20 Historic sites in Shizuoka worth your time

Ancient ritual site with unique rock formations and artifacts from early Japanese history.

What it is

• An ancient ritual site confirmed in 1988.
• Designated as a Shizuoka Prefectural Historic Site.
• Known as the "Iinoya Shrine Precinct Site."
• Excavation surveys were conducted in 1989.

What to see

• Three large rocks forming the iwakura: west, east, and north.
• Over 200 handmade earthenware pieces found under the west rock.
• Kofun period artifacts: magatama, iron spears, iron swords.
• Heian period artifacts, including kyozuka-related items.
• Artifacts exhibited at the Hamamatsu City Regional Heritage Center.

Read more about Tenpaku Iwakura Site

Explore Iba Ruins, a significant archaeological site spanning from Yayoi to Heian periods.

What it is

• A complex archaeological site in Hamamatsu City.
• Dates from the Yayoi period to the Heian period.
• Excavations began in 1949 by Kokugakuin University.
• Some parts are maintained as Iba Ruins Park.

What to see

• Remains of a moated Yayoi settlement.
• Remains of the ancient Shikichi District office.
• Remains of the Kurihara station house.
• Excavated Yayoi pottery, wooden farm tools, and bronze items.
• Rare wooden armor, nationally important.
• Artifacts designated as National Important Cultural Properties.

Read more about Iba Ruins

Explore ancient cave tombs and burial mounds from the 7th-8th centuries.

What it is

• A cluster of horizontal cave tombs.
• Designated a Shizuoka Prefectural Historic Site in 1977.
• Tombs and mounds date from the late 7th to early 8th century.

What to see

• 92 confirmed tombs across four areas.
• Tombs excavated into tuff, a base layer of Suruga Bay.
• Small cluster of circular burial mounds 150 meters east.
• Sue ware fragments collected from the site.
• Iron sword fragments and human bones reportedly found.

Getting there

• Accessible by bus from Numazu Station.

Read more about Enoura Cave Tomb Cluster

Explore an ancient Yayoi-period village and museum, a unique glimpse into early Japanese life.

What it is

• A Yayoi period settlement and wetland site.
• Designated a Special National Historic Site.
• Dates to the 1st century, late Yayoi period.
• Discovered in 1943 during wartime construction.

What to see

• Over 80,000 square meters of rice paddies and wells.
• Wooden tools for farming, hunting, and fishing.
• A large pillar-supported building from re-excavations.
• The site is maintained as Toro Park.
• Adjacent Shizuoka City Toro Museum.
• Artifacts designated Important Cultural Properties.

Read more about Toro

Explore an ancient burial mound with a rare house-shaped stone coffin.

What it is

• A tumulus, or burial mound, from ancient Japan.
• Designated as a national historic site.
• Part of the Shizuhatayama Kofun group.
• Located within Shizuoka Sengen Shrine grounds.

What to see

• A circular tumulus, 32 meters in diameter.
• A 13.2-meter long horizontal stone burial chamber.
• A house-shaped stone coffin made from Izu tuff.
• Artifacts unearthed from around the stone coffin.

When to go

• Stone chamber interior is illuminated from 8 AM to 6 PM.

Official site

www.city.shizuoka.lg.jp

Read more about Shizuhatagayama Kofun

Explore a 4th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, a designated historic site, revealing ancient burial practices.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped burial mound, or kofun.
• Designated a Shizuoka Prefectural Historic Site.
• Construction estimated to be late 4th century.
• Named after nearby Ryusen-in temple (Akamon-ji).

What to see

• A large keyhole-shaped tumulus, 56.3m long.
• Located on the eastern edge of the Mikatagahara plateau.
• Artifacts found are displayed at Hamakita Citizen's Museum.
• Excavations found a 5.58m camphor wood coffin.
• Burial goods included a bronze mirror and metal products.

Read more about Akamonue Kofun

Explore ancient burial mounds from the 4th to 6th centuries at this historic hilltop site.

What it is

• A cluster of kofun, ancient burial mounds.
• Dates from the late 4th to 6th centuries AD.
• Designated a Shizuoka Prefecture historic site in 1995.
• Part of Rengejiike Park, developed as Kofun Hiroba.

What to see

• Twenty-eight to thirty-three kofun along a ridge.
• Most kofun are circular or square in shape.
• Some kofun from the 6th century have stone chambers.
• Mirrors were excavated from Kofun No. 1 and No. 31.
• A wheel-shaped stone was excavated from Kofun No. 12.

Read more about Nyakuōji Kofun Cluster

Explore ancient burial mounds from the 5th century, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds, called kofun.
• Nine tumuli are currently preserved.
• Designated a Shizuoka Prefecture Historic Site in 1979.
• Tumulus 1 dates to the late 5th century.

What to see

• Twelve tumuli originally formed the cluster.
• Tumulus 1 is 40 meters in diameter.
• Tumulus 1 stands 6 meters high.
• Tumulus 1 has a 7-meter wide moat.
• Excavated artifacts include beads and iron arrowheads.
• Horse fittings, Sue ware, and Haji ware were also found.

Read more about Yonezuka Kofun Cluster

Explore a 5th-century keyhole-shaped tomb of a powerful chief, a designated historical site.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus built in the early 5th century.
• Designated historical site of Shizuoka Prefecture.
• Considered a powerful chief's tomb in the Ihara region.
• Discovered in 1956 during tangerine farm work.

What to see

• A 65-meter long kofun with a 43-meter diameter rear circle.
• The kofun has a three-tiered structure.
• Excavated vertical pit stone chamber.
• Andesite split-bamboo-shaped stone coffin.
• Bronze mirrors and iron tools found in the chamber.

Address

静岡県静岡市清水区原927-1 Map

Read more about Miikedaira Kofun

Explore 8th-9th century government office ruins, a National Historic Site revealing ancient administration.

What it is

• National Historic Site, also known as Mikogaya ruins.
• Discovered in 1977 during land development.
• Site of a regional government office from the 8th-9th centuries.

What to see

• Foundations of 30 pillar-supported buildings, gates, fences, wells, and roads.
• Regularly arranged buildings with north-south orientation.
• Exhibits of over 260 ink-inscribed earthenware pieces.
• Written materials designated as Shizuoka Prefecture cultural property.

Read more about Shida Gunga ruins

Explore Takaosan Kofun, an ancient burial mound, significant as one of eastern Japan's oldest and largest.

What it is

• A 'zenpo-kofun' type of burial mound.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Estimated construction around 250 AD.
• One of the oldest and largest kofun in eastern Japan.

What to see

• Burial mound with a north-south main axis.
• Total length of the mound is 62.178 meters.
• Front part is 30.768 meters long.
• Rear part is 31.768 meters long.
• Direct burial in a wooden coffin.
• Coffin estimated at 5.053 meters long, 1.252 meters wide.

Read more about Takaosan Kofun

Explore a Nara period ruin with unique earthworks and ancient pottery.

What it is

• A Nara period ruin, the Chojayashiki Site.
• Designated a Shizuoka Prefecture historic site.
• Named after the Chōja legend.
• Excavated in 1969 and 1977.

What to see

• An earthwork 100 meters east-west, 60 meters north-south.
• The earthwork stands about 3 meters high.
• Assumed entrances at the south center and northeast corner.
• A kofun incorporated into the southwest corner.
• Excavated Sue ware pottery from Kofun to Nara periods.

Read more about Chōjayashiki Ruins

Explore ancient burial mounds, including one with a stone coffin, dating from the 6th to 8th centuries.

What it is

• A group of kofun (burial mounds) in Numazu City.
• Includes Umamizuka Kofun and Umamiba Kofun.
• The Nishi-omagari Site contains Kofun 1 to 3.
• Dates from the late 6th century to the early 8th century.

What to see

• Kofun 1 contains a stone coffin.
• Kofun 2 and 3 are circular mounds.
• Kofun 2 and 3 have a diameter of 9 to 10 meters.
• Kofun 2's moat yielded a Haji ware cup.
• Kofun 2 is currently a tennis court.

Read more about Umamizuka Burial Mounds

Explore ancient temple ruins from the Hakuho period, a significant historical site near Numazu Station.

What it is

• An ancient temple ruin site, Hiyoshi Haiji Ato.
• Estimated to have been founded in the Hakuho period.
• Designated as a municipal cultural property.

What to see

• The temple precinct was about 110 by 220 meters.
• See 17 foundation stones, including the pagoda's central one.
• Roof tiles and Buddhist artifacts have been unearthed.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk east from Numazu Station.

Read more about Hiyoshi Abandoned Temple Site

Explore ancient cave tombs from the 7th-8th centuries, a unique glimpse into Japan's historical burial practices.

What it is

• A National Historic Site designated in 1976.
• Cave tombs used from the 7th to 8th centuries.
• Divided into Okita and Daishiyama Cave Tombs.
• Dug into tuff cliffs in Izunokuni City.

What to see

• Tombs containing stone coffins and stone cists.
• A stone coffin inscribed with 'Waka Toneri' (an imperial official).
• Some tombs are 6.5 meters deep.
• Coffins and cists range from house-shaped to cremation size.

Read more about Kitaema Cave Tombs

Ancient burial mounds from the 6th century, offering a glimpse into Japan's past.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds.
• Designated a Shizuoka Prefecture Historic Site.
• Constructed in the late 6th century.
• First recorded in 1800.

What to see

• 17 existing circular burial mounds.
• The 7th tumulus has an 8.8-meter stone chamber.
• Artifacts from excavations are at Toda Village Museum.
• Excavations found a silver-inlaid sword pommel.
• Four inlaid sword guards were confirmed.

Read more about Ita-Sungō Kofun Cluster

Explore a sacred lava cave, a World Heritage site with a unique shrine and historic monuments.

What it is

• A National Historic Site and World Cultural Heritage site.
• A lava cave formed by Mount Fuji's eruption.
• Considered the abode of Asama Dai-bosatsu.
• Hitoana Sengen Shrine was founded in 1648.

What to see

• The cave entrance on the southwest side.
• Inside the cave: a shrine, three stupas, and four stone Buddhas.
• Over 300 gravestones of Fuji-ko believers.
• A monument group with 233 stupas.

Read more about Hitoana Fuji-ko Iseki

Explore a large Jomon-period shell mound and settlement with reconstructed dwellings.

What it is

• A shell mound and settlement from the Jomon period.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Known since the Edo period.
• Now a free historic park.

What to see

• Over 20 circular dwelling remains.
• Human bones with necklaces and shell bracelets.
• Relatively large shell mounds.
• One shell mound preserved as excavated.
• Reconstructed buildings.
• Artifacts displayed at Hamamatsu City Museum.

Official site

www.city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp

Read more about Shijimizuka site

Explore Japan's oldest settled village, a National Historic Site with Jomon period pit dwellings and artifacts.

What it is

• A Jomon period archaeological site.
• Dates from 15,000 to 12,000 years ago.
• One of Japan's oldest examples of a settled village.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• Site located between Shin-Fuji lava flow and a buried valley.
• Remains of fourteen pit dwellings.
• Stone arrangements.
• Over 26,000 excavated artifacts.
• Jomon pottery.
• Obsidian from Izu Kozushima.

Read more about Ōshikakubo ruins

Explore a 5th-century burial mound, a significant historical site in Shizuoka Prefecture.

What it is

• A large circular tumulus, or burial mound.
• Built around the early 5th century.
• Designated a Shizuoka Prefectural Historic Site in 2002.

What to see

• A circular mound, 36 meters in diameter, 5 meters high.
• A surrounding moat, 7 meters wide and 1 meter deep.
• A burial pit, 7-8 meters long and 1 meter wide.
• Artifacts found include a tubular bead and armor fragments.

Read more about Kawarakezuka Kofun