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The Home of Obsidian
Nagawa Town is the home of obsidian,
designated as a Japan Heritage site
under the title,
"Starry Central Highland of the Jomon World"
Obsidian is a natural volcanic glass that was once a precious material used to craft sharp-edged stone tools before the use of metals.
Mt. Wada, now a popular hiking destination along the historic Nakasendo Road, was once a volcano that produced large quantities of obsidian around 900,000 years ago.
Obsidian from Wada-toge (Mt. Wada), twinkling in the light, is "a crystal of dreams and romance!"
 The Obsidian Experience MuseumLocated at the base of "Hoshikuso-toge," a historic obsidian mining site, it showcases the history of obsidian through decades of excavation and research. |  The Entrance HallThe spacious entrance hall welcomes visitors to the world of obsidian. At the reception, you can purchase entrance tickets, and at the adjacent shop, you can purchase a variety of obsidian items unique to this museum. |  The Obsidian ShowroomThis room looks like a gemstone showroom. Many ancient obsidian tools discovered in this area are beautifully exhibited, shining under the light like gemstones, and captivating visitors. |
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Ancient people believed
that shining pieces of obsidian were fragments of shooting stars! How romantic!
 Hoshikuso-togeOn Hoshikuso-toge, you can see tiny pieces of obsidian on the ground. You are welcome to pick them up and examine them closely, but it's important to return them to their original spots for further significant research in the future. |  Hoshikuso-kanThis is a museum built just above the obsidian mining shafts dug during the Jomon Period (the New Stone Age) on Hoshikuso-toge. It looks like a big magic box placed deep in the mountain. |  The Projection MappingInside Hoshikuso-kan, you can see the projection mapping show cast onto the layered strata, illustrating how the Jomon people mined obsidian during the New Stone Age. |
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