Leaving the port behind your first destination is one of Japan's most significant archaeological treasures. Sannai Maruyama was a large, stable village that flourished during the Jomon period, an era spanning from approximately 3,900 B.C. to 2,200 B.C. This prehistoric Japanese culture is distinguished by its intricate straw-rope pattern earthenware (known as Jomon), sophisticated settlements, and the use of large, pillar-supported longhouses. The site provides a captivating look at a society that thrived for millennia, demonstrating advanced community development, long-distance trade, and ritual practices. As you explore the meticulously preserved excavation sites and expertly replicated structures, you will gain insight into the daily life, architecture, and enduring legacy of this ancient community.
The journey continues to Seiryuji Temple, a center of spiritual reverence and home to a truly awe-inspiring monument. Here, you will encounter the Showa Daibutsu, a monumental bronze statue recognized as the largest seated Buddha statue in Japan. Standing at an imposing 70 feet (21.3 meters) tall and weighing 220 tons, this magnificent work embodies the temple's serene atmosphere and scale of devotion.
Complementing the Daibutsu is the temple's stunning five-story pagoda. Constructed entirely of local hiba wood, a highly prized evergreen and special product of the Aomori region, this architectural marvel is a testament to traditional Japanese craftsmanship. In Buddhist cosmology, the pagoda's five tiers symbolically represent the five elements of the universe: earth, water, fire, wind, and the void/sky, with the entire structure serving as a representation of the cosmos itself.
Good to know:
Guests need to negotiate uneven and gravel path at Sannai Maruyama Site. At Seiryuji temple walk from parking lot to the Great Buddha is about 500m (0.3 miles) uphill.
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