Temiya Cave

The cave contains ancient engravings and paintings from the Zoku-Joumon period, displaying patterns etched into the stone walls of the natural formation.

A soldier of the Imperial Guard discovered the cave in 1866 while building a herring watch box, revealing ancient markings on the tufa walls.

Scholars examine the engravings to determine whether they represent pictures, symbols, or letters, contributing to understanding ancient Japanese communication methods.

The cave site includes a preservation center open from May to October, where visitors can examine the engravings and learn about their historical context.

The entire cave structure is now enclosed within a protective building that houses both the original site and an educational museum.

Location: Temiya

Website: https://city.otaru.lg.jp/docs/2020101500047

GPS coordinates: 43.21250,141.00361

Latest update: March 8, 2025 11:38