Hachinohe is known for the abundance of relics from the Jōmon period (circa 10,000 B.C. - circa 300 B.C.), and among the findings are the well-known ruins of Korekawa from the late Jōmon period. This museum introduces life from the Jōmon period using models and videos. In the information center are computer terminals to help obtain more detailed references of the ruins and findings. The adjacent Korekawa Archaeological Museum and Hachinohe History and Folk Museum display findings as well.
We were pretty confused when we got here because we entered the adjacent building first and were surprised it was free. We were looking for this statue=>
which is from the Jōmon period and considered a Japanese national treasure. Instead we found this--->
replica. We finally realized the big “bus station” we had been passing was the ACTUAL museum. I couldn’t take a picture of the actual national treasure because it was in a section of the museum where photographs are not allowed. I think it was worth it, the Jōmon pottery is exquisitely lacquered in red and black. It is amazing to see how rich the colors still are from so long ago!
Inside the museum the railings of the stairway are made of red nylon rope. The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them.
I felt the best part of the museum was the section that you had to pay to see and couldn’t take photographs. Not only is the national treasure there, but a hologram show which depicts life of the Jōmon people, red and black laquered pottery and jewelry and many Jōmon dolls. After seeing the national treasure, you can go to the “library” where there are many books about this era
Adults ¥250, senior high and university students ¥150, elementary and junior high students ¥50 / Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Closed Mondays (closed Tuesday if Monday falls on a holiday), closed last day of every month / 0178-38-9511
By Car
- Head towards Hachinohe. (Rt. 45)
- Take a right at the "Sega World" intersection. (Rt. 45)
- Take a right at the second traffic light, this is an one-way street.
- Take a left at the fourth traffic light, this is an one-way street. (Rt. 251)
- Take a left at the second traffic light, this is a T-intersection. (Rt. 11)
- Take a right at the first traffic light. (Rt. 11)
- Take a right at the second traffic light. (Rt. 138)
- Take a right at the second traffic light.
- The annex hall is the first large building on the left.
- The main hall is the second large building on the left. (Park here!)
By Bus
From Hachinohe station take the Hachinohe Shiei Bus for Mikka-machi. Get off at terminus (20 min. ride) and transfer to Nanbu Bus for Hachinohe Eigyo-sho via Nakaibayashi. Get off at Jomon Gakushu-kan (10 min. ride).
