Tōkamachi City Museum

The Tokamachi City Museum divides its collection across three zones covering the Shinano River Basin from the Jomon period to today. The Sasayama exhibit includes flame-style pottery from 14,000-350 BCE that became the first National Treasure designated in all of Niigata Prefecture. The textiles section traces weaving in the region back to the Jomon period, when fabric imprints were found on pottery bases, and showcases the ramie-based Echigo chijimi crepe technique. The snow country zone focuses on the tools, clothing, and architecture developed to survive winters that regularly bring two meters of snow. The museum moved to a new building in June 2020.