Oshima Region Marks Fifth Anniversary of Jomon UNESCO Listing with July Events

To mark the fifth anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan, the Oshima region of southern Hokkaido will hold the Day to Experience Oshima Jomon 2026 on July 26, 2026. The initiative is being run jointly by local governments, community organizations and the Hokkaido Government.

What happened

The lead venue is the Hakodate Jomon Culture Center in southern Hokkaido, with additional activities at the Mori Town Ruins Excavation Office. The day features free admission, giveaways of Jomon-themed goods, and a special forum reflecting on five years since the World Heritage inscription. A separate special exhibition, Jomon World Heritage and Minami-Kayabe, runs at the center from July 25 through October 29.

Why it matters

The Jomon Prehistoric Sites, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2021, comprise 17 archaeological sites across northern Japan and are among the region’s most globally recognized cultural assets. The fifth-anniversary program provides one of the year’s best opportunities for domestic and overseas visitors to experience the sites at scale.

Key details

• Date: July 26, 2026 (Sunday).
• Main venue: Hakodate Jomon Culture Center, open 9:00-17:00. Free admission on July 26 with Jomon goods for the first 100 visitors.
• Special exhibition: Jomon World Heritage and Minami-Kayabe, July 25 to October 29, 2026.
• Forum: Fifth-Anniversary Commemorative Forum in Oshima, July 26, 10:00-15:00.
• Mori Town venue: Mori Town Ruins Excavation Office, open 9:00-17:00. Squid-shaped clay figurine strap giveaway for the first 100 visitors.
• Photo rally: Take-and-Discover Jomon Sites Photo Rally, July 24 to August 31, 2026, with prize drawings for photos submitted from Jomon sites and museums across southern Hokkaido.
• Partners: Hakodate City Board of Education, Hakodate Jomon Culture Center, Mori Town Board of Education, Hakodate Bus, Donan Jomon Culture Promotion Council, Donan Regional Public Transport Council, and the Hokkaido Government.

For international readers

The Jomon sites are among Hokkaido’s most internationally recognized cultural assets, and the fifth-anniversary day is a rare opportunity to visit multiple sites in a single day with free admission at the flagship museum. Overseas visitors should plan transport in advance, as the Oshima region relies on regional bus services connecting each site.

Source: Hokkaido Government press release.