Nokata Site

Nokata is an archaeological site in Nishi Ward that covers a large area at the western edge of the Sawara Plain, sitting at an elevation between 17 and 22 meters. The location now functions as Nokata Central Park, home to an exhibition hall where you can see reconstructed pit dwellings and artifacts from ancient times.

The site was discovered by high school students in 1973 and contains remains from the Late Yayoi period into the early Kofun period, with around 94 pit dwelling structures. These findings record an important transition in the region's settlement history.

The excavated objects show how people here were connected to distant cultures: Chinese bronze mirrors, iron swords, and colorful beads tell of trade relationships that stretched across great distances. These finds suggest the settlement was an important hub for exchange between different regions.

Visitors should take time to explore the detailed exhibits in the exhibition hall, which displays originals and reconstructions side by side. The park grounds themselves are easy to walk around and have clear markers showing the different areas where structures were excavated.

The settlement was protected by two distinct moat systems: an oval one roughly 100 meters across and a square one roughly 30 meters on each side. This double structure is unusual and shows how residents adapted their defenses over time.