The Chuku-dogu figurine was discovered by a local farmer in 1975 while he was digging for potatoes.
The Ofune site nearby features remains of over 100 pit dwellings, some of which are among the largest ever discovered in Japan.
Jomon society in this region maintained complex trade networks that reached as far as the Japanese Alps for obsidian sourcing.
The facility is a key component of the 'Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan' UNESCO World Heritage property.
The Hakodate Jomon Culture Center is primarily known for housing Japan's first National Treasure, the 'Chuku-dogu' hollow clay figurine. This facility is located near the Ofune Site, a significant Jomon-period settlement preserved as a Special National Historic Site. The museum features an extensive collection of artifacts recovered from local archaeological excavations, illustrating the sophisticated lifestyle of Northern Japan's prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Displays demonstrate the transition from nomadic existence to semi-sedentary life facilitated by local environment exploitation. Visitors can engage in hands-on workshops, such as Jomon pottery making or clay figurine crafting, which are periodically hosted on-site. The building itself reflects regional architectural aesthetics, incorporating design elements that harmonize with the surrounding coastal and mountainous landscape of the Minamikayabe area.
The life-sized replica of the Chuku-dogu figurine located within the main exhibition gallery.
Combine your museum visit with a walk through the adjacent Ofune Site to see the excavated pit dwellings in situ.
Check the official website for rotating special exhibitions, as the museum frequently curates temporary displays on local archaeological findings.
Bring a translation app or use the provided multi-language signage, as some detailed historical descriptions are primarily in Japanese.
Do not attempt to visit without confirming the seasonal operating calendar, as the museum has specific weekly closure days that may shift.
Closed on Mondays; if a public holiday falls on a Monday, the museum is closed on the following day.
Refrain from using flash photography in galleries housing national treasures; maintain a quiet demeanor in the exhibition halls.
