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Although it is not well known, stone circles also exist in Japan
The Oyu Stone Circle in Towada-Oyu, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture , is thought to be one of the largest stone circles in Japan, built in the late Jomon period; other famous similar sites include Stonehenge in England.
Isn't it exciting to think that Japan also has magnificent stone circles built by people of the Jomon period? Recently, these ruins have been increasingly featured as power spots
What is the Oyu Stone Circle?
Oyu Stone Circle is a stone archaeological site consisting mainly of two stone circles, Nonakado Stone Circle and Manza Stone Circle .
It was designated a Special National Historic Site was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (cultural heritage) as part of the "Jomon Sites of Hokkaido and Northern Tohoku."an important site from the late Jomon period, approximately 4,000 years ago .
The stones are arranged in two concentric circles, with the Nonakado Stone Circle measuring 44 meters in diameter and the Manza Stone Circle measuring 52 meters in diameter, making them the largest in Japan .
The stone circle is made of quartz diorite brought from the Yasukudani River, about 7 kilometers east of the ruins, and the stones weigh an average of 30 kg. Some stones weighed up to 200 kg. It is believed that many people over several generations were involved in its completion
In the middle of the double circles, on the northwest side of the center of the circles, a sundial-shaped stone arrangement , which consists of a row of long, thin stones centered around a single standing stone.
As its name suggests a sundial , and exists on both stone circles. The center of the two stone circles and the sundial-shaped stones are aligned in a straight line, pointing in the direction of sunset on the summer solstice.
It is believed that in ancient times, standing stones themselves were objects of worship or symbols of deities, and there are many traces of megalith (rock) worship remaining in the Tohoku region, and this ruin is said to be one of them
A sacred place for the Jomon people
The ruins were discovered in 1931
Full-scale academic research began in 1951, and as a result of excavations conducted so far, it is believed that this site was a place of rituala mass graveyard . The stone rows are thought to have been tombstones. However, no human bones or grave goods have been excavated from this site. This is speculated from the fact that earthenware coffins and grave goods were excavated from the nearby Ipponki Atoro site , and was identified as a cemetery.
Late Jomon period collective graves similar to stone circles have also been found in Hokkaido and other places. These ruins consist of a central stone surrounded by a circular embankment or pillars, and are thought to be evidence that stone circle worship was widespread during the Jomon period.
Remains of buildings and pillars have been found around the stone circle, and pottery, stone tools, and clay figurines have also been excavated. Many tools thought to be related to rituals have also been excavated, so it is certain that this place was an important ritual site. Given its size, it is no exaggeration to say that it is a sacred place, built over several generations by the residents of the nearby settlement
Stone Circles and Pyramids
In recent years, the Oyu Stone Circle has quietly gained popularity as a power spot, and there are even rumors that a giant shaman and the spirits of the dead appear there. Nearby is Mt. Kuromanta , a beautiful triangular mountain that has long been worshipped as a sacred mountain, and some people say that the line connecting the stone circle and the mountain is a place where the energy of the earth flows. If you visit Oyu, it is said that after viewing the stone circle, you should visit the shrine at the summit of Mt. Kuromanta.
Mt. Kuromata is an artificially constructed pyramid . In fact, a large-scale survey was conducted in the past, and the results confirmed that the mountain itself is a naturally formed structure, but terrace-like remains covered with gravel have also been discovered. In other words, there are signs that the original mountain was decorated by human hands .
Additionally, the same stones used at Hongu Shrine on the summit as those used in the Oyu Stone Circle are used, strongly suggesting a connection between the mountain and the stone circle. The mountain can also be seen from the Oyu Stone Circle, and its pyramid-like silhouette can be seen
By the way, while ancient stone circles and pyramids are always surrounded by rumors, there are also stories of this site being connected to a super ancient civilization and the existence of aliens, and there are also stories of UFOs being frequently sighted in the areas around Oyu Stone Circle and Mt. Kuromata
If you're interested, head to the Oyu Stone Circle Museum
The Oyu Stone Circle has been maintained and is open to the public, and can be viewed free of charge
Nearby is the Oyu Stone Circle Museum, which displays pottery and clay figurines discovered during excavations, and also serves as an event venue and rest area
It seems that you can make a reservation and be shown around by a volunteer guide (free of charge) at the historical site, so it is a spot that is well worth visiting when sightseeing around Lake Towada or Oyu Onsen, both as a historical site and as a power spot
Oyu Stone Circle Museum <Information>
Name: Oyu Stone Circle Museum
Address: 45 Manza, Towada Oyu, Kazuno City, Akita Prefecture, 018-5421
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