Engaru Town Shirataki Geopark Exchange Center (1F) / Buried Cultural Property Center (2F)｜What to See & Do｜HOKKAIDO LOVE! -Hokkaido Official Tourism Site

Engaru Town Shirataki Geopark Exchange Center (1F) / Buried Cultural Property Center (2F)

In June 2023, the first National Treasure designation for Paleolithic materials! Learn about Earth's activities at Shirataki Geopark, "one of the largest obsidian production areas in Japan."

The important cultural property "Artifacts from the Shirataki Site Cluster in Hokkaido," owned by Engaru Town and exhibited at the Buried Cultural Property Center, was designated as a National Treasure in 2023. This is the second National Treasure designation in Hokkaido, following the "Hollow Clay Figurine" in Hakodate City, and the first for Paleolithic materials! The stone tools excavated from the Shirataki Site Cluster are among the best in quality and quantity of Paleolithic artifacts in Japan, allowing you to see up close the luster of obsidian and the sharp-edged stone tools from 20,000 years ago. Additionally, there is the Engaru Town Shirataki Geopark Exchange Center, which explains the story of the birth of obsidian, one of the largest obsidian production areas in Japan, through exhibits and videos. Be sure to visit and see one of the only two National Treasures in Hokkaido!