Kasori Shell Mounds Museum Park

Although the museum itself has been closed for refurbishment, some of the shell mounds and dwelling sites are outdoors and you can visit them any time.

acual layers of shells

different types of mollusks underground

a layer of clams

At the very bottom of the layers, there were no shells at all. It is presumed to have been a site for residents.

the actual dwelling site - the holes are thought to have been storage spaces for nuts and grains.

Most parts of the park have no undergrowth so I didn't see as many bird species as I'd expected.

Wagtails love this kind of habitat and there were plenty of them.

Japanese Wagtails (Segurosekireiセグロセキレイ)

Reconstructions of prehistoric thatched houses are dotted around the site.

Quite a few Dusky Thrushes (Tsugumiツグミ) & Brown-eared Bulbuls (Hiyodoriヒヨドリ) were eating berries and seeds high up in the trees.

Japanese Pygmy Woodpeckers (Kogeraコゲラ) were with other little birds.

A lone Grey Heron (Aosagiアオサギ) was quietly standing at the very edge of the park.

An old samurai house from the mid-18 century was relocated and rebuilt in the park.

The house has a lovely thatched roof but it's got old and has started leaking when it rains, says the sign. Sadly, now the roof is covered with ugly metal plates. A volunteer told me that Chiba-city local government, who own and manage the museum, have little budget for repairs.

He also said (sarcastically) a foot-bridge over a little stream by the park has been rebuilt even though there seemed to be nothing wrong with it, which means there IS moneyfor something very dodgy and fishy!