Hokkaido Official Tourism Site HOKKAIDO LOVE!

A UNESCO World Heritage Jomon settlement, home to one of Japan's largest earthen mounds and remarkable artifacts that reveal a rich spiritual culture.

Located on a coastal terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Hakodate, the Kakinoshima Site is a major Jomon Period settlement inhabited for about 6,000 years. In 2021, it was inscribed as a component site of the UNESCO World Heritage property Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan.

The site preserves evidence of long-term habitation, including the resettlement of the area after volcanic ash from an eruption of Mt. Komagatake was deposited about 5,800 years ago. Its most notable feature is a vast earthen mound stretching more than 190 meters, one of the largest in Japan. Built over many generations, it is believed to have served as a ritual "sending-off place" where ceremonies were held. Together with the central Hill Structure, it provides insight into the spiritual practices of the time.

Excavations have uncovered remarkable artifacts, including clay tablets with foot impressions and lacquered pottery, highlighting Jomon craftsmanship and spiritual culture. Visitors can explore pit dwelling remains and hands-on facilities while enjoying the coastal breeze, gaining a glimpse into the lives and beliefs of the people who once lived here.