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July 9, 2026 (Thu), Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)

The Heiseikan, built to commemorate the crown prince's wedding in 1993, serves primarily as the space for special exhibitions. For this purpose there are four special exhibition galleries on the second floor, as well as the Japanese Archaeological Gallery.

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)

People on the Japanese Archipelago during a Glacial Stage: The Dawn of Tool Making

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
September 6, 2026 (Sun)
Permanent Settlements and the Creation of Pottery

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
September 6, 2026 (Sun)
Interaction with the Asian Continent and the Pottery of an Agricultural Society

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
September 6, 2026 (Sun)
Political Maturation and the Creation of Symbols of Authority

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
The Yamato Kingdom and the Production of Symbols of Authority

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
Large Burial Mounds and the Increase in Metal Production

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
The Rise of Provincial Clans and the Development of a Unique Culture

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
Late Burial Mounds and Influence from the Asian Continent

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
November 29, 2026 (Sun)
The Beginnings of a State under the Ritsuryō System

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
September 13, 2026 (Sun)
Mountain Worship and the Belief in the Decline of Buddhism

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
September 13, 2026 (Sun)
Life and Death in the Kamakura Period

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
September 13, 2026 (Sun)
Objects Excavated from Edo

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) -
September 13, 2026 (Sun)

Raw Material (Obsidian) for Stone Tools
Excavated at Shirataki, Engaru-cho, Hokkaido, Paleolithic period, 18000 BC (Gift of Mr. Matsudaira Yoshito)

People on the Japanese Archipelago during a Glacial Stage: The Dawn of Tool Making

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)
Japanese Archaeology Gallery

April 8, 2026 (Wed) - September 6, 2026 (Sun)

People first settled in Japan about 40,000 years ago, marking the beginning of the Paleolithic period, which continued until pottery was rst created approximately 13,000 years ago. This period coincided with a glacial stage during which Japan was still connected to the Asian continent via land bridges and inhabited by large mammals such as mammoths. People led nomadic lives and made tools from stone and animal bone, using them to hunt and forage.

This section explores how Paleolithic tools changed over time through common examples: trapezoids with cutting edges, knives, spearheads, and miniature blades for making composite tools such as harpoons. Generally, Paleolithic tools were made by chipping stone into the desired shapes, while polished stone tools firrst appeared in the following Neolithic period. Japan’s Paleolithic period, however, is characterized by the use of stone axe heads with partially-polished blades.

The most common material for tools was obsidian, a type of volcanic glass found in abundance across most of Japan. The sedimentary rock siliceous shale was used in northeastern Japan, where obsidian was scarce, while the volcanic rock sanukite was used in the Kinki region and around the Seto Inland Sea. All of these materials were suitable for making tools because they were relatively hard and ne-grained, allowing sharp edges to be formed by chipping.

July 9, 2026 (Thu), Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan)

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Chronological Exhibition)

People on the Japanese Archipelago during a Glacial Stage: The Dawn of Tool Making

Permanent Settlements and the Creation of Pottery

Interaction with the Asian Continent and the Pottery of an Agricultural Society

Political Maturation and the Creation of Symbols of Authority

The Yamato Kingdom and the Production of Symbols of Authority

Large Burial Mounds and the Increase in Metal Production

The Rise of Provincial Clans and the Development of a Unique Culture

Late Burial Mounds and Influence from the Asian Continent

The Beginnings of a State under the Ritsuryō System

Mountain Worship and the Belief in the Decline of Buddhism

Life and Death in the Kamakura Period

Objects Excavated from Edo

1st floor: Japanese Archaeology (Thematic Exhibitions)

Important Cultural Property Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Dressed-Up Woman

Objects of Prayer and Accessories in the Jomon Period

Daily Tools of the Jomon Period

Daily Tools of the Yayoi Period

Accessories of the Yayoi Period

Bronze Ritual Implements of the Yayoi Period

After the Jōmon Period in Hokkaido: Epi-Jōmon, Okhotsk, and Satsumon Cultures

Dated Mirrors and Inherited Mirrors

Tomb Mounds on Tsushima IslandThe Daishōgun’yama Tumulus

Miniature Stone Models Unearthed from Tomb Mounds

Masters of Maritime Access: A Closer Look of the Figures Entombed in the Uenoyama Tumulus

The Development of Bead Production

Kofun-Period Culture in the Jōsō Region: Stone Headrests and Flower-Shaped Ornaments

The Sound of Ancient Bells

Objects Owned by Ritualistic Leaders

The Niizawa Senzuka Tombs and Exchange with the Asian Continent

Ancient Swords with Inscriptions and the Society of the Kofun Period

The Eta Funayama Burial Mound and the Advanced Culture of Provincial Clans

Development of Figural Haniwa Tomb Figurines

Tomb Sculptures (Haniwa) and Funerary Rites

Ancient Coins

Ancient Epitaphs

Inscribed Roof Tiles from Ancient Temples

Tombs of Nara-Period Officials

Sutra Mounds: Time Capsules for 5,670,000,000 Years

Objects Buried in Sutra Mounds

Buddhist Scriptures Buried in Sutra Mounds: Clay Tablets, Stones, and Bronze Plates with Sutra Inscriptions

Excavated Gold Coins from the Edo Period

Ceramics Excavated from the Site of a Residence of Samurai Lords

1st floor: Thematic Exhibition

Special Thematic Exhibition Before the Jōmon Era Commemorating 80 Years Since the Discovery of Japan's Paleolithic Period

Important Cultural Property
Tomb Sculpture (Haniwa): Dressed-Up Woman

Tomb Mounds on Tsushima Island
The Daishōgun’yama Tumulus