A Journey to the Roots of Rice Cultivation in Japan
Matsurokan is a museum built to honor the Nabatake Site, the oldest known rice cultivation site in Japan. The building, modeled after ancient elevated grain warehouses, brings to life the spirit of the Yayoi period.
The Nabatake Site is recognized as one of the earliest locations for rice cultivation in Japan. At Matsurokan, you can explore valuable artifacts excavated from the site, such as carbonized rice, stone sickles, and farming tools, tracing the origins of Japanese rice cultivation.
The museum features a diorama recreating the Yayoi period Nabatake settlement and exhibits showcasing the daily lives of ancient people, making it easy to connect with history. The adjacent archaeological park includes reconstructions of pit dwellings, Japan’s oldest paddy fields, and a Jomon forest, providing an immersive experience of the ancient landscape.
In the special exhibition room, you can view notable artifacts from the "Matsuro Country" period of the Yamatai Kingdom. "Matsuro Country," mentioned in ancient Chinese records, is believed to have prospered in the Karatsu region through interactions with the mainland. Matsurokan’s name derives from this historical Matsuro Country.
