12 Historic sites in Ishikawa worth your time

Explore ancient burial mounds with historical artifacts and scenic views of Nanao Bay.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds, designated a National Historic Site.
• Contains approximately 40 tumuli in the Mt. Mayudake mountains.
• Kofun 1 was once believed to be the tomb of Amenohikagehime no Kami.

What to see

• Two keyhole-shaped tumuli, Kofun 1 and Kofun 2.
• Kofun 1's summit is at 187.95 meters elevation.
• Views of Nanao Bay and the Sea of Japan from Kofun 1 and 2.
• Kofun 1 once housed a shrine building in its anterior part.
• Kofun 1 once had a sumo ring in its posterior part.
• Kofun 1 contains a clay coffin with a wooden coffin.

Read more about Amenomiya Kofun Cluster

Jike Site is a National Historic Site revealing centuries of Japanese life on coastal sand dunes.

What it is

• A ritual and complex site on coastal sand dunes.
• Designated a National Historic Site on January 24, 2012.
• Complex site from the Jomon to Muromachi periods.
• Has a close relationship with Ketataisha Shrine.

What to see

• Remains of 37 pit dwellings and 44 pillar-supported buildings.
• Foundations of 22 medieval buildings with earthworks.
• Excavated salt production kilns and small forging kilns.
• Jomon and Yayoi pottery artifacts.
• Copper bells, mirrors, and currency artifacts.

Read more about Jike Site

Hōōzan Cave Tombs: ancient burial sites, largest in Hokuriku, offering a glimpse into early Japanese history.

What it is

• Ancient burial grounds, a National Historic Site.
• Built into the tuffaceous ground of Hōōzan mountain.
• Constructed from the late 6th to late 7th century.
• Largest scale cave tomb complex in the Hokuriku region.

What to see

• A total of 77 confirmed cave tombs.
• Some tombs feature multiple burial chambers.
• Some tombs have 10-meter-long house-shaped ceilings.
• Excavated artifacts include Sue ware and Haji ware.
• Excavated artifacts include iron swords and arrowheads.

Read more about Hōōzan Cave Tombs

Kitsuneyama Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound from the 5th century, a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A tumulus in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Constructed in the late 5th century.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped burial mound, 55.8 meters long.
• Front part is 26.5 meters wide and 5.1 meters high.
• Rear circular part is 26.5 meters in diameter and 6.5 meters high.
• Features fukiishi and haniwa.
• A surrounding moat is about 10 meters wide.
• More than 36 surrounding kofun were confirmed.

Read more about Kitsuneyama Kofun

Explore a Jomon period settlement ruin with unique artifacts and evidence of ancient dolphin hunting.

What it is

• A Jomon period settlement ruin.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Discovered during 1982-1983 excavation surveys.
• Contains artifacts spanning 6000 to 2000 years ago.

What to see

• Over 300 excavated dolphin bones.
• A large carved pillar, 2.5 meters long.
• Japan's oldest mask from the late Jomon period.
• A circular arrangement of chestnut half-pillars.
• 219 excavated items are Important Cultural Properties.

Official site

www.mawakiiseki.jp

Read more about Mawaki Site

See a rare square-shaped kofun with two unique stone chambers overlooking Nanao Bay.

What it is

• A square-shaped kofun from the late Kofun period.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1981.

What to see

• Two horizontal stone chambers, about 7 meters long.
• Dome-shaped ceiling inside the stone chambers.
• Eastern stone chamber is T-shaped.
• Western stone chamber is reverse L-shaped.
• Stone material is local andesite from Notojima island.
• Overlooks Nanao Bay from 80 meters elevation.

Read more about Susoezoana Kofun

Explore a 5th-century circular burial mound with shrines and unique Haniwa fragments.

What it is

• A circular tumulus, or burial mound, from the late 5th century.
• It is 30 meters in diameter and 7 meters high.
• One of two tumuli in Nanao City with cylindrical Haniwa fragments.

What to see

• Two shrines stand on the flat top of the tumulus.
• One shrine enshrines Maruyama Fudoson.
• A Jizo-do hall is also built on the top.
• Cylindrical Haniwa fragments were found at the base.

Read more about Yata Maruyama Kofun

Explore ancient burial mounds, including the largest keyhole-shaped kofun in the Hokuriku region.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds (kofun).
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Built between the late 4th and mid-5th centuries.

What to see

• Kofun No. 1, a 141-meter, three-tiered keyhole-shaped kofun.
• Kofun No. 2, a square-shaped kofun.
• A clay coffin with a wooden coffin inside Kofun No. 2.
• Fragments of haniwa from Kofun No. 2.

Read more about Akitsuneyama Kofun Cluster

This Heian-period historic site reveals the layout of an ancient estate donated to Todai-ji Temple.

What it is

• A Heian period historic site.
• The site of Yokoe-no-sho, donated to Todai-ji Temple.
• Princess Sakahito donated Yokoe-no-sho in 818.
• Designated a national historic site on March 14, 1972.

What to see

• Excavated pillar-supported buildings, residences, and warehouses.
• Pottery and wooden artifacts from the early Heian period.

Read more about Tōdai-ji Ryō Yokoe-no-shō Shōka Site

Explore a Jomon-period settlement with unique wooden pillar arrangements, preserved as a historic park.

What it is

• A Jomon period settlement site.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1987.
• Maintained as a historic park.

What to see

• A circular wooden pillar arrangement, 7 meters in diameter.
• Pillars made of chestnut wood.
• 57 excavated wooden pillar bases.
• The Kanazawa City Buried Cultural Properties Repository is nearby.

Read more about Chikamori Site

Explore a Jomon period archaeological site with reconstructed dwellings and ancient pottery.

What it is

• A Jomon period archaeological site.
• Discovered in 1954, excavations began in 1955.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Known for the Okyōzuka pottery style.

What to see

• Reconstructed pit dwellings.
• Unearthed stone tools and ritual stone implements.
• Artifacts designated Important Cultural Properties.

Read more about Okyōzuka Site

Explore a significant Middle Jomon period shell mound, a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A shell mound from the Middle Jomon period.
• Discovered in 1930 by Dr. Kubo Kiyoshi.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1982.

What to see

• Located on Tachiyama hill, 20 meters high.
• Two distinct shell mounds: north and south.

Read more about Kamiyamada Shell Mound