[Saga City] Using the Wisdom of the Jomon People to Create Future Gathering Places

Thinking about the future use of the Higashimyo Site while experiencing the life of the Jomon people 8,000 years ago. On May 15, Saga City held field activities and a workshop at the Higashimyo Site, which has reached its 10th anniversary as a designated national historic site, in collaboration with students from Saga University. Through site visits and exchanges of opinions, they shared ideas from the unique perspective of young people regarding the utilization of a new facility scheduled to open in fiscal year 2028.

A Day to Experience Life 8,000 Years Ago and Think About the Future
Saga City and Saga University conducted field visits and workshops as an initiative to utilize the Higashimyo Site, marking its 10th year as a national historic site. After learning about the value and history of the site at the Higashimyo Jomon Museum, participating students actually visited the historic site. They touched upon the realistic life of the Jomon period that cannot be learned from textbooks and the depth of Saga's history.

'Higashimyo Site' That Rewrote Japanese History
The Higashimyo Site is a settlement site from the early Jomon period, approximately 8,000 years ago. Known as one of the oldest and largest wetland shell mounds in Japan, it contains numerous traces of plants and animals that are difficult to preserve in ordinary sites. It is also one of the oldest sites showing the relationship between people and the tidal flats of the Ariake Sea, making it the origin of the historical culture unique to Saga. Even now, 10 years after its designation as a national historic site, efforts are being made to promote its new appeal and ensure its preservation.

The Future of the New Facility Drawn by Students
At the Higashimyo Site, preparations are currently underway for a new guidance facility, aiming for a start of operations in fiscal year 2028. During the workshop, discussions were held on themes such as 'What kind of place would make people want to gather?' and 'What mechanisms would make the younger generation want to visit?' Students shared ideas with free-thinking, exploring new possibilities for the Higashimyo Site. There was an active discussion on the future image of the site as a place where people can connect with each other, rather than just a place to study history.

Towards a Place Where Everyone Gathers, Not Just History Enthusiasts
Saga City positions the Higashimyo Site not only as a 'place to learn about the past' but also as a place to re-examine modern life and values. The new facility aims to create a space that can be enjoyed by many people, including families, students, and local residents, not just history fans. The ideas collected from students will be utilized in future facility development and utilization studies.