Experience one of the largest Yayoi settlements in Tokai! "Aichi Asahi Site Museum"

The Asahi Site, a Yayoi Period settlement site comparable to the Yoshinogari Site, which is said to be one of the largest in Japan.  Aichi Asahi Site Museum is a facility that promotes the charm of the Asahi Site, the largest Yayoi period settlement site in the Tokai region.

The Asahi Site is a huge settlement representing the Yayoi period that spans from Kiyosu City in Aichi Prefecture to Nishi Ward in Nagoya City. At the Aichi Asahi Site Museum, in addition to exhibiting valuable excavated items, there are also exhibits of restored dwellings and moats, and an experience corner where you can learn while having fun.

The Yayoi period is often associated with Yayoi earthenware and rice cultivation, but there is more to it than that. So, let's learn about the Asahi Site and the Yayoi Period at Aichi Asahi Site Museum!

We came to Aichi Asahi Site Museum.

The location is about 1 minute by car from Nagoya Expressway "Kiyosu Exit". In the case of public transportation, it is about a 9-minute walk from Owarihoshinomiya Station on the Johoku Line.

One of the largest Yayoi period settlements in the Tokai region
What is "Asahi Site"?

First, let's learn about Asahi Site and their daily life in "Main Exhibition Room 1."

Asahi Site was the largest settlement in the Tokai region, which operated throughout the Yayoi Period (6th century B.C. to 3rd century A.D.). It was centered around the current Kiyosu JCT area and stretched from east to west, north to south. Many people may be surprised to learn that there were historical sites in a place they usually pass by.

Get to know Asahi Site through animation!

“Crossroad Vision” is recommended as the first exhibit. A four-minute animation introduces the Asahi village in the Yayoi period. Put your hand above the screen to start!

What was particularly surprising was that trade was already taking place in the form of markets during the Yayoi period. Asahi Site developed as a hub connecting eastern and western cultures during the Yayoi period.

It's a very easy-to-understand animation, so we think even people who aren't familiar with history can enjoy it.

The Asahi Site location diorama is realistic to the smallest detail.

The next highlight is the Asahi Site location diorama. The diorama recreates the period from the 3rd century B.C. to the 2nd century B.C., when the settlement was at its peak. All of them reflect events interpreted from the excavated artifacts at Asahi Site.

It's made by a diorama expert, so it's so realistic that it looks like it's about to start moving!

Village on the north side

Settlement on the south side

Defensive facility

Although the Yayoi period is associated with a peaceful image, it was in fact a period of repeated conflicts between settlements and regions. In rice cultivation, the more land there was, the more rice could be harvested, so the struggle for land accelerated.

A large cemetery was built around the residence.

In addition, the life of the time is realistically reproduced, such as activities in the sea, activities in the farmland, and activities in the mountains and forests.

Designated as an Important Cultural Property - 
Numerous excavated items

Next, go to "Main Exhibition Room 2" where many excavated items designated as important cultural properties are displayed. 2,028 items are designated as important cultural properties, and some of them are open to the public.

When you think of Yayoi earthenware, many people think of simple earthenware like this, but there are actually many different types of earthenware.

For example, the "marumadotsuki earthenware'' has a circular hole on the side of the earthenware.

Distributed mainly in the Owari region, many of them have been excavated at the Asahi Site, but their use is still a mystery.

This is "Sekisai" earthenware. It is a red earthenware representative of the Owari area of the late Yayoi period, decorated with a patterned band and a red-colored band coated with red pigment.

In addition to earthenware, many excavated items that are still relevant today, such as "Dotaku" made with cutting-edge technology at the time and "Magatama" made of jade, are on display.

Asahi Site was first noticed as an important archaeological site in the early Showa period (1926-1989), and many such earthenware vessels and tools are still found there today.

Next, let's go to the hands-on learning corner where you can enjoy learning!

Hands-on learning corner where you can enjoy learning

Kids Archeology Lab

The Kids' Archaeology Lab is a space where visitors can enjoy learning about the Yayoi period through reconstructed Yayoi period tools and learning kits. (*Partial use of the space is currently restricted.)

Try the 3D puzzle of "red pottery" that appeared in the exhibition room earlier! Assemble while looking at photos of red-colored earthenware excavated at Asahi Site. Oh, this is quite difficult.

The pieces were assembled and completed while considering the characteristics of the patterns and colors of the red-colored earthenware!

Hands-on learning room

In the hands-on learning room next door, "colorful magatama making" and "earthenware making experience" are held only on holidays (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). If you want to experience it, check the opening time on the website in advance!

On weekdays, a "fire-making experience" is also held outdoors.