For all of my history buffs out there, you may or may not know it, but Japan is home to some of the oldest historical sites in the world that you can still visit. Especially if you plan to visit Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, you’ll have the ability to see some of the oldest historical sites in Japan.
These ancient sites will blow you away with just how ancient and full of history they are, so make sure to put them on your list! And while you’re at it, make sure you have your Jarvisen Translator with you to help with communication!
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Sannai-Maruyama
This ancient site is over 5,000 years old. It is one of the biggest and best-preserved historical sites in all of Japan. Located in the northern reaches of the country, Sannai-Maruyama is a prehistoric town that was recently excavated and rebuilt.
Source: https://www.en-aomori.com/culture-001.html
Walking through Sannai-Maruyama is like walking back into ancient history, back into the Japanese period known as Jomon, which is known for its creativity and technological advances in Japanese history.
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Kamegaoka Site
The Kamegaoka Site is another gem from the Jomon era. This site is over 3,000 years old and includes examples of authentic and ancient Japanese art known as ‘goggle-eyed clay figurines,’ affectionately.
This site was discovered in the 1600s and has since contributed a large number of artifacts to the local museum, the Archeological and Jomon Residential Museum, where you can still see them today!
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Yoshinagari
This ancient site brings us into the last 2,000 years. Yoshinagari is located on the eastern side of the Saga Prefecture and represents the country’s iron age, around 300 BCE to 300 CE. This site is a Yayoi era settlement that shows you what the beginnings of modern Japanese culture looked like.
Source: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e8325.html
From the buildings to the artifacts, Yoshinagari will have you feeling like you’ve fallen back into the distant past as you walk through this ancient settlement that spans over 100 acres.
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Tomb of Emperor Nintoku
The Kofun era of Japanese history, from 250 to 500 CE, is home to the grand Tomb of Emperor Nintoku. The tomb is in a massive, keyhole shape in the middle of Sakai City, Osaka. During excavation, archeologists found thousands of pieces of armor, swords, glass jars, and glass dishes.
Source: https://osaka-info.jp/en/page/tomb-emperor-nintoku-daisen-kofun
While you can’t explore the actual tomb yet, you can walk around the green, flourishing grounds, which will take you over an hour!
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Izumo Taisha
In the rural city of Izumo, along the Sanin Coast, you’ll find what is considered to be the oldest existing shrine in Japan. Evidence shows that this beautiful shrine may have been around as early as the 700s, including its towering torii gate.
Source: https://japanbyjapan.com/discover/izumo-taisha-grand-shrine
To get the best experience possible out of this site, it is best to tour around the property and experience the beauty of the architecture before heading back to the Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo.
