Akyū ruins

Akyū ruins is an archaeological site on a ridge at the southeastern foot of Mount Yatsugatake, located at 904 meters elevation. Excavations have revealed remains of 30 round pit dwellings, eight square storage structures, and 700 graves arranged around a central plaza.

The settlement remained continuously occupied for several thousand years throughout the Jōmon period, spanning from around 4000 to 300 BCE. This extended occupation demonstrates that the location provided stable living conditions attractive to many generations.

The community arranged its deceased in organized groups around the central plaza, revealing how important this location was for their burial traditions. The placement of these graves suggests a well-organized society with shared spiritual practices.

Most artifacts discovered at the site are displayed in regional museums rather than on location, so visitors interested in seeing the finds should plan museum visits accordingly. The site itself shows the physical remains and layouts of ancient structures on the grounds.

The site features a massive stone circle constructed from approximately 200,000 fist-sized river rocks. This circle ranks among the largest of its kind in Japan and remains a mysterious element of the ancient community's design.