous shells in shell mounds, as well as harpoons, fishing hooks, and stone sinkers, shows that fishing in the sea and rivers was also highly developed.
Furthermore, their hunting techniques, which used bows, arrows, and pitfalls, were exceptional, allowing them to efficiently catch wild animals like deer and wild boar.

With such diverse and stable food sources, people were able to settle in specific locations and form large-scale communities without relying on agriculture.
As a result, the population grew, and it’s estimated that roughly 92% of the total population of the Japanese archipelago during the Middle Jomon period was concentrated in eastern Japan.
This sustainable societal model goes beyond mere survival skills; it proves the existence of a sophisticated social system for the sustainable management and utilization of nature’s bounty.
This fact is the core value of these sites as “unparalleled physical evidence in human history.”

Physical Evidence of Spirituality – Clay Figurines, Stone Circles, and Lacquerware That Speak of a Rich Inner World

Jomon culture was not only materially rich but also fostered a highly refined and complex spirituality.
The numerous artifacts and structures that have been excavated convey the rich inner world of the Jomon people.

Clay figurines, many of which depict female figures or pregnant women, are considered symbols of life.
They are thought to have been used in rituals to pray for the birth of life, fertility, and regeneration.
It’s particularly interesting that many of these figurines are found intentionally broken.
This destruction, symbolizing “death,” may point to a unique view of life and death – a wish for reincarnation and the start of a new “life.”
Furthermore, the custom of burying the remains of children in pottery vessels near dwellings is believed to be deeply connected to a philosophy of reincarnation, where the pottery vessel was seen as a “mother’s womb,” and the child was wished to “return again.”

Additionally, the stone circles found at the Oyu Stone Circles in Akita Prefecture and the Washinoki Site in Hokkaido were not mere monuments.
They were communal burial grounds for ancestors and ritual sites to express reverence for nature.
These monuments symbolize a high level of belief and community cohesion.

Even in their practical tools, the high level of Jomon people’s technical and artistic skills can be seen.
Their lacquerware technology, which was established from an early period, was highly sophisticated and showed a deep knowledge of plant properties.
The beautiful ornamentation on their lacquer accessories and the bold patterns on their Kamegaoka-style pottery are worthy of the name “Jomon art.”
These artifacts reveal that the Jomon people pursued not only material comfort but also a rich spiritual life.

A Cultural Sphere Spanning the Tsugaru Strait – The Uniqueness of the Jomon Culture Shared by Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku

The fact that the “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku” were inscribed as a single cultural sphere spanning multiple prefectures has a clear reason: this region formed a cohesive “Tsugaru Strait Cultural Sphere” throughout the Jomon period, transcending the geographical boundary of the Tsugaru Strait.

This cultural unity suggests that the Jomon people did not have the same concept of administrative boundaries that we do today.
An extensive social system for the active exchange of resources, technology, and ideas was in operation for over 10,000 years.
This cultural unity was one of the key reasons for the World Heritage inscription.
Below is a summary of the constituent sites of this cultural sphere and their characteristics.

Jokoji Site (Hokkaido Hakodate City)
Early Jomon.
A long-term settled community with a clear distinction between residential and burial areas.
Kitakogane Shell Midden (Hokkaido Date City)
Early Jomon.
Large-scale shell midden with ritual remains that indicate spiritual culture.
Ofune Site (Hokkaido Hakodate City)
Middle Jomon.
A major settlement with large-scale ceremonial earthworks.
Irie Shell Midden (Hokkaido Toyako Town)
Late Jomon.
A community supporting a communal ritual site and burial grounds.
Kiusu Earthwork Burial Circles (Hokkaido Chitose City)
Late Jomon. Large-scale communal burial grounds unique to Hokkaido.
Takasago Shell Midden (Hokkaido Toyako Town)
Late Jomon.
Communal burial grounds with an accompanying shell midden.
Washinoki Site (Hokkaido Mori Town)
Late Jomon.
A stone circle.
Choshichiyachi Shell Midden (Aomori Hachinohe City)
Early Jomon
Shell midden and water-source remains.
Odaikoyama Moto Site (Aomori Sotogahama Town)
Paleolithic to Early Jomon.
Site showing the shift to a settled lifestyle.
Tagoyano Shell Midden (Aomori Tsugaru City)
Early Jomon. Community with a shell midden in an inner-bay area.
Futatsumori Shell Midden (Aomori Shichinohe Town)
Early Jomon.
Large-scale shell midden community in a lakeside region.
Sannai Maruyama Site (Aomori Aomori City)
Middle Jomon.
One of the largest major settlements in Japan.
Komakino Site (Aomori Aomori City)
Late Jomon. A ritual site centered on a stone circle.
Omori Katsuyama Site (Aomori Hirosaki City)
Late Jomon. –
Kamegaoka Stone Age Site (Aomori Tsugaru City)
Late Jomon.
Site where the Shakoki Dogu (goggle-eyed figurine) was excavated, along with large communal burial grounds.
Korekawa Stone Age Site (Aomori Hachinohe City)
Late Jomon.
A community showing a high level of spirituality.
Goshono Site (Iwate Ichinohe Town)
Middle Jomon.
A major settlement with stone arrangements.
Isedotai Site (Akita Kitaakita City)
Late Jomon. A ritual site centered on a stone circle.
Oyu Stone Circles (Akita Kazuno City)
Late Jomon. Large-scale communal burial grounds and a ritual site.

Shared Pottery and Spiritual Culture That Show Unity

The unity of this vast cultural sphere can be discerned from shared pottery styles.
From southern Hokkaido to northern Tohoku, people used common pottery styles, such as the Ento-kasō-shiki (Lower Cylindrical) pottery, which was made by mixing fibers into the clay, and the Ento-jōsō-shiki (Upper Cylindrical) pottery, which had a large, wavy rim. These pottery styles indicate that the people of this region had close cultural and technological exchanges.

Similarities can also be seen in their spiritual culture.
The stone circles at the Oyu Stone Circles in Akita Prefecture and the Washinoki Site in Hokkaido share a similar pattern of stones arranged in concentric circles, providing concrete evidence that the two regions were part of a single spiritual and cultural sphere.
The large-scale earthworks found at the Sannai Maruyama Site in Aomori Prefecture and the Ofune Site in Hokkaido also share similarities as places for communal rituals and ceremonies.

Furthermore, the numerous excavated trade goods, such as jade, obsidian, and asphalt, which were transported from distant locations, show that a sophisticated trade network existed not only within this cultural sphere but also with a much wider area.
This reveals that the Jomon people were not isolated groups but actively exchanged goods and ideas across seas and mountains.

From Jomon to Ainu – A Lineage of Coexistence with Nature

Jomon culture is thought to have a deep connection with the culture of the Ainu, the indigenous people of modern-day Japan, especially Hokkaido.
This relationship is being explored from both genetic and cultural perspectives.

Genetic Commonality and a Contrast with the Yayoi People

According to molecular anthropology research, the main populations living in the modern Japanese archipelago are classified as mainland Japanese, Okinawans, and Ainu.
The “dual structure model” posits that mainland Japanese were formed by the mixing of Jomon people and immigrants from the continent during the Yayoi period, and it is estimated that only about 20% of their genetic makeup is of Jomon origin.

In contrast, recent research has concluded that the Ainu people are “the oldest lineage of residents of the Japanese archipelago” and “on the same branch as the Jomon people” in the genetic family tree.
This is evidence that the Ainu retain a strong genetic link to the Jomon people.
However, this continuity is not a simple one, as DNA analysis also shows that the genetic influence of the Okhotsk people, a northern ethnic group, is also deeply involved.

These two facts are not contradictory.
The formation of the Ainu people should be understood as the product of a complex and dynamic history, with a Jomon base that was later mixed with the Okhotsk people.
Accurately understanding this historical process is an essential perspective for respecting the roots and identity of the Ainu people.
It suggests that Jomon culture is the source of a profound spiritual and genetic lineage that continues into modern Ainu culture.

Reverence for Nature – A Shared Spirit Flowing Through the Cultures

One of the most important shared philosophies between Jomon and Ainu cultures is “coexistence with nature” and “reverence for life.”
The Jomon people used shell mounds not just as garbage dumps but as a “sending place” for the dead.
This shows that the belief in respecting all living things and “sending spirits to the original world” is a concept that resonates with the Ainu ritual of Kamuy-okuri (sending the spirits of animals back to the world of the spirits).

The universal values of “reverence for nature” and “the philosophy of coexistence,” which are so prominent in Ainu culture, deeply resonate with the foundational ideas of Jomon culture, transcending time.
This shared spirituality is not just a historical relic; it contains universal insights for the environmental problems and spiritual poverty facing modern society.

The Legacy of Jomon Life and Spirit – An Overview of Major Sites

The 17 sites that make up the “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku” each contain their own unique story.
Here, we will take a closer look at a few of the most symbolic sites and explore their archaeological significance.

Sannai Maruyama Site – A Jomon “Metropolis” Showing Advanced Social Planning

Located in Aomori Prefecture, the Sannai Maruyama Site is one of the largest major settlements in Japan, dating back to the Middle Jomon period.
The most surprising aspect of this site is the deliberate planning of its community structure.

The remains of a large, pillar-supported building suggest the existence of a massive, stilt-supported structure, with six chestnut tree pillars, each with a diameter of one meter and a depth of two meters.
This is undeniable evidence that a planned “society” existed for communal work, gatherings, and ceremonies, rather than just a group of individual dwellings.
Additionally, the remains of a road, approximately 12 meters wide and 420 meters long, that ran through the center of the community, show that the Jomon people had a sophisticated understanding of space and urban planning.

From a wetland area at the site, which was used as a valley, wood products, lacquerware, and even plant seeds and parasitic eggs were preserved in excellent condition due to the lack of oxygen.
These organic materials provide invaluable information about the lifestyle, diet, and even health of the people of that time.

Oyu Stone Circles – A Magnificent Ritual Space Aligned with the Sun’s Path

The Oyu Stone Circles in Akita Prefecture are a massive ritual and burial site built in the Late Jomon period, consisting of two stone circles, Nonakadō and Manza.

This site is not just a communal burial ground; it is thought to have served as a ceremonial site for funerals and to express reverence for nature.
Numerous artifacts related to rituals have been excavated from the surrounding area, including clay figurines for wishing for procreation and mushroom-shaped clay objects for praying for a good harvest.

Even more noteworthy is the theory that the axis connecting the central stone of the two stone circles and the “sundial-like stone arrangements” aligns almost perfectly with the sunset direction of the summer solstice.
This suggests the possibility that the Jomon people were deeply aware of the movements of celestial bodies and possessed a high level of astronomical knowledge, which points to the existence of an intellectual civilization that goes beyond mere artistry and faith.

Kiusu Earthwork Burial Circles – A Spiritual Symbol Unique to Hokkaido

Located in Chitose City, Hokkaido, the Kiusu Earthwork Burial Circles are a group of communal burial grounds surrounded by massive earthwork mounds, built in the Late Jomon period.
Their unique structure, which differs from the stone circles in the Tohoku region, is a valuable example of the diversity of Hokkaido’s regional cultural sphere.
This site symbolizes the unique subsistence patterns of inland communities and the high level of spirituality involved in building such distinctive burial grounds for honoring the dead.

Jokoji Site – Evidence That Tells the Story of the Origins of Settlement

The Jokoji Site in Hakodate City, Hokkaido, is an early Jomon settlement that forms the foundation of Jomon culture.
Its most significant contribution is the confirmation that the appearance of durable pit dwellings allowed people to live in a single location for a long period and that residential areas were clearly separated from burial areas.
This is a crucial finding that proves that Jomon settled culture was established much earlier than previously thought.

Conclusion: From Jomon to the Future – Redefining Abundance

The “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku” are more than just historical artifacts.
This magnificent cultural heritage overturns the old notion that a sophisticated society cannot exist without a productive activity like agriculture. It proves that coexistence with a rich natural environment can foster a society that is mature both materially and spiritually.

Over more than 10,000 years, the Jomon people adapted to severe climate change and environmental shifts, building a sustainable society without depleting resources.
Their lives were filled with a spiritual richness that respected the cycle of life and fully enjoyed the bounty of nature.

The message this heritage conveys to the modern world is deeply universal.
The wisdom and spirituality that the Jomon people cultivated may offer a solution to the problems facing contemporary society, such as a lack of sustainability, a decline in spirituality, and the weakening of regional identity.
Their way of life shows us that material wealth is not the only source of happiness and gives us a hint for redefining what “true abundance” means.
Preserving this historical heritage for the future holds immeasurable value.