Omiyama Archaeological Site is an important archaeological site in Kawakami Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture. The site preserves the remains of a settlement dating from the Middle Jomon period, approximately 4,500 to 5,000 years ago.
Built on a plateau more than 1,300 meters above sea level, the site is known as one of the highest-altitude circular settlements from the Jomon period in Japan. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1966 and is also part of the Japan Heritage story “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in the Starry Central Highlands”, which introduces the distinctive prehistoric culture that flourished around the Yatsugatake region.
The archaeological site lies on a relatively flat area on the southern foothills of Mount Tenguyama and the southeastern foothills of Mount Akazurayama. It faces the right bank of the Chikuma River and is surrounded by forests and mountain landscapes.
For people living thousands of years ago, the location would have offered access to water, plants, animals and other resources. Despite the challenging high-altitude environment, the Jomon people developed ways to establish a long-term settlement in this mountainous landscape.
The site was rediscovered in 1953 during the development of a forest road. Since then, local tourism organizations and the village education authorities have carried out eight rounds of archaeological excavation.
Excavations have revealed approximately 50 pit dwellings, including houses arranged in a distinctive circular settlement pattern. Of these, 25 dwellings date from the middle part of the Middle Jomon period, while 19 date from its later phase. Seven additional structures have not yet been assigned to a specific period.
Tens of thousands of fragments and examples of Jomon pottery and stone tools have also been recovered. Some of these artifacts have unusual shapes and designs, offering valuable insight into the artistic traditions and everyday life of prehistoric communities in the Japanese mountains.
Two reconstructed pit dwellings stand on the archaeological site, allowing visitors to experience the type of homes used by the Jomon people.
These semi-subterranean houses were built by combining wood, earth and other natural materials. Their design was adapted to the local environment and helped create a comfortable living space through the changing seasons.
Visitors can enter the reconstructed dwellings and imagine how families gathered around a central fire, prepared food, made tools and lived closely with the surrounding natural environment.
Enter full-scale reconstructed dwellings and gain a more tangible sense of how people lived thousands of years ago.
Jomon-themed activities and workshops, including traditional fire-making experiences, may also be offered depending on the season and program schedule.
The quiet natural surroundings make the site particularly suitable for experiencing the connection between archaeological history and the mountain landscape.
Among the artifacts associated with the site, one of the most distinctive is a human-face-shaped incense burner-style vessel, also known as a suspended-handled vessel.
Its unusual face-like design has earned it the informal nickname “Ultraman pottery” because of its resemblance to the famous Japanese science-fiction character. While the nickname is modern, the artifact itself offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistic expression and possible ritual practices of the Jomon period.
Important artifacts from the Omiyama Archaeological Site, including this remarkable vessel, are preserved and displayed at the Kawakami Village Cultural Center.
The Kawakami Village Cultural Center is a multipurpose cultural facility that introduces the history of Kawakami Village from the Paleolithic period through modern times. It houses archaeological materials recovered from the Omiyama site and provides a deeper understanding of the region’s prehistoric heritage.
The permanent exhibition explains the archaeological discoveries and excavation results through artifacts, reconstructed models and visual materials. These exhibits help visitors imagine the daily lives of people who lived in the region thousands of years ago.
The cultural center features a permanent exhibition area displaying archaeological artifacts and reconstructed models. It also includes a library and music hall, serving as a wider cultural hub for the local community.
Programs designed for children and hands-on activities may also be offered, making the center an accessible introduction to Jomon history for families.
Omiyama Archaeological Site forms part of the Japan Heritage story known as “Jomon Prehistoric Sites in the Starry Central Highlands.” The designation brings together archaeological sites around the foothills of the Yatsugatake Mountains that reveal the distinctive culture of Jomon communities.
The highland environment is particularly significant. At an elevation of more than 1,300 meters, the site demonstrates how prehistoric people adapted to a mountain environment with cold winters and limited growing seasons.
The surrounding mountains and clear night skies also provide a powerful connection to the landscape in which these communities lived. The archaeological remains offer a glimpse not only into their technology and daily life, but also into a prehistoric worldview shaped by nature and the changing seasons.
The site is located in the Omiyama area of Kawakami Village, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture.
From Shinano-Kawakami Station on the JR Koumi Line, the archaeological site can be reached by car in approximately 15 minutes. Because the site is located in a mountainous area, traveling by car is the most convenient option. Parking is available.
Omiyama Archaeological Site offers a rare opportunity to encounter the remains of a Jomon settlement in a high-altitude mountain environment. Standing among the forests and mountains of Kawakami Village, it is possible to imagine people gathering around fires, creating pottery and tools, and building communities here around 5,000 years ago.
The reconstructed dwellings make the ancient settlement easier to visualize, while the artifacts displayed at the Kawakami Village Cultural Center provide a closer look at Jomon craftsmanship and daily life.
For travelers interested in Japanese history, archaeology, prehistoric culture, and mountain landscapes, Omiyama provides a different perspective on Japan—one that reaches far beyond the country’s better-known temples, castles and historic towns.
A visit here can be combined with exploring the natural scenery of Kawakami Village and the wider Yatsugatake region, creating a memorable journey through both the deep history and beautiful landscapes of the Japanese highlands.