[Aomori Prefecture] Let's go on a journey to see clay figures! Introducing highlights and spots!

When many people think of Aomori Prefecture, they think of apples, the Nebuta Festival, tuna, and the Seikan Tunnel. However, there may be few people who imagine that clay figurines are from Aomori Prefecture.

In fact, in addition to apples and festivals, Aomori Prefecture is also a place where many clay figurines have been unearthed. Aomori Prefecture also has the highest number of unearthed clay figurines, with 2,415 confirmed to have been unearthed as of 2016.

This time, we will introduce spots related to clay figurines throughout Aomori Prefecture. Please use this article as a reference for your outing.

Sannai Maruyama ruins

Over 2,000 clay figurines have been unearthed at the Sannai Maruyama Ruins, which has been selected as a World Cultural Heritage Site. In addition to the clay figurines, remains of pit dwellings and food such as chestnuts, walnuts, and fish bones have been unearthed, making this a spot that lets you imagine what life was like during the Jomon period.

Approximately 1,700 excavated items, including 500 important cultural properties, are on display in the permanent exhibition room. In particular, the large plate-shaped clay figurine, which looks like it has arms spread out in the shape of a cross, is about 32cm tall and is a particularly noteworthy exhibit.

Even if you don't know much about history, you can ask the volunteer guide Sannai Maruyama Support Team to explain it to you in detail.

In addition, at the in-house restaurant, you can enjoy rare gourmet dishes such as ``Jomon Udon'' made with chestnuts, acorns, and Japanese yam, and ``Dogu Parfait'' containing cookies with clay figure designs.

INFORMATION

• Name: Sannai Maruyama Ruins
• Location: 305 Maruyama, Sannai, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 017-766-8282
• URL: Sannai Maruyama ruins official website
• Admission fee: General 410 yen / High school and university students 200 yen / Free for junior high school students and under
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: 4th Monday of every month (the following day if Monday is a holiday), December 30th to January 1st

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Korekawa Jomonkan

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Korekawa Jomonkan, located in Hachinohe City, exhibits clay figurines with their hands in the palms of their hands and clay figurines with their cheeks resting on their hands. Gassho clay figurines have been designated as national treasures and are characterized by their hands clasped together on their knees in a posture similar to a sitting position.

Measuring 19.8 cm in height, 14.2 cm in width, and 15.2 cm in depth, only one Gassho Dogu is displayed in the National Treasure Exhibition Room within the museum.

In addition, the ``Jomon Beauty Corner'' in the museum displays lacquered earthenware and lacquerware, as well as earthenware and stone products excavated from the Korekawa Nakai ruins. You can get a feel for the aesthetic sense and values ​​of the Jomon period from the actual excavated items.

INFORMATION

• Name: Korekawa Jomonkan
• Location: 1 Korekawa Yokoyama, Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0178-38-9511
• URL: Korekawa Jomonkan official website
• Admission fee: General 250 yen / High school and university students 150 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 50 yen
• Business hours: 9:00-17:00
• Closed: Mondays, the day after national holidays/substitute holidays, year-end and New Year holidays (12/27-1/4)

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JR Gono Line Kizukuri Station

When sightseeing, be sure to stop by Kizukuri Station on the JR Gono Line. Embedded in the wooden station is a gigantic clay figurine affectionately known as Shako-chan.

It is modeled after a clay figurine excavated from the city, and at approximately 17 meters in height, it has an outstanding presence. About 3 minutes before the train arrives, you can see the ``Welcome Beam'' that blinks to notify you of the arrival of the train.

INFORMATION

• Name: JR Gono Line Wooden Station
• Location: 10 Kizo Fusamatsu, Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0173-42-2110
• URL: JR East official website

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Jomon Dwelling Exhibition Museum Calco

At Karuko, the Jomon Dwelling Exhibition Museum, located a 15-minute walk from JR Kozukuri Station, you can see elaborate replicas of shading clay figurines.

The shading clay figurine was excavated from the Kamegaoka ruins, about 10km away from the museum, and is characterized by its eyes shaped like goggles.

Additionally, there is a large pit building from the late Jomon period inside the museum, allowing you to imagine what life was like for people at that time.

INFORMATION

• Name: Jomon Dwelling Exhibition Museum Calco
• Location: 59-1 Kizo Wakamori, Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0173-42-6490
• URL: Tsugaru City JOMON portal site
• Admission fee: General 200 yen / High school and university students 100 yen / Elementary and junior high school students 50 yen
• Business hours: 9:00 to 16:00 (*Closed until April 20, 2020)
• Closed: Mondays, the day after national holidays and substitute holidays, New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)

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Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum

The Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum, located on the Shimokita Peninsula in Aomori Prefecture, displays clay figurines that are also affectionately known as "Jomon Kurara."

As the name suggests, it is a rare clay figurine that stands on its own with two legs.

There is also a red lacquered wooden bowl, said to be Japan's oldest mother-of-pearl craftwork, on display, and you can see the decorative culture using conch shells that is unique to coastal regions.

INFORMATION

• Name: Noheji Town History and Folklore Museum
• Location: 1-3 Noheji, Noheji-cho, Kamikita-gun, Aomori Prefecture
• Phone number: 0175-64-9494
• URL: Noheji Town official website
• Admission fee: General 210 yen / High school and university students 100 yen / Elementary and junior high school students free
• Business hours: 9:00-16:00
• Closed: Mondays, the day after national holidays and substitute holidays, New Year holidays (December 29th to January 3rd)

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Experience the world of clay figures with your own eyes

This time we introduced clay figurines that you can see in Aomori Prefecture. Aomori Prefecture is a land where over 2,000 clay figurines have been unearthed.

Each clay figurine has a different shape, and some are delicately worked. Why not experience the world of clay figurines, which becomes more and more profound the more you know about them?