Tokyo Prefecture
SITES
Higashiyama Kaizuka Koen A small children's park in Meguro City, walking distance from Ikejiri-Ohashi station on the Tokyu Shin-Tamagawa line, one stop from Shibuya: displays a reconstructed Jomon-period house on the site of an archeological excavation of kaizuka (shell mound).
On the grounds of Yoyogi-Hachiman shrine, next to Yoyogi Park in Shinjuku, a circular, thatched Jomon house has been recreated to mark where people lived 4,500 years ago. The chrine gate is on Yamate-dori, a short walk from Yoyogi-Hachiman station on Odakyu Line, or Yoyogi Koen station on Chiyoda Line (from Sumiko Enbutsu, "Then & Now", Japan Times 3.12.04).
Irugi-jinja An early Jomon shellmound is located at Irugi Shrine, a short walk from Osaki Station on the JR Yamanote Line. At the time of occupation, the sea reached up what is now Meguro Valley, and the site lay close to the sea shore. Sumiko Enbutsu suggests a good walking route in this area in her column, "Then and Now" (search for Togoshi in Japan Times, 17th July 2003).
Ohmori Shell Mound Another Jomon shell mound marked by a sign, short walk from Ohmori Station on the Keihin Touhouku Line, a short distance south of Tokyo Station.
MUSEUMS
Aizu Museum of Waseda University has Jomon and other archaeological materials from the university's own excavations. Open Mon.-Fri. (10 am - 5 pm), Sat. (10 am - 2 pm) (not during university holidays). Location is not indicated on website, and the museum has more than one campus (see campus map). Try phoning 03-3203-4141 or fax to 03-3202-8583 (Nishiwaseda Campus).
Hachiro Yuasa Memorial Museum, on the campus of the International Christian University (ICU), has a remarkable bilingual display of archaeological remains from the Palaeolithic to the Jomon eras have been found from sites located throughout the ICU campus. The display includes a vertical section of Kanto ash deposits that helps explain much of the stratigraphic history of the Tokyo region. Visit the museum and then walk around the beautiful university campus to get a sense of what the Tokyo landscape must have been like in ancient times. The Museum is open to the public (see details at website link above), and easily reached via the Chuo railway line. Address: ICU 10-2, Osawa 3-chome, Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181-8585. (PJM 3/03)
Kokugakuin University Archaeology Museum Displays Jomon pottery, stone pieces and shell jewelry, ranges from pre-ceramic to early historical times, (also has items from China, Korea, and North America). Access: Kokugakuin Daigaku, 9 Wakagi-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo (stop at Shibuya Station). Free, open 9am-5pm, Mon-Sat. Tel. (03) 3401 3101.
Meiji University Archaeology Museum (Meiji Daigaku Kokogaku Hakubutsukan) has a beautiful display Palaeolithic, Jomon and Yayoi materials excavated by the university in the Kanto and other regions of Japan. A small museum shop is attached, with archaeological literature and souvenirs, including replicas of obsidian glass points and flake tools. Open Mon-Fri, 10 am -4.30 pm). Located in Chiyoda-ku; Ochanomizu Station (subway, and Chuo Railway) is about 200m from the university, and the museum is located in the first building of a modern complex on the right, heading up Meidai-dori from the station. Tel. 03-3296-4448, fax 03-3296-4365.
Tokyo National Museum The Japanese Archaeology gallery displays a rich collection of Jomon ceramics from around Japan, including numerous pots and dogu (clay figurines). The lack of context in the display is a pity. The most wonderful piece may be the simple flattened oval of baked clay in which the full footprint of a small child can be seen. Access: Ueno Park, a short walk from the Park Exit at Ueno Station (follow map outside the station) (PJM 18.7.03).