Gonga Kanga ruins

The Gonga Kanga ruins in Iida, Nagano, Japan, are a significant archaeological site from the late Nara to early Heian periods, serving as a government administrative complex for Ina District in Shinano Province. Spanning from the 7th to early 10th centuries, the site features a trapezoidal enclosure with foundations of granaries, administrative buildings, and a moat. It was constructed following the Ritsuryō system's standardized template for provincial governance. Inside the complex, a pond fed by a natural spring yielded numerous artifacts, including wooden tag markers, pottery shards, and coins, indicating its role in both administrative and ritual activities. The ruins' designation as a National Historic Site underscores its cultural and historical importance.