Hachimanbayashi Kanga ruins

The Hachimanbayashi Kanga ruins, located in Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan, are significant archaeological remnants of an Asuka period jōsaku-style castle. The site, designated as a National Historic Site of Japan, represents a fortified government outpost established in 647 CE, known as Fort Nutari. This complex featured defensive structures such as earthen ramparts, wooden palisades, and dry moats. In the late Nara period, it developed into a district-level administrative center under the Ritsuryō system, with a semi-standardized layout influenced by Chinese design. Spanning 40,000 square meters, the site also offers insights into the region's administrative history, extending into the Heian period. The discovery of wooden tags and pottery shards highlights its historical significance, although the exact abandonment date remains uncertain.