Ōyu Stone Circles

Overview

The Ōyu Stone Circles are a large late-Jōmon-period (approximately 2,000–1,500 BC) stone-arrangement site in Towada-Ōyu, Kazuno, Akita Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region. The site was designated a Special National Historic Site of Japan in 1956. In July 2021 it was inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage 'Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan.'

Highlights

• ●A large late-Jōmon-period stone-arrangement site (stone circles)
• ●Designation as a Special National Historic Site of Japan
• ●Inscription as part of the UNESCO 'Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan'
• ●Excavated finds designated a Tangible Cultural Property of Akita Prefecture

History

The Ōyu Stone Circles were laid out during the late Jōmon period, dated to roughly 2,000–1,500 BC. The remains were designated a Special National Historic Site of Japan in 1956, and the excavated objects are registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Akita Prefecture. On 27 July 2021 the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the 'Jōmon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan.'

Map

40.2717, 140.8039 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1View the arrangements of stones set out in circles
2. 2Walk the site to sense the scale of the late-Jōmon remains
3. 3See displays relating to the excavated finds held as an Akita Prefecture cultural property
4. 4Take in the whole with an eye to its standing as a World Heritage component

Did you know?

💡 The site is also known by the terms kanjō sekiri and 'stone circles.'

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