Sannai-Maruyama Site

**Visit strategy:** Allocate 1.5-2 hours minimum. Start with the museum to understand Jomon chronology and see the artifact highlights (flame pottery, jade ornaments, dogū figurines). Then explore the outdoor reconstructed village (1 hour) — you can enter the pit dwellings and climb into the elevated storehouses. The six-pillar tower is the photo highlight; best shot from the grassy plaza in front with blue sky background. **Key exhibits:** The museum's star artifacts include a 'board-style dogū' (clay figurine with exaggerated features, 2,500 BCE) and a lacquered comb (one of the world's oldest lacquerware objects, 3,500 BCE). The pottery gallery shows the evolution of Jomon ceramics from simple cord-marked vessels to elaborate flame-style and crown-style pots. English descriptions are thorough. **Cultural context:** The term 'Jomon' means 'cord-marked' — referring to the rope-pattern decorations on pottery. Jomon people were hunter-gatherers who lived in settled villages supported by abundant fish, game, and wild plants. Sannai-Maruyama's size (500+ residents) and longevity (1,600 years of continuous occupation) challenge the assumption that agriculture is necessary for large settlements. The chestnut trees found on-site suggest managed forests for nut production — a form of proto-agriculture. **Photography:** The reconstructed village is photogenic in all seasons — green summer grass, autumn colors from surrounding trees, snow-covered winter scenes. The six-pillar tower against blue sky is the iconic shot (requires wide-angle lens 16-24mm). Early morning (9:00-10:00) or late afternoon (15:00-17:00) provides soft light. The site is rarely crowded except during Golden Week (late April-early May) and Obon (mid-August). **Nearby attraction:** Combine with Aomori Museum of Art. The museum features a sunken-courtyard design and houses contemporary art including Yoshitomo Nara's giant 'Aomori Dog' sculpture. Budget ¥510 for entry, allow 1 hour. **Souvenir:** The museum shop sells replicas of Jomon pottery (¥2,000-10,000), dogū figurines (¥500-5,000), and Jomon-inspired jewelry. The flame-style pottery mugs (¥1,500) are functional art pieces made by local ceramicists. **Educational value:** Sannai-Maruyama is exceptional for families and students interested in archaeology. The reconstructed dwellings and hands-on displays (you can touch replica pottery) make prehistoric life tangible. The site challenges Western narratives about civilization's origins — here is proof that complex societies existed without writing, agriculture, or metalworking.