The Jomon Legacy: An Exclusive Expedition Through Ancient Niigata 3 days

Recommended Program

The Tokamachi City Museum: Home to National Treasures of the Jomon Era

The Sasayama Archaeological Site stands as a testament to an extraordinary millennium of human achievement, flourishing from approximately 5,500 to 4,300 years ago. This remarkable settlement has yielded an unprecedented collection of Jomon artefacts, with the magnificent Flame Pottery vessels, dating back 5,000 years, being its crowning glory.

The Tokamachi City Museum now houses this exceptional collection, including 928 artefacts that achieved the prestigious status of National Treasure in 1999—a first for Niigata Prefecture. Most notably, these Flame Pottery vessels represent the only Jomon pottery ever to be designated as National Treasures in Japan, a distinction that underscores their unprecedented artistic and historical significance.

These masterpieces are universally acclaimed as the pinnacle of Jomon artistic achievement, drawing scholars and connoisseurs from around the world. The museum offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness these extraordinary vessels in person—each one a testament to the sophisticated aesthetic sensibilities of our ancient ancestors.

For the discerning visitor, the Tokamachi City Museum provides an exclusive window into one of humanity’s most remarkable artistic and cultural achievements, presenting these treasures in a setting worthy of their exceptional status.

The Niigata Prefectural Centre for Archaeological Operations: A Premier Repository of Ancient Japanese Heritage

Housing the region’s most extensive collection of archaeological treasures, this prestigious institution stands guardian to artefacts recovered from over 13,000 archaeological sites across Niigata Prefecture. The Centre’s comprehensive collection of Jomon period artefacts offers unparalleled insights into this remarkable civilisation.

In a unique behind-the-scenes experience, visitors can observe professional archaeologists and conservators at work through specially designed viewing galleries, witnessing the meticulous process of preserving these priceless cultural treasures.

The Centre’s strategic location adjacent to the nationally designated Furutsu Hachiman-yama Site, a significant Yayoi period settlement, and the Furutsu Hachiman-yama Burial Mound creates an exceptional opportunity for discerning visitors to trace Japan’s fascinating cultural evolution. This carefully curated journey through time reveals the dramatic transition from the Jomon period through the Yayoi era and into the Kofun period, offering a comprehensive understanding of Japan’s prehistoric cultural development.

This premier archaeological complex provides an exclusive window into Japan’s rich archaeological heritage, making it an essential destination for those seeking a deeper appreciation of ancient Japanese civilisation.

The Attractive Sights of Joetsu and Nagaoka.

Whilst our journey celebrates the Jomon legacy, we invite you to discover the refined cultural treasures of Niigata and Nagaoka. In Niigata, experience the Northern Culture Museum, housed in the magnificent former estate of the Ito family—once powerful landowners of the Echigo region. This architectural masterpiece offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of Japan’s aristocratic elite.

In Nagaoka, we present the distinguished Settaya district, a living testament to Japan’s rich brewing heritage. Since the Edo period, this historic quarter has flourished as a centre of traditional fermentation crafts, strategically positioned along the vital Shinano River trading routes.

The district’s master brewers, once official purveyors to the Nagaoka feudal domain, perfected the art of producing exceptional miso, soy sauce, and sake. Their legacy lives on in the district’s magnificent warehouses and brewing facilities, dating from the Edo and Meiji periods (1603-1912), which stand as elegant monuments to a golden age of craftsmanship.

These carefully preserved structures, with their distinctive architecture and rich historical significance, offer discerning visitors an authentic journey into Japan’s sophisticated merchant culture. Each building tells a story of artistic refinement, commercial acumen, and timeless tradition.