Exploring Aomori’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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Aomori
Source: Japan Guide
Aomori is a land where majestic natural landscapes stand alongside a history stretching back more than 10,000 years. Among its treasures are several key locations within the Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan, a collection of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that spans four prefectures.
In this guide, we’ll take you through Aomori’s UNESCO-listed sites and show you why they deserve a visit.
What Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is recognised for its “Outstanding Universal Value” to the world, whether cultural, historical, or natural. Cultural sites, in particular, must demonstrate exceptional significance, such as being a unique testimony to a cultural tradition or reflecting a significant era in our collective story.
Japan invests heavily in preserving these places, ensuring that future generations can continue to experience their beauty, their lessons, and their stories.
The Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan
In 2021, UNESCO inscribed the Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan onto the World Heritage list. This collective designation includes 17 archaeological sites across Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, and Akita. Aomori is home to some of the largest and best-preserved examples, offering rare insights into a prehistoric culture that endured for more than 10,000 years.
Visiting these places feels like stepping into the lives of ancient communities, where people built homes and shaped traditions that continue to echo through time.
Ready to explore? These UNESCO-listed sites in Aomori reveal the heart of the Jōmon world.
1. Sannai-Maruyama Site (Aomori City)
Source: Japan Guide
The Sannai-Maruyama Site is the largest and best-preserved Jōmon settlement discovered in Japan. Once a thriving village, it contained more than 700 structures, including longhouses, storage buildings, roads, and even trash and burial pits that reveal how people lived and organised their community thousands of years ago.
Today, visitors can step inside full-scale reconstructions, some of them impressively large, and walk among areas where original excavation sites remain visible. At the Jōmon Jiyūkan (Park Center), artifacts unearthed from the site are on display, giving a vivid picture of daily life. Guests can also join hands-on programs such as Jōmon-inspired craft making, turning history into an interactive and memorable experience.
2. Komakino Site (Aomori City)
Source: Amazing AOMORI
The Komakino Site is one of Japan’s largest stone circles and stands out for its distinctive construction method. Unlike other archaeological sites where stones are arranged flat, here many were set vertically in an oval shape with flat stones placed on either side to create a three-dimensional wall. This unique design, known as the “Komakino style” arrangement, is considered rare in Japan and highlights the site’s ceremonial importance.
Archaeologists have also uncovered traces of daily life such as pit dwellings, along with more than 400 triangular stone slabs that are characteristic of this site. These slabs are believed to have been used in ritual spaces where people gathered for ceremonies, giving us a glimpse into the spiritual practices of the Jōmon people.
Nearby, the Jōmon Learning House Komakino-kan provides a deeper introduction to the site. Housed in a former elementary school, it features excavated artifacts, detailed exhibits, and educational displays that make the history accessible to visitors of all ages.
3. Korekawa Site (Hachinohe City)
Source: Amazing AOMORI
Covering an area of about 376,000 square meters, the Korekawa Site was designated a National Historic Site in 1957. Sometimes referred to as the “Korekawa Stone Age Site,” it is made up of three distinct areas: the Nakai Site, the Ichioji Site, and the Hotta Site. Together, they offer one of the most comprehensive windows into the Jōmon period in northern Japan.
More than 4,000 artifacts of exceptional quality have been excavated here, many of which are displayed at the Korekawa Archaeological Institution, also known as the Jōmon Kan. Among its highlights is the renowned Gassho Dogū, a clay figurine with clasped hands that was designated a National Treasure in 2009. Other finds include lacquered items, finely crafted pottery, and intricately shaped figurines that showcase the artistry and sophistication of the Jōmon people.
In addition to its permanent displays, the museum organises rotating exhibitions and themed presentations throughout the year. Visitors can also join hands-on workshops and lectures that bring the Jōmon legacy to life, making the Korekawa Site an engaging destination.
Recognised by UNESCO for their universal value, Aomori’s Jōmon heritage sites represent one of Japan’s most important cultural legacies. They are more than destinations but experiences that connect the past with the present.
Planning a trip to Aomori’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Let us help you create the perfect itinerary. Contact us now!
And don’t forget to check out our other travel guides here for more amazing destinations across Japan.
