Ōyu Stone Circle

Ooyu Kanjo Resseki

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This is Japan's largest stone circle, designated as a Special Historic Site. It's also a component of the World Heritage site, "Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Honshu, Japan".

Historic Sites
World Heritage

Tourist destination images of Ōyu Stone Circle(1)

Tourist destination images of Ōyu Stone Circle(2)

Tourist destination images of Ōyu Stone Circle(3)

Tourist destination images of Ōyu Stone Circle(4)

HighlightsJapan's largest stone circle
Designated as a Special Historic Site
Component of the World Heritage site, "Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Honshu, Japan"
The "Manza Stone Circle" and "Nonakadō Stone Circle" are positioned facing each other east-west
Among the largest stone circles in Japan, measuring 46 meters and 44 meters respectively

Basic Information

Address: Manza, Towada-Ōyu, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture Search for tourist attractions in Akita

Access: Take the Akita Kotsu bus bound for "Oyu Onsen" from Kakunodate Station on the JR Hanaoka Line (approx. 30 minutes), getting off at the "Kanjō-retsuseki-mae" stop. From Towada-Minami Station, take a taxi (approx. 10 minutes). From Towada IC on the Tohoku Expressway, it's about a 10-minute drive. From Odate-Noshiro Airport, a shared taxi (year-round operation, reservation required) is available. Take the "Towada Lake Line" to Oyu Onsenkyo (1 hour 15 minutes), then transfer to the Akita Kotsu bus bound for "Hanaoka Bus Terminal" and get off at the "Kanjō-retsuseki-mae" stop. Alternatively, take the "Tamagawa Onsen Line" to the Hanaoka area (1 hour 5 minutes), then transfer to the Akita Kotsu bus bound for "Oyu Onsen" and get off at the "Kanjō-retsuseki-mae" stop. Show route

Op.Hours: April - October 9:00 - 17:30 November 9:00 - 16:00 (Closed on Mondays) Winter Closure (Mid-November to Mid-April)

Cld.Days: Mondays (the following day if a Monday is a national holiday)

Fee: Adults: ¥400 High school students: ¥200 Junior high school students and elementary school students: ¥100

INFO: Admission is free, but there is an entrance fee for the Ooyu Stone Circle Museum. Reservations for volunteer guides are required 10 days in advance.

HP: https://www.city.kazuno.akita.jp/kanko_bunka_sports/bunkazai/7/5593.html

Overview

The Ōyu Stone Circle is a late Jomon period archaeological site located in Towada-Ōyu, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture. Designated as a Special Historic Site, it was registered as a World Heritage site in 2021 as one of the components of the "Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Honshu, Japan". The "Manza Stone Circle" and "Nonakadō Stone Circle", positioned facing each other in an east-west orientation, boast impressive sizes of 46 meters and 44 meters respectively, making them among the largest stone circles in Japan. Concentrically arranged around each stone circle are post-and-pillar buildings, storage pits, and pit graves. Numerous ritual and ceremonial objects, including dogū (clay figurines), clay tablets, animal-shaped clay figurines, bell-shaped clay artifacts, stone sticks, and stone knives, have been unearthed in the surrounding area. The Ōyu Stone Circle provides invaluable insights into the lives and beliefs of the Jomon people. Its layout, with the center of the stone circle and a sundial-like arrangement of stones aligned, suggests the performance of rituals. Its near alignment with the sunset direction on the summer solstice further indicates a possible connection to the movement of the sun. Today, the Ōyu Stone Circle Museum offers visitors a guidance facility with exhibitions and explanations about the site. Guided tours by volunteers are also available, so be sure to visit!