14 Historic sites in Aomori worth your time

Explore a Jomon-era shell mound, a World Heritage site, revealing ancient life.

What it is

• A shell mound site from the Jomon period.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1944.
• Registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2021.
• Covers an area of approximately 14,000 square meters.

What to see

• Site on a hill 10 to 15 meters above sea level.
• One pit dwelling site detected during excavations.
• Unearthed Jomon pottery, stone tools, and bone tools.
• Excavated shells of Yamato Shijimi and Ishigai.
• Bones of fish, birds, and mammals have been found.
• Artifacts displayed at Tsugaru City Jomon Dwelling Exhibition Museum Karuko.

Read more about Tagoyano Shell Mound

Explore a significant Jomon-period settlement, home to iconic clay figures and a World Heritage site.

What it is

• A Jomon period settlement, founded in prehistoric times.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2021.
• Part of the 'Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan' group.

What to see

• A monument shaped like a Shakoki Dogu stands here.
• Excavated clay figures, masks, and pottery are Important Cultural Properties.
• Other excavated items are Aomori Prefecture Treasures.
• The Shakoki Dogu (goggle-eyed clay figure) was unearthed here.
• Many artifacts are displayed at the Tsugaru City Jomon Museum.

Read more about Kamegaoka Stone Age Site

Explore ancient burial mounds, a National Historic Site, revealing early Japanese history and artifacts.

What it is

• A National Historic Site in Oirase Town, Aomori Prefecture.
• A cluster of 108 kofun (burial mounds) and 8 pit graves.
• Kofun date from the early 7th century to late 9th century.
• Designated a National Historic Site on July 26, 2007.

What to see

• See 108 late-period kofun, about 10 meters in diameter.
• View 8 pit graves within the cluster.
• Excavations unearthed swords, beads, and ornaments.
• Flat roof tiles were found here for the first time in Aomori.

Read more about Akōbō Kofun Cluster

Explore a Jomon period settlement site, a World Heritage property with ancient artifacts.

What it is

• A Jomon period settlement site.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1957.
• Registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2021.

What to see

• The Nakai, Oja, and Hotta ruins.
• Nakai ruins yielded pottery, stone tools, and lacquered artifacts.
• Oja ruins are the naming place for cylindrical pottery.
• Hotta ruins yielded pottery fragments and circular pit dwellings.
• Excavated artifacts are mainly housed at Korekawa Jomon Kan.

Read more about Korekawa Site

Ancient burial mounds from the 8th-9th centuries, offering a glimpse into early Japanese history.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds, also called Nejo Kofun Cluster.
• Dates from the late 8th to late 9th century.
• About 10 tumuli were confirmed in 1956.

What to see

• Three remaining circular tumuli, 10 to 12 meters in diameter.
• Remaining height of tumuli is 1.3 to 1.5 meters.
• Rectangular burial chambers contained gravel and charcoal.

Getting there

• About 3 minutes by car from Hachinohe IC.

Read more about Kashimazawa Kofun Cluster

Explore a large Jomon period settlement, a World Heritage site with ancient tools and pottery.

What it is

• A Jomon period settlement site, 5,500 to 4,000 years old.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1998 and 2015.
• Inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2021.
• One of the largest Jomon sites in the Tohoku region.

What to see

• The preserved historic park covers 30 hectares.
• See where bone and antler tools were made.
• Discover the origin of Enokibayashi pottery style.
• The site is on a 30-meter high plateau.

Official site

www.shichinohe-kankou.jp

Read more about Futatsumori Site

Explore a well-preserved Jomon-era shell mound and settlement, offering a glimpse into ancient life.

What it is

• A shell mound and settlement from the Early Jomon period.
• Designated a National Historic Site on May 25, 1981.

What to see

• Akamido-style pottery from the late Early Jomon period.
• Shell mounds, pottery, and pit dwellings were detected.
• Clams, surf clams, and mussels are common shells.
• Shell layers average 40-50 centimeters thick.
• Excavated items include pottery, stone tools, and bone tools.

Read more about Chōshichiyachi Shell Mound

Explore an ancient site with Japan's oldest Yayoi period paddy fields, revealing early rice cultivation.

What it is

• A middle Yayoi period archaeological site.
• Designated as a National Historic Site since 2000.
• Proved rice farming existed in the middle Yayoi period.

What to see

• Site of 656 ancient paddy fields.
• Evidence of Yayoi culture in Tsugaru Plain.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Konan Railway Inakadate Station.
• Near Tanbo Art Station.
• 20-minute drive from Kuroishi IC.

Read more about Tareyanagi Site

Explore Tosaminato, a National Historic Site, to uncover a medieval port's vibrant trade history.

What it is

• A historic port under the Ando clan.
• Flourished from early 13th to mid-15th centuries.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2005.
• A northern hub for trade routes in Japan.

What to see

• Site of a medieval port on Lake Jusanko's west bank.
• Excavation traces of trade with Korea and China.
• Three distinct districts: port, town, and temple.
• Evidence of multiple past tsunami events.

Read more about Tosaminato

Explore an ancient Jomon settlement featuring a large stone circle and pit dwelling remains.

What it is

• A Jomon period settlement site.
• Designated a national historic site in 2012.
• Part of the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan.
• Registered as a World Cultural Heritage in 2021.

What to see

• A large stone circle, 48.5 by 39.1 meters.
• Remains of a large pit dwelling, 13.77 by 12.8 meters.
• Artifacts displayed at Susono Area Sports and Culture Exchange Center.

Official site

www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp

Read more about Ōmori Katsuyama Site

Explore a large Jomon-period settlement ruin with reconstructed buildings and ancient artifacts.

What it is

• A large settlement ruin from the Jomon period.
• Designated a National Special Historic Site in 1997.
• Registered as a World Cultural Heritage in 2021.

What to see

• Pit dwellings and raised-floor buildings.
• A reconstructed three-story pillar-supported building.
• Jomon Jiyukan exhibition facility for artifacts.
• Over 1,900 National Important Cultural Properties.

Official site

sannaimaruyama.pref.aomori.jp

Read more about Sannai-Maruyama Site

Explore the world's oldest pottery and evidence of bows and arrows at this ancient archaeological site.

What it is

• A Paleolithic to Jomon period archaeological site.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2021.

What to see

• Jomon pottery, among the world's oldest.
• Stone arrowheads, indicating early bow and arrow use.
• Excavated stone axes and cores.
• A guidance facility, Mu-monkan, opened in 2024.

Official site

www.town.sotogahama.lg.jp

Read more about Ōdai Yamamoto I Site

Visit this rural grave site to explore the unique Japanese legend of Jesus Christ's final resting place.

What it is

• Claimed burial site of Jesus Christ.
• Discovered in 1935 by Takeuchi Kyomaro.
• Theory states Jesus escaped to Japan and died here.
• Became a tourist attraction after the 1970s occult boom.

What to see

• An existing mound claimed to be Christ's grave.

When to go

• Christ Festival is held annually in June.

Address

青森県三戸郡新郷村大字戸来字野月33-1 Map

Official site

www.vill.shingo.aomori.jp

Read more about grave of Jesus in Shingō

Sannobō Site is a medieval religious complex, offering a glimpse into Japan's spiritual past.

What it is

• A medieval religious site associated with the Andō clan.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2017.
• Buildings date from the mid-14th to mid-15th century.

What to see

• Remains of a shrine in Area A.
• Remains of a main hall, stage, and other structures in Area B.
• Remains of a Buddhist temple in Area C.

Read more about Sannobō Site