Shimoyakebe Site (Hakken-no-mori)
Shimoyakebe Site
下宅部遺跡（下宅部遺跡はっけんのもり）
A wetland site where Jomon people's “lacquer craft” survives — its finds are a national Important Cultural Property.
highlights
Highlights & things to do
A wetland site in Tamako-cho on the south side of Hachikokuyama Woods, mainly from the late–final Jomon period (roughly 2,700–4,000 years ago). Excavations from 1996 to 2002 yielded over 300,000 items.
Materials revealing the full chain of lacquer craft — from tapping the sap to processing and application — were found, and 392 finds centered on lacquerware were designated a national Important Cultural Property in 2020.
Because it is a wetland, wood and seeds were well preserved, making it a valuable site for understanding how people used plants and lived at the time.
Part of it is now preserved underground as “Shimoyakebe Hakken-no-mori,” an open archaeological park and resting spot. The finds are exhibited and stored at “Hachikokuyama Taiken-no-Sato,” about 5 minutes' walk away.
photos
Photo gallery
Knowing Jomon people once stood here working with lacquer suddenly makes the ground beneath your feet feel precious. For history lovers, I hope you'll walk it together with Hachikokuyama.
About ambassador Iku →
