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Ōyu Stone Circles
40.2717° N, 140.8039° E
About
The Ōyu Stone Circles (大湯環状列石, Ōyu Kanjyō Resseki) is a late Jōmon period (approx. 2,000 – 1,500 BC) archaeological site in the city of Kazuno, Akita Prefecture, in the Tōhoku region of northern Japan. The remains were designated a Special National Historic Site of Japan in 1956 by the Japanese government. The site is located approximately ten minutes by car from Towada-Minami on the JR East Hanawa Line of the Towada Interchange on the Tohoku Expressway.
Historical Timeline
Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history
Discovery
1931
Postwar Excavations
1946
Major Excavations
1951–1952
National Designation
1956
Construction (Late Jōmon)
c. 2000–1500 BC
Archaeological Features
Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site
Storage Structures
Religious and Ritual Structures
Artistic and Decorative Features
Domestic and Habitation Structures
Environmental and Natural Features
Astronomical and Timekeeping Structures
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan Your Visit
Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information
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