Washūzan Site, Archaeological site on Mount Washuzan, Kurashiki, Japan.
The Washūzan site covers the slopes of a 133-meter-high mountain with multiple observation points toward the Seto Inland Sea. The excavation areas contain remnants from different periods of Japanese civilization positioned near ancient maritime routes that once connected island communities.
The site shows traces of multiple periods of human settlement and served as a key location along maritime trade routes in the Seto Inland Sea. Excavations reveal that this mountain slope functioned as both a settlement point and observation post for sea-based communities.
The name reflects the ancient connection between mountain and sea, showing how early settlers understood their surroundings. Walking through the site, you notice evidence of how people balanced fishing and farming in their daily lives.
You can reach the site by bus from the nearby station, with parking available for both regular vehicles and large buses. The best time to visit is during clear weather when the views across the water and surrounding islands are most visible.
From this mountain slope, you can see over 50 islands scattered across the sea and a major bridge that links two of Japan's largest islands. This same view was as important to the people who lived here as the artifacts archaeologists continue to uncover.
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