The museum houses 1,116 items officially designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, the highest concentration of such artifacts in one location.
The collection features the 'Shakado Dogu,' a collection of over 3,000 clay figurines, making it the most significant repository of Jomon-era anthropomorphic art in Japan.
The artifacts were originally discovered during the 1980s while clearing land for the Chuo Expressway construction.
The Shakado site itself represents one of the largest settlements discovered in the Kofu Basin, spanning the Early to Middle Jomon periods.
The museum displays a distinctive 'Hanakuchi' (mouth-shaped) ceramic vessel, which is a rare artifact type indicative of specific regional Jomon ritual practices.
The Shakado Museum of Jomon Culture is a specialized archaeological facility located on the site of the Shakado ruins in Yamanashi Prefecture. The museum was established to house and display approximately 1,116 excavated Jomon period artifacts designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. It is uniquely recognized for holding the largest collection of Jomon clay figurines, known as 'dogu,' in the country. The collection includes over 3,000 intact or reconstructed clay figurines representing various styles from the Middle Jomon period. The facility serves as a primary repository for items unearthed during the construction of the Chuo Expressway. Its permanent exhibition details the lifestyle, burial practices, and artistic expressions of Jomon people who inhabited the Kofu Basin over 4,000 years ago.
The central exhibition hall featuring the large glass case filled with hundreds of varied Jomon dogu figurines.
Allocate time to walk the adjacent outdoor area where reconstructed pit dwellings offer context to the museum displays.
Focus on the detailed interpretive boards which explain the evolution of the dogu figurines, as many labels are provided in multiple languages.
Check the museum's rotating special exhibition schedule, as only a fraction of the vast 3,000-piece collection can be displayed simultaneously.
Do not attempt to walk to the museum from the nearest train station, as the ascent is steep and not designed for pedestrians; use a local taxi.
Closed on Tuesdays and during the year-end and New Year holidays.
Photography is restricted in specific galleries containing national treasures; look for signs. Maintain a quiet volume as the space is for scholarly reflection.
