8 Historic sites in Iwate worth your time

Ancient Jomon-period stone circles and artifacts offer a glimpse into prehistoric Japanese life.

What it is

• A collection of stone circles from the late Jomon period.
• Created by prehistoric people for unknown purposes.
• Discovered in April 1940 by Eizaburo Kudo.

What to see

• A central stone circle with a 12-meter diameter.
• A 1.5-meter stone enclosure for fire in the center.
• A 2-meter altar-like stone platform on the north side.
• At least seven large and small stone circles.
• Dwelling remains found around the stone circles.
• Pottery, clay figurines, and stone tools were discovered.

Read more about Kamaishi Stone Circle

See Iwate's only keyhole-shaped tumulus, the northernmost in Japan, dating from the 5th-6th century.

What it is

• A tumulus in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture.
• A keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Built between the late 5th and early 6th centuries.

What to see

• The only keyhole-shaped tumulus in Iwate Prefecture.
• The northernmost keyhole-shaped tumulus in Japan.
• Mound is 43-45 meters long.
• Posterior circular part is 28 meters in diameter, 4 meters high.
• Haniwa fragments from the tumulus are displayed at Isawa Local History Museum.

Read more about Tsunozuka Kofun

Explore a Jomon-era village with reconstructed dwellings and a museum, a World Heritage site.

What it is

• A Jomon period circular village site.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1993.
• Registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2021.
• Part of the Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan.

What to see

• Recreated pit dwellings and pillar-supported buildings.
• A museum is located within the park.
• Site is on a river terrace at 190-200 meters elevation.
• Evidence of Jomon period earth-roofed buildings.

Official site

goshono-iseki.com

Read more about Goshono Site

Explore ancient burial mounds from the Kofun period, a designated national historic site.

What it is

• A kofun cluster from the late Kofun period.
• Dates from the late 7th to early 8th century.
• Also known as Ezozuka.
• Designated a national historic site in 1979.

What to see

• Approximately 120 circular burial mounds.
• Mounds are about 10 meters in diameter and 1 meter high.
• Main burial chambers are pit-type stone chambers.
• Excavated artifacts include swords, arrowheads, and magatama beads.

Read more about Ezuriko Kofun Cluster

Explore a Jomon period archaeological site with stone circles and ancient settlements.

What it is

• A Jomon period archaeological site.
• Discovered in 1950, excavated until 1976.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1977.
• Maintained as a historical park.

What to see

• Two levels, at 80 and 100 meters elevation.
• Over 32 stone circle structures on the lower level.
• Stone slabs within stone arrangements.
• Pit-dwelling settlements on the upper level.
• Jar burials have been found.

Read more about Kabayama Site

Explore the archaeological remains of the Oshu Fujiwara clan's government office.

What it is

• Archaeological site from the late Heian period.
• Presumed government office of the Oshu Fujiwara clan.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1997.
• About 5 hectares developed as a historic park.

What to see

• Remains of many pillar-supported buildings.
• Traces of a moat and a pond.
• Excavated pottery, eboshi, and shogi pieces.
• Important cultural properties from the excavations.

Read more about Yanagi no Gosho Site

Explore the reconstructed residence of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, showcasing Heian period architecture.

What it is

• A former residence of the Oshu Fujiwara clan.
• Used by Fujiwara no Hidehira and Fujiwara no Yasuhira.
• Original site is now residential land and fields.

What to see

• Traces of inner moats and earthworks remain.
• A maki-e box with a mirror was found in a well.
• A wooden reconstruction exists at Esashi Fujiwara no Sato.
• Reconstruction shows Heian period Shinden-zukuri style.

Read more about Kyara no Gosho

Explore a rare, preserved medieval village landscape, once a manor of Chuson-ji Temple.

What it is

• An archaeological site preserving a medieval village landscape.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2005.
• A manor of Chuson-ji Temple.
• Registered as a World Heritage Site in 2011.

What to see

• A traditional village landscape from medieval illustrated maps.
• Temples, shrines, and caves.

Official site

www.honedera.jp

Read more about Honederamura Shōen