Yanagi no Gosho Site, Archaeological palace ruins in Hiraizumi, Japan.
Yanagi no Gosho is an archaeological site of a palace that stretched over 725 meters (2,380 feet) along the Kitakami River. Excavations have revealed building foundations, moats, garden ponds, and defensive structures that show how power was organized and displayed.
The site was built between 1090 and 1100 as the administrative and residential center of the Northern Fujiwara clan. It was destroyed in 1189 when Minamoto no Yoritomo's forces attacked, ending their control in the region.
The name Gosho refers to a palace, and the layout reveals how the Fujiwara clan displayed their authority through architectural choices. The surviving foundations and gardens show a preference for Chinese aesthetics and connections to distant trade routes.
The site is mostly open to walk through, with paths guiding you across the excavation areas. A nearby museum provides additional artifacts and explanations to help you understand what you are seeing.
The location remained hidden for centuries until its rediscovery in 1969, which triggered large-scale excavations. This late discovery allowed many organic materials like wood and ceramics to survive in better condition than expected.
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