Exploring the Secrets of 10,000 Years of Peaceful Jomon Era
In today’s world, we are witnessing frequent international conflicts and wars, threatening peace on a global scale. Additionally, we face global warming, extreme weather, and related food crises, which contribute to a growing sense of insecurity.
We believe the Jomon period in Japan holds the key to the peace people seek and the coexistence with nature needed to protect the planet. The Jomon period is unique in world history for having maintained peace for over 10,000 years.
In Hara Village, Nagano Prefecture and Yatsugatake, a region where the Jomon culture flourished, many messages left by Jomon people remain. This tour invites you to feel the spirit of peace the Jomon people cultivated, based on the messages they left behind. This special journey will allow you to touch the Jomon spirit and search for clues to a better future. Let’s discover the essence of peace by learning from the past.
What's included
Lunch
Dinner
Breakfast
Licensed Tour Guide
Transportation to/from meeting point
additional personal expenses
What to expect
Day 1: Day 1
Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum
1h · Admission ticket included
Learning About the Jomon Era at Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum, Chino City
The tour begins with a visit to Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum in Chino City, where you can explore the rich culture of the Jomon era and how the Jomon people-maintained peace for over 10,000 years. By examining the pottery and ornaments left behind, you will glimpse how they coexisted with nature and built peaceful lives.
1h 30m · Admission ticket included
Lunch
1h
Experiencing the “Five Spirits of Jomon”
2. The Spirit of Living in Harmony with Nature
he Jomon people valued coexistence with nature, Hunting and gathering were their primary means of livelihood. They practiced eco-friendly ways, coexisted with abundant natural resources, and gratefully received nature’s blessings. Living a stable life in harmony with nature was essential to them. This place is known as the homeland of the Jomon people, a place where they thrived for generations. We will visit the Akutsu Ruins, Japan’s largest site from the early Jomon period. Let’s experience the traditional methods of firing a bow and arrow and gathering nuts at the Akutsu Ruins, all while appreciating the surrounding nature.
1h 40m · Admission ticket included
Experiencing the “Five Spirits of Jomon”
5.The Spirit of Creativity
The Jomon people displayed abundant creativity in response to changes in their natural environment and the need to maintain social cohesion. The iconic Jomon pottery with artistic decorations is a testament to their creative spirit. Why did they add such intricate designs? The answer remains a mystery, but their imagination lives on through these artifacts. We will experience pottery-making, tapping into the rich creativity of the Jomon people.
2h · Admission ticket included
Savoring Jomon-Inspired Cuisine
The tour concludes with a special dinner experience called “Savoring Jomon”, where you will enjoy dishes made with fresh vegetables grown through natural farming methods in Hara Village. These dishes are modern interpretations of the foods eaten during the Jomon period. Just as the Jomon people cherished the gifts of nature through hunting and gathering, this meal will offer a simple yet rich experience of natural flavors, honoring their spirit of gratitude and respect for nature. Enjoy a culinary experience that brings the Jomon spirit to life.
Day 2: Day 2
30m
Experiencing the “Five Spirits of Jomon”
4.The Spirit of Sharing
The Jomon society was built on sharing resources within their community. This spirit of sharing is said to have supported their peaceful society. We will visit “Amida Sacred Water,” a communal source of natural spring water in Hara Village, to experience firsthand the Jomon spirit of sharing nature’s blessings.
30m
Experiencing the “Five Spirits of Jomon”
1.The Spirit of Prayer
The Jomon people revered nature, considering natural phenomena and seasonal changes as sacred. They prayed to nature, respecting its laws and offering prayers for safety and abundance. We, too, will offer our gratitude and prayers to nature at a shrine dedicated to Ishiyama in Hara Village, allowing us to feel the spirit of prayer from the Jomon era.
Hara-mura
1h 30m
Lunch
Togariishi Jomon Archaeological Museum
1h · Admission ticket included
Experiencing the “Five Spirits of Jomon”
3. The Spirit of Handcrafting
During the Jomon period, people handcrafted everyday items from materials found in nature, using them carefully and maintaining them over time. This spirit is still passed down using recycled fabric to create clothing, a practice born in cold regions where cotton couldn’t grow. Let’s experience the joy and spirit of handcrafting from the Jomon period.
Meeting and pickup
Meeting point
The guide holding a sign with the tour name will be waiting outside the station ticket gate.
End point
The guide holding a sign with the tour name will be waiting outside the station ticket gate.
Additional information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Cancellation policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
