Chikugo Kokufu

The Chikugo Provincial Capital Site, located in Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan, represents the remains of the administrative center of Chikugo Province from the Nara to early Heian periods. This site, designated a National Historic Site of Japan, reveals insights into the provincial administrative system that followed the Taika Reform. Archaeological excavations have uncovered multiple phases of construction, starting from the late 7th century, with evidence of a military presence, administrative buildings, and religious structures including a Buddhist temple. The site expanded significantly in the early 10th century, surpassing even the Dazaifu complex in size. The final phase in the late 11th century saw a reduction in scale, and its significance dwindled by the late 12th century. The site offers valuable insights into the political and administrative organization of ancient Japan.