Korekawa Archaeological Institute/Museum

Directions and prices at the end of the post.

Taken from Hach's hometown website: Hachinohe is known for the abundance of relics from the Jomon period (circa 10,000 B.C. - circa 300 B.C.), and among the findings are the well-known ruins of Korekawa from the late Jomon period. This museum introduces life from the Jomon period using models and videos. In the information center are computer terminals to help obtain more detailed references of the ruins and findings. The adjacent Korekawa Archaeological Museum and Hachinohe History and Folk Museum display findings as well.

I had heard you couldn't take photos inside the exhibit area. This is not true. Akikosan asked and we were told just no tri-pods or flashes.... I took photos to my heart's content. 

 Akikosan went on this adventure with the children and I. We had a great time and finished the night off with American home-made pizza and watching Totoro together.  But first - the museum:

We got a tad bit lost....Akiksosan felt this was shameful no matter how I explained I always get lost and it's part of the adventure. She explained she is Japanese and can read the signs. It was HER GPS/Phone which led us over the mountain on very narrow, winding roads.... 

You can't really see how narrow the road is in the above shot....check this out - two way traffic....

We found the "adjacent" building first....and they directed us to the BIG building which houses the artifacts. It is free to look around the adjacent  building though there really isn't much here.... They told Akikosan, "Everyone gets lost coming here - even Japanese," and so she felt much better about being our human GPS again. ::grin:: 

This is a replica of the National Treasure you can see at the Korekawa Archeological Institution.  

Akikosan and kids

Because he could

At last.....Korekawa Archelogical Institute! 

The Jomon period is famous for it's cord pattern in weaving and pottery.  That was duplicated on the stair railing.

This was an AMAZING surprise....you put your hand over the little white hands and start a light show....

We moved on to a hologram show of life in the Jomon Period. This was easy to grasp even without a translator.

Ear decorations

Akiko pointed out how prominent and big the eyes are in all the drawings and that Japanese eyes are smaller. Just a fun point we wouldn't have noticed. 

The pottery is amazing...even more so as you realize how many thousands of years old it may be....the still strong colors of the red and black lacquer on some pieces  fascinated me. 

The hands on room was a hit with us....Stacia explores a model showing what was found at various levels of digging.

Sporting a thousand year old earring - look closely. 

Akikosan tries her hands at weaving

Vibrant colors

 The Gassyo Dobu (hands pressed in prayer - praying statue) They date this at 1000 B.C. 

 The left leg was found away from the rest of the statue. This led Zander to comment.....

"Ah, no wonder he was praying! Where's my leg?"

Akiksoan explained he was praying before he lost his leg.

You can read more about Japan's National Treasures here. This figurine is number 41 or 43 and below is the certificate.

Library 

Clay Tablet for writing

We headed home and I became a violator of Japanese Law. I'll have to blog that story tomorrow.  This was a great adventure. We loved spending time with Akikosan. We've not been able to see her much since our return from the states. 

Website - here ....

Phone 0178-38-9511

Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  (Entrance allowed until 4:30 p.m.)
Closed Mondays (closed Tuesday if Monday falls on a holiday)
Closed last day of every month

Fees: Adults ¥250, senior high and university students ¥150, elementary and junior high students ¥50

By Car: 

Take Momoishi toll road from Misawa to Hachinohe. (The trip requires 2 toll passes each way)

Turn right onto route 45.

Take route 45 to the first exit (Ferry Wharf/Hachinohe station)

Turn right under overpass. (Toward fish market)

Follow this road about 6.9 miles to route 340, turn right. (note: there are several landmarks that you go past i.e., yellow multi-story building (fish market) at the first traffic light; railroad tracks; bridge crossing the mebechi river; route 104)

Follow route 340 to the first signal  light past the two gas stations on left, turn left. (Note:  you will past a high school, a driving school, a elementary school all on your left side).

Follow this road down a hill and around a curve, at first traffic light, turn right.

The Jomon Gakushukan Archaeological Museum is approximately 200 meters on the right.  (Note: a small dirt/gravel parking area).

I think this map would be helpful (if nothing else someone at Lawsons can tell what you're trying to find)!

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Crazy Fun Week

Whew! Every once in a while a week requires us to be out of the house every day...for this homeschooling family this is tiring.  ::grin:: I don't know how you all do this five days a week....week in and week out. 

A few highlights from the week....PCOC (Protestant Children of the Chapel) - the children's ministry arm of PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel).  The kids and I continue to enjoy serving the little ones of the chapel on Tuesdays.  THIS Tuesday ALMOST snuck up on us as Monday was a holiday and "threw off our groove."   

Nolan & Zander are my secret weapons with the pre-school boys
Note no faces showing other than Nolan's

As we left base on Tuesday, we realized Nolan had a doctor appointment - sure enough we'd just missed it. They were wonderful and rescheduled it for 08:00 Wednesday a.m. 

Wednesday Nolan saw a new PCM (Doctor). I think we're going to like this one. His blood pressure was high and so we need to do 5 readings in the next few weeks to see if it's really a problem or not. I guess they figure kid's blood pressure based on their height and weight. I suspect his five day readings will be fine. 

Random food photo - stir fried veggies over a baked potato

 I'm back to eating no added sugar....but I wanted some snacks that can travel as it is hard to find vegan in many of the places I find myself. I decided I'd allow myself sweeteners of craisins, raisins and dates....I conquered my fear of dates and prepared some Lara-like-bars for snacking....Next time I won't add chocolate chips; they were very rich...but I really was sure I didn't like dates. ::snort::  I also realized after making them the chocolate would have "added sugar." The oatmeal cranberry ones I make have no added sugar. These have dates, coconut, vanilla and a T of chocolate....tastes like a Girl Scout Samoa cookie. Recipe here. I find a whole bar is too much, so I package them in halves.

Thursday was MOPS - always fun. Today we learned how to use a DSLR. Korinne did a wonderful job. She even had a fall backdrop for taking photos....

I've not been telling Stacia on the days Arielle and I go to MOPS. I know she'll miss it. She's no longer of MOPPETE age....she asked this a.m. and I told her I was going to MOPS. She replied, "It's really very sad I am too old for MOPS." I agree. My baby is growing up.

The plan was to run Arielle home between MOPS and a casual study group....and pick up Stacia and Zander. We meet in the Weasel's Den (a community inside play area) and they like to play. Zander opted to stay home. It turned out Stacia was the only young un there....she was sad not to have anyone to play with but by the time we left several other kids had come in.

We spent some Mommy and Stacia time...she conned lovingly persuaded me to buy her this, "Just like the one Arielle got when Dad was in Korea."  (Before Stacia was born).

Arielle spent the night working on school (Holiday, PWOC, MOPS makes for a rushed week). These boys played a favorite game. I skyped with a ministry team. Stacia watched a "girl movie." 

It's good to be caught up because tomorrow is Friday Field Trip and I'm sure to have photos to share. Akikosan is going to go with us  - always fun and makes it oh-so-much-easier to understand what we are seeing. 
Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Satsuki Pond - Rokunohe

Our new find - directions and details below

Arielle and Nolan attended an International Youth Lock In which started yesterday at 4:30 p.m. and ended today at 2:30 p.m.

The rest of us got up and went to Shipwreck Beach. We forgot the camera, but found sea glass, enjoyed a perfect day at the ocean, and discovered the construction workers have moved on and you can get back to the parking lot now. This is the FIRST time we've EVER been able to drive right in. The English "Keep Out" signs have been removed.

We got back to town and picked up the older two, dropped off one of their friends at home, and drove home. Nolan opted for shower and sleep. Zander opted to stay home and play games. Arielle came with Michael, Stacia and I to find the "Other Duck Park."   We were impressed Arielle chose to come with us.

We think this is the "General Sports Park" or is somehow connected with it; there was a sign on the pond which said it was "Satsuki Pond." The pond is stocked with carp for catch and release by the city of Rokunohe.  I'll post directions below and GPS coordinates when I get them. I'm so glad we found this today and still have some months to enjoy it. It will be GREAT for cross country skiing - if we can locate skis for all of us this year.

We had a great time exploring...and will go back for picnics, lunch breaks and nature walks as long as possible. We also discovered the ducks here do NOT like bread being thrown to them.

Having recently studied snakes I wasn't keen on all the brush

Michael - the Dragonfly Whisperer

 Stacia and I found a playground and  a drinking fountain....this was so funny I cried...after taking the photo. An older Japanese couple laughed as hard as I did.

I nearly walked into this guy....and he was MEAN.  He tried to build a web around Michael as he took photos.  I guess he thought his winter supply had arrived.

Thrilled I'd been working out as there were no railings at this potty....

 We found Arielle asleep in the car...she wouldn't wake up for Stacia to get in so Stacia climbed through the back hatch.

After getting THIS sign so wrong....we are now a bit leery of taking Yuuki with us on exploring adventures.  We did note several others with dogs....so this is our guess - what do you think? I do plan to have a friend translate these for me before we drive that far to be banned as we were a few weeks ago. LOL

This dog is happy and doesn't look like a convict...I think this says "Your dog is welcome on a leash."

This guy looks well.....sort of constipated to me but not also sheepish...and he IS on a big "No" sign with you know...dog poop....so I think this one means "Even if you're on a leash do not poop."

Now this guy is happy, sociable...on a leash...and carrying a bag of poop....so I'm guessing we can take Yuuki as long as we bring her leash and bags (which we always do).

Directions:

From base - get on POL and drive out past the toll road....

2 - 2.4 Km past the toll road you will come to a light - TURN LEFT....there is an A frame building before the light and a warehouse type building on the right hand side.

Just stay on this road for 3.6 KM.... You'll drive through trees, farm land, past a logging store and a rest area (your next turn is a hard right 1 Km past the rest area)....

Turn RIGHT  - the pond will be on your left (through some trees), parking is on your right....You can explore both sides of the road....the play area is up the hill to the left of the pond.  There is parking over there too - but we didn't drive that route.

This is a great spot for scooters and bikes.  It's also a fun picnic spot. There are paths wandering through the trees etc.

In the big parking area there is one western toilet. There are lots of potties throughout the park.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...