Jizouden Site

Overview

The Jizōden ruins (地蔵田遺跡) are an archaeological site in the city of Akita, containing remains from the Paleolithic, Jōmon, and Yayoi periods. The site is especially known as an early Yayoi period settlement enclosed by a wooden palisade built on a plateau. It has been designated a National Historic Site of Japan.

Highlights

• ●A composite site spanning the Paleolithic, Jōmon, and Yayoi periods
• ●An early Yayoi settlement enclosed by a wooden palisade on a plateau
• ●Designated a National Historic Site for its historical value
• ●Known as Japan's first example of a citizen-built historic-site park

History

The Jizōden site is a composite archaeological site containing features and artifacts spanning the Paleolithic, Jōmon, and Yayoi periods. It is particularly valued as an early Yayoi period settlement ringed by a wooden palisade on a plateau, and it was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1996. Today it is maintained as an archaeological park with some reconstructed buildings, and it is also known as the first historic site in Japan developed by the hands of local citizens.

Map

39.6578, 140.1583 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Begin at the entrance of the site, maintained as a historic-site park
2. 2Walk through the early Yayoi settlement enclosed by a wooden palisade
3. 3See the reconstructed buildings to picture the settlement of the time
4. 4Learn its history as a composite site of the Paleolithic, Jōmon, and Yayoi periods

Did you know?

💡 The Jizōden site is also known as the first historic site in Japan to be developed by the hands of local citizens.

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