岩戸遺跡

Iwato is an archaeological site in northern Kyushu containing settlement remains, burial grounds, and ancient tools spread across multiple excavation layers. The different layers reveal human activity spanning thousands of years.

Excavations began in the 1960s and uncovered artifacts from the Jomon period through the Yayoi period. These discoveries show how human settlements changed and developed over several thousand years.

The site displays pottery and stone tools that show the craftsmanship and daily activities of early Japanese communities. These objects reveal how people lived and what they made in ancient times.

The site can be reached by train to the nearest station, then by local bus or about a 30-minute walk through countryside. The rural location means visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for infrequent bus schedules.

Excavations revealed evidence of complex burial practices where ceremonial objects were arranged in specific patterns. This careful arrangement suggests these ancient people treated their deceased with deliberate care and thought.