Sannai Maruyama Site

特別史跡　三内丸山遺跡

4.3Est. 90Aomori, Tohoku

JTA ApprovedLocal Pick

Overview

Traces of pit dwellings, foundations of large structures, mounds containing large quantities of earthenware, burial areas, and clay mining pits for pottery production tell much about prehistoric life.

Sannai Maruyama in Aomori is one of Japan's largest Jomon settlement sites, occupied for over 1,700 years from around 3900 to 2200 BCE. Archaeologists have identified more than 500 pit dwelling foundations, including some stretching up to 32 meters that may have served as communal spaces. Separate burial areas for adults and infants have been identified; adult graves line paths through the settlement while infant remains were interred in clay jars near a large earthen mound. Artifacts made from jade, amber, and obsidian point to trade networks reaching 500 kilometers away. The Sannai Maruyama Jomon Culture Center at the site entrance features a six-meter wall embedded with over 5,000 pot shards and a window where visitors can watch archaeologists restoring earthenware vessels.

Local tips

The largest Jomon-period settlement site in Japan, occupied for approximately 1,500 years between 5,900 and 4,200 years ago. Excavations since 1992 have uncovered over 1,700 pit dwellings, storage pits, and ceremonial structures. The reconstructed six-pillar building is the symbol of the site, built using chestnut wood with post holes spaced 4.2 meters apart with unusual precision. The site was added to the Jomon Prehistoric Sites UNESCO inscription in 2021. A museum on-site holds artifacts including clay figurines and lacquerware. 20 minutes from Aomori Station by bus.

Practical info

Japanese name: 特別史跡　三内丸山遺跡
Nearest station: Aomori Station (15 min bus)
Payment: Cards accepted
Reservations: not required

Accessibility

Wheelchair entranceWheelchair parking

Good for

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