aventuro Back to map A
Museums #17 in Kōfu

Yamanashi Prefecture Archaeological Museum

4.2 · 508 reviews
Quiet, educational, and reflective.
Yamanashi Prefecture Archaeological Museum, 923 Shimosonecho, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-1508, Japan
Interesting facts
1

The museum serves as the center for the 'Fudoki-no-Oka' park, which preserves numerous kofun (ancient burial mounds) in their original landscape context.

2

The collection includes high-quality examples of flame-style Jomon pottery, reflecting the specific artistic output of the region 5,000 years ago.

3

The park surrounding the museum contains a reconstructed ancient dwelling, allowing visitors to visualize domestic life during the prehistoric era.

4

It acts as a primary facility for the analysis and preservation of artifacts unearthed from the Sone Hill burial cluster.

5

The facility hosts specialized workshops for traditional crafts, including magatama (comma-shaped bead) making.

Overview

The Yamanashi Prefecture Archaeological Museum is a dedicated research and exhibition center focusing on the Jomon, Yayoi, and Kofun period history of the Kai region. It is situated within the expansive Kai-no-Kuni-no-Mori Fudoki-no-Oka park, a historical site containing several restored burial mounds. The museum maintains a large collection of excavated artifacts, including significant earthenware and ornamental items recovered from local burial sites. A major feature of the exhibition is the collection of Jomon pottery showcasing intricate designs found in the central highlands of Japan. The facility serves as the primary repository for archaeological findings discovered during regional development projects. It also provides educational resources on ancient architectural styles and local burial customs. The museum grounds integrate historical monuments with botanical elements, allowing visitors to walk between indoor exhibits and outdoor excavation displays. The museum building itself is designed to harmonize with the surrounding park landscape.

Photo spot

The elevated viewing points within the park offering a perspective of the burial mounds against the backdrop of the Kofu Basin.

Insider tips

Walk the outdoor park trails first to view the physical burial mounds before entering the museum to see the corresponding artifacts.

Inquire at the information desk about temporary exhibitions, as these often feature newly excavated items from recent local digs.

Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding park, as the indoor galleries are small and can be viewed quickly.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to walk the entire park without checking a map, as the hill terrain is larger than it appears from the museum entrance.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a public holiday) and during the year-end/New Year period.

Etiquette

Refrain from touching artifacts, use of flash photography is typically prohibited inside galleries, and maintain a quiet voice in exhibit halls.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Spring or autumn, to comfortably walk the outdoor park and burial mound trails.
Address
Yamanashi Prefecture Archaeological Museum, 923 Shimosonecho, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-1508, Japan
35.594, 138.583
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsFlame-style Jomon pottery and artifacts from the Sone Hill kofun burial mounds.
Outdoor featuresRestored burial mounds and reconstructed prehistoric dwellings.

Frequently asked

Plan for about 1.5-2 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Spring or autumn, to comfortably walk the outdoor park and burial mound trails..

The elevated viewing points within the park offering a perspective of the burial mounds against the backdrop of the Kofu Basin.

Close by you'll find Yamanashiken Sonekyuryo Park, Kai Choushizuka Burial Mound, JIT Recycle Ink Stadium.