Location and Natural Environment of the Site
The Kamegaoka Site lies on gently elevated land between approximately 7 and 18 meters above sea level in the basin of the Iwaki River. In ancient times, the area was located near what was then Lake Jusan, providing the Jomon inhabitants with access to a rich natural environment.
Forests of deciduous broad-leaved trees once surrounded the settlement. The landscape provides an important clue to understanding how Jomon communities lived closely alongside nature and made use of resources from forests, wetlands, rivers, and nearby waterways.
The archaeological site is broadly divided into several areas. The Kameyama District occupies an elevated plateau extending eastward, while the Sawane and Ominozawa Districts spread through low-lying wetland areas to the north and south.
A wide variety of archaeological remains have been discovered throughout these areas, revealing different aspects of life and ritual during the Late Jomon Period.
A Large Community Burial Ground
The elevated plateau was used as a large communal burial ground. Numerous pit burials have been discovered, together with pottery and various grave goods such as beads and other ornaments.
These discoveries suggest that the people who lived here had developed strong traditions of honoring and commemorating the dead. The fact that the burial area continued to be used over a long period also indicates that beliefs connected with ancestors remained an important part of Late Jomon society.
Ritual Areas and Remarkable Artifacts
The low-lying wetland areas contained places where objects appear to have been intentionally deposited as part of ritual practices. Archaeologists have found large quantities of lacquered pottery, lacquerware, plant-based objects, clay figurines, and jade ornaments.
These artifacts provide valuable evidence of the sophisticated spiritual and material culture of the Jomon people.
The most famous discovery is the large Shakoki Dogu, unearthed in 1887. Its enormous eyes are its most striking feature, giving rise to the term “goggle-eyed clay figurine.” Today, it is one of the most internationally recognized objects associated with Jomon culture.
The History of Archaeological Discoveries
Interest in the Site Since the Edo Period
The Kamegaoka Site was already known during Japan’s Edo Period. In 1622, Tsugaru Nobuhira, the second lord of the Tsugaru domain, attempted to construct Kamegaoka Castle in the area. During the work, clay figurines and pottery were discovered.
The castle project was eventually abandoned following the implementation of the One Castle per Domain policy, but the archaeological finds attracted considerable attention.
Objects from the site became known as “Kamegaoka-mono,” or “Kamegaoka objects,” and were prized by collectors and enthusiasts. Some were reportedly transported as far as the Netherlands. Unfortunately, unregulated excavation during this period resulted in the removal of a huge number of artifacts, with more than 10,000 pieces of pottery believed to have been taken away.
Modern Archaeological Research
Systematic archaeological research began in the Meiji Period. An academic investigation was launched in 1889, followed by further research in 1895 that revealed the presence of peat-preserved archaeological layers, an important discovery for Japanese archaeology.
Excavations continued after World War II. Research conducted in 1980 in the plateau and valley areas uncovered numerous artifacts, including the Shakoki Dogu, lacquerware, and wooden objects.
Preservation and Exhibition of the Artifacts
Many of the artifacts discovered at the site are displayed at the Tsugaru City Jomon Museum, where visitors can learn more about the archaeological discoveries and the richness of Jomon culture.
The famous Shakoki Dogu was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 1957. It is now preserved in the Tokyo National Museum.
Monuments related to the Shakoki Dogu and the archaeological site can also be found around Kamegaoka, serving as familiar local symbols and reminders of the area’s extraordinary prehistoric heritage.
The Development of Kamegaoka Culture
The pottery and clay figurines discovered at the Kamegaoka Site are characterized by sophisticated geometric designs, elaborate forms, and highly developed lacquer techniques.
These artistic traditions spread across the Tohoku region and southern Hokkaido, eventually forming a cultural sphere known as Kamegaoka Culture. It is regarded as one of the representative cultural traditions of the Late Jomon Period, and its influence is thought to have extended as far as central and western parts of Japan.
Jomon Art as an Expression of Creativity
The artifacts from Kamegaoka have long been valued not only as archaeological materials but also as works of art. During the Edo Period, “Kamegaoka objects” were already collected and appreciated for their beauty and unusual forms.
Especially striking are the lacquered pottery and clay figurines. Their sophisticated decoration and carefully crafted forms demonstrate that artistic expression played an important role in Jomon society.
For modern visitors, these objects offer a fascinating opportunity to reconsider the Jomon people not simply as prehistoric hunter-gatherers, but as communities with complex beliefs, advanced craftsmanship, and a strong sense of aesthetics.
Visiting the Kamegaoka Stone Age Site Today
Experiencing Jomon Culture in Tsugaru
Today, the Kamegaoka Stone Age Site is an important cultural and tourism destination in Tsugaru City. Although much of the archaeological site is experienced through its landscape and historical interpretation, nearby facilities allow visitors to learn more about the discoveries made here.
At the nearby Jomon Dwelling Exhibition Museum Karco, visitors can see a replica of the Shakoki Dogu along with archaeological artifacts and exhibits introducing the lifestyle of the Jomon people.
Another memorable sight can be found at Kizukuri Station on the JR Gono Line. A huge monument modeled on the Shakoki Dogu stands in front of the station and has become one of the best-known symbols of the town.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 2021, the Kamegaoka Stone Age Site became part of the UNESCO World Heritage property known as the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan.
The World Heritage property consists of 17 archaeological sites located across Hokkaido and the northeastern prefectures of Aomori, Iwate, and Akita. These sites collectively demonstrate the development of Jomon society over thousands of years and provide evidence of communities that maintained settled lifestyles while living in close relationship with the natural environment.
Other World Heritage sites in Aomori Prefecture include Sannai Maruyama Site, Komakino Stone Circle, Omori-Katsuyama Stone Circle, Korekawa Stone Age Site, Tagoyano Shell Midden, Odai Yamamoto Site, and Futatsumori Shell Midden.
Among them, Kamegaoka is especially notable for the sophisticated ritual objects, lacquerware, pottery, and clay figurines associated with the Late Jomon Period.
Discover the Spiritual and Artistic World of the Jomon People
The Kamegaoka Stone Age Site offers a unique glimpse into the world of people who lived in northern Japan thousands of years ago. The remains of communal burials, ritual deposits, lacquerware, ornaments, pottery, and clay figurines reveal a society with a rich spiritual life and remarkable technical skills.
The Shakoki Dogu is perhaps the most famous symbol of this heritage. Its mysterious expression and highly stylized form continue to fascinate people around the world, while the wider collection of Kamegaoka artifacts demonstrates the sophistication of Late Jomon art.
Visiting the site is not simply a journey into the distant past. It is an opportunity to think about how people lived with nature, expressed their beliefs, commemorated their ancestors, and created objects of extraordinary beauty long before the emergence of written history in Japan.
As part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kamegaoka provides an especially valuable destination for travelers interested in Japanese history, archaeology, traditional art, and the deep cultural roots of northern Japan.