Jomon in Amami, Revived Digitally: Usuku Shell Mound Historic Park Reopens
Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture, reopened the National Historic Site "Usuku Shell Mound Historic Park" on April 22, 2026. Through a two-phase renovation project, the park has been reconstructed as a tourism and learning hub where visitors can experience Amami's culture, from the Jomon period onwards, through large-scale projection, VR, and AR. It also serves as an SDGs communication center.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 02:59
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Amami City, Kagoshima Prefecture (Mayor: Sohei Yasuda), reopened the National Historic Site "Usuku Shell Mound Historic Park" located in Kasari Town on April 22, 2026. Through a two-phase renovation project, the park has been reconstructed as a tourism and learning hub where visitors can experience Amami's culture, from the Jomon period onwards, through the introduction of large-scale projection, VR, AR, and other technologies.
This renovation was carried out under the overall direction of the Review Committee (Chairman: Yoshifumi Ikeda / Professor, Research and Development Promotion Organization, Kokugakuin University) and the Supervision Committee (Chairman: Shugo Yanaka / Professor, Graduate School of Management, BBT University). The hardware development was handled by a design-build joint venture of Sakai Architects and Maeda Construction, while the software project was undertaken by B-rise Co., Ltd., resulting in a facility that integrates space and experience.
Located in the northern part of Amami Oshima, the Usuku Shell Mound was discovered in 1933 and was the first site in the Amami Islands to undergo full-scale excavation. Traces of life spanning multiple periods, such as Jomon period stone-lined pit dwellings, medieval ditch structures, and pit burials, remain, conveying the way people lived in harmony with nature to the present day.
Since its opening in 2004, these remains have been preserved and publicly exhibited. However, with this renovation, their value has expanded from something to "see" to something to "experience." The project's main theme is "Jomon and Medieval Life Revived Digitally," featuring a large projection approximately 24 meters wide, VR experiences recreating Jomon life, AR visualization of archaeological remains, and an excavation experience corner.
In addition to its function as a tourist destination, this facility also serves as an "SDGs Communication Center." Phased development has been underway based on the "Usuku Shell Mound Historic Site Preservation and Utilization Plan" formulated from fiscal year 2021 to 2022. The first phase involved the development of workspaces, renewal of exhibition environments, and creation of guidebooks and websites, while the second phase evolved into an experiential facility centered on digital technology.
On the reopening day, April 22, 2026, a ceremony was held with many stakeholders in attendance, including Amami City Mayor Sohei Yasuda. After the presentation of letters of appreciation to the Review Committee, Supervision Committee, and commissioned contractors, a tape-cutting ceremony took place, and attendees toured the renovated facility. Mayor Sohei Yasuda commented, "I hope this becomes a new hub for tourism, a place for citizens to relax, interact, and learn, and a place deeply rooted in the community."
■ Main Highlights
▼Large-scale Projection
Dynamic reproductions of Jomon and medieval life are presented through a large video production spanning approximately 24 meters.
▼VR Experience
Visitors can experience Jomon period life immersively using VR technology.
▼AR Exhibition
By holding a smart device over the archaeological remains, the space and daily life of that time can be visualized.
▼Excavation Experience Corner
Visitors can learn about the archaeological investigation process through hands-on experience.
■ Committee Chair Comments
Yoshifumi Ikeda
Chairman of the Review Committee / Professor, Research and Development Promotion Organization, Kokugakuin University
"The Usuku Shell Mound, remaining on the beaches of Amami Oshima, a subtropical island with coral reefs, conveys the lives of the people who lived here in their original form. Please experience the various historical messages left in the renovated 'Usuku Shell Mound Historic Park' with your own eyes."
Shugo Yanaka
Chairman of the Supervision Committee / Professor, Graduate School of Management, BBT University
"The Usuku Shell Mound holds the key to unraveling the rich life of Amami Jomon, which coexisted with nature. We have conducted two years of review and supervision to make its charm experiential. Please come and experience the renovation realized by Amami City Hall, the committees, and the contractors working as one team."
■ Review Committee (Usuku Shell Mound Historic Park Tourism Hub Redevelopment Project Review Committee) *As of March 31, 2026
▼Chairman
Yoshifumi Ikeda (Professor, Research and Development Promotion Organization, Kokugakuin University) *Archaeology
▼Vice Chairman
Shugo Yanaka (Professor, Graduate School of Management, BBT University) *Management, Urban Engineering
▼Members
Tetsutaka Hamasaki (Usuku Settlement Resident) *Local Representative
Shintaro Hayashi (Chairman, Amami City SDGs Promotion Platform) *SDGs
Rika Koike (Representative Director, Amami Gunto Environmental Culture Research Institute Co., Ltd.) *Tourism Promotion
Hironobu Hisa (Former Director, Amami City Amami Museum) *Folklore
Kumiko Yamashita (General Leader, Amami Gunto Tourism and Product Federation) *Tourism
Kaname Maeda (Amami City Council Member) *Local Representative
Shunsuke Fujiwara (Director, Amami City General Affairs Department)
Masahiro Kokubu (Director, Amami City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Information Department)
Eijin Toda (Director, Amami City Board of Education Secretariat (Education Department))
Hideki Masamoto (Director, Kasari General Branch Office, Amami City)
▼Observers
Masayuki Kawaguchi (Section Chief, Buried Cultural Properties Section, Cultural Properties Division, Kagoshima Prefectural Board of Education) *Archaeology
Shingo Mochizuki (Chief, Cultural Properties Division, Amami City Board of Education Secretariat)
Keywords:
This renovation was carried out under the overall direction of the Review Committee (Chairman: Yoshifumi Ikeda / Professor, Research and Development Promotion Organization, Kokugakuin University) and the Supervision Committee (Chairman: Shugo Yanaka / Professor, Graduate School of Management, BBT University). The hardware development was handled by a design-build joint venture of Sakai Architects and Maeda Construction, while the software project was undertaken by B-rise Co., Ltd., resulting in a facility that integrates space and experience.
Located in the northern part of Amami Oshima, the Usuku Shell Mound was discovered in 1933 and was the first site in the Amami Islands to undergo full-scale excavation. Traces of life spanning multiple periods, such as Jomon period stone-lined pit dwellings, medieval ditch structures, and pit burials, remain, conveying the way people lived in harmony with nature to the present day.
Since its opening in 2004, these remains have been preserved and publicly exhibited. However, with this renovation, their value has expanded from something to "see" to something to "experience." The project's main theme is "Jomon and Medieval Life Revived Digitally," featuring a large projection approximately 24 meters wide, VR experiences recreating Jomon life, AR visualization of archaeological remains, and an excavation experience corner.
In addition to its function as a tourist destination, this facility also serves as an "SDGs Communication Center." Phased development has been underway based on the "Usuku Shell Mound Historic Site Preservation and Utilization Plan" formulated from fiscal year 2021 to 2022. The first phase involved the development of workspaces, renewal of exhibition environments, and creation of guidebooks and websites, while the second phase evolved into an experiential facility centered on digital technology.
On the reopening day, April 22, 2026, a ceremony was held with many stakeholders in attendance, including Amami City Mayor Sohei Yasuda. After the presentation of letters of appreciation to the Review Committee, Supervision Committee, and commissioned contractors, a tape-cutting ceremony took place, and attendees toured the renovated facility. Mayor Sohei Yasuda commented, "I hope this becomes a new hub for tourism, a place for citizens to relax, interact, and learn, and a place deeply rooted in the community."
■ Main Highlights
▼Large-scale Projection
Dynamic reproductions of Jomon and medieval life are presented through a large video production spanning approximately 24 meters.
▼VR Experience
Visitors can experience Jomon period life immersively using VR technology.
▼AR Exhibition
By holding a smart device over the archaeological remains, the space and daily life of that time can be visualized.
▼Excavation Experience Corner
Visitors can learn about the archaeological investigation process through hands-on experience.
■ Committee Chair Comments
Yoshifumi Ikeda
Chairman of the Review Committee / Professor, Research and Development Promotion Organization, Kokugakuin University
"The Usuku Shell Mound, remaining on the beaches of Amami Oshima, a subtropical island with coral reefs, conveys the lives of the people who lived here in their original form. Please experience the various historical messages left in the renovated 'Usuku Shell Mound Historic Park' with your own eyes."
Shugo Yanaka
Chairman of the Supervision Committee / Professor, Graduate School of Management, BBT University
"The Usuku Shell Mound holds the key to unraveling the rich life of Amami Jomon, which coexisted with nature. We have conducted two years of review and supervision to make its charm experiential. Please come and experience the renovation realized by Amami City Hall, the committees, and the contractors working as one team."
■ Review Committee (Usuku Shell Mound Historic Park Tourism Hub Redevelopment Project Review Committee) *As of March 31, 2026
▼Chairman
Yoshifumi Ikeda (Professor, Research and Development Promotion Organization, Kokugakuin University) *Archaeology
▼Vice Chairman
Shugo Yanaka (Professor, Graduate School of Management, BBT University) *Management, Urban Engineering
▼Members
Tetsutaka Hamasaki (Usuku Settlement Resident) *Local Representative
Shintaro Hayashi (Chairman, Amami City SDGs Promotion Platform) *SDGs
Rika Koike (Representative Director, Amami Gunto Environmental Culture Research Institute Co., Ltd.) *Tourism Promotion
Hironobu Hisa (Former Director, Amami City Amami Museum) *Folklore
Kumiko Yamashita (General Leader, Amami Gunto Tourism and Product Federation) *Tourism
Kaname Maeda (Amami City Council Member) *Local Representative
Shunsuke Fujiwara (Director, Amami City General Affairs Department)
Masahiro Kokubu (Director, Amami City Commerce, Industry and Tourism Information Department)
Eijin Toda (Director, Amami City Board of Education Secretariat (Education Department))
Hideki Masamoto (Director, Kasari General Branch Office, Amami City)
▼Observers
Masayuki Kawaguchi (Section Chief, Buried Cultural Properties Section, Cultural Properties Division, Kagoshima Prefectural Board of Education) *Archaeology
Shingo Mochizuki (Chief, Cultural Properties Division, Amami City Board of Education Secretariat)
Keywords: