Togariishi Museum of Jōmon Archaeology

The Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology is a municipal museum in the city of Chino, Nagano Prefecture, Japan, specializing in artifacts from the Jomon period. Established in July 2000, the institution serves as the information center for the Togariishi site, a Special National Historic Site. The museum is of considerable archaeological importance due to its holdings of over 2,000 artifacts excavated from Jomon settlements at the western foot of Mount Yatsugatake, including two clay figurines designated as National Treasures.

The museum traces its origins to the work of primary school teacher and local archaeologist Miyasaka Fusakazu, who began excavating the Togariishi site in 1929. Miyasaka initially displayed pottery from the excavations at his own house. This grassroots exhibition evolved into the Togariishi Museum in 1951, and was renamed the Togariishi Museum of Archaeology in 1955. The current Togariishi Museum of Jomon Archaeology was ultimately established in July 2000 to serve as a comprehensive center for the adjacent historic site.

The museum collection comprises over 2,000 archaeological artifacts recovered from Jomon sites around the western foot of Mount Yatsugatake. The holdings include a substantial number of clay figurines, Jomon pottery, stone tools, obsidian implements, bone and antler tools, and clay products. These materials illuminate the daily life, crafts, beliefs, and natural environment of the Jomon people. The permanent exhibition is distributed across three main rooms: Room A focuses on materials from the Togariishi site, Room B houses the National Treasures, and Room C displays artifacts from various other Jomon sites in Chino.

The most significant objects in the collection are two dogu clay figurines designated as National Treasures. The Jomon Venus, excavated from the Middle Jomon period Tanabatake site, is characterized by a curvaceous physique and abstract facial features. The Masked Goddess, from the Late Jomon period Nakappara site, features a mask-like face and a distinctive hairstyle, and is believed to have served a ritualistic function.

The museum building contains four exhibition rooms, one special exhibition room, and an open space with 90 seats for visual programs. It is situated on a plateau at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters at the foot of Mount Yatsugatake. Adjacent to the museum lies the Togariishi Historical Park, which contains reconstructed traditional Jomon pit dwellings and explanatory panels. The park sits on the Togariishi stone age ruins, an archaeological site covering approximately 170 meters east to west by 90 meters north to south. Excavations have revealed the foundations of at least 220 pit dwellings arranged in a U shape around a central plaza, along with hearths, standing stones, storage pits, and grave sites.

The museum is located at 4734-132 Toyohira, Chino-shi, Nagano-ken. It is accessible by car, approximately 20 to 25 minutes from the Suwa IC or Suwa-minami IC on the Chuo Expressway, and approximately 20 minutes by bus from the west exit of Chino station. The facility provides free parking for 70 standard vehicles, 5 large buses, and one electric vehicle charger. Operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the museum closed on Mondays, the day after national holidays, and from December 29 to January 3. Admission fees vary by source, ranging from 350 to 600 yen for adults, 300 to 500 yen for high school students, and 200 to 400 yen for elementary and junior high school students. The museum offers workshops on Jomon life, including pottery making and fire making, and includes a cafe and museum shop.