Guida
The Senishi Stone Age Site, located in Toyohira, Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, is a circular settlement site from the mid-Jomon period. Designated as a Special National Historic Site, it serves as a vital center for understanding the development of Jomon culture, especially when visited alongside the adjacent Senishi Jomon Archaeological Museum. The surrounding area is well-maintained as a historic park, where you can observe historical landscapes, museum exhibits, and reconstructed dwellings.
This site is renowned as a settlement from the mid-Jomon period. Archaeological surveys have identified over 200 locations of pit dwellings. The name is derived from the 'Senishi' (pointed stone), a pyramidal stone structure located to the south of the site. The region's development was supported by an abundance of natural resources, including flora, fauna, water, and obsidian—a crucial material for stone tools. Together with the Yosuke Ridge Site, it is a significant location for understanding the settlement structures of the Jomon era.
The most significant attraction is the collection of National Treasure clay figurines (Dogu) housed in the Senishi Jomon Archaeological Museum. The museum displays over 2,000 artifacts, including the famous 'Jomon Venus' (National Treasure No. 1) and the 'Masked Goddess' (designated in 2014), alongside various pottery and obsidian tools. In the historic park, visitors can also see several reconstructed pit dwellings at the Yosuke Ridge Site, providing a vivid look at how people lived in ancient settlements.
The museum (Senishi Jomon Archaeological Museum) is open from 9:00 to 17:00, with the last admission at 16:30. For strolling through the park and viewing the reconstructed dwellings, daytime with bright natural light is most suitable. While the surrounding scenery changes with the seasons, we recommend planning your visit around the museum's exhibition hours to ensure a full experience.
The Senishi Jomon Archaeological Museum offers hands-on clay experiences. Visitors can choose to create items such as clay whistles (dotue), clay bells (doture), or pottery. Additionally, the 'Sasa-buki' experience at Sasariyu involves inserting fresh bamboo leaves into the thatched roofs of the pit dwellings. These programs offer a deeper connection to the life and technology of the Jomon people. Please note that participation may require prior confirmation or age-specific details.
The site is surrounded by the rich natural beauty of the Yatsugatake foothills. Nearby, you can explore the Suwa Grand Shrine (including Kamisha Honmiya), one of Japan's oldest shrines, which forms part of historic pilgrimage routes. Other Jomon-related spots, such as the Nakatsubara Ruins (Nakatsubara Jomon Park), are also located in the vicinity.
Admission fees for the museum are 500 JPY for adults, 300 JPY for high school students, and 200 JPY for elementary and junior high school students. Please note that credit cards are NOT accepted; please prepare cash. Wi-Fi is available within the museum. For hands-on programs, prior reservation or phone confirmation is highly recommended. To protect the precious artifacts and the historic site, please follow all museum rules and avoid entering restricted areas.