Kanai Higashiura site

The Kanai Higashiura site is an archaeological location in Shibukawa revealing multiple layers of ancient settlements with preserved house structures, pottery fragments, tools, and burial remains. Excavations have recovered more than 900 ceramic pieces and personal objects that document daily life in this ancient community.

The site dates to approximately 1,500 years ago during the Kofun Period when a volcanic eruption from Mount Haruna buried the area under ash and preserved the remains. This sudden burial allowed buildings, tools, and other objects from that time to survive intact.

The site contains skeletal remains of four individuals, including a man wearing iron armor and a woman, showing distinct physical traits from Korean and Japanese populations.

The site is marked with informative signs and viewpoints where you can examine the excavation layers and exposed structures closely. Comfortable footwear is recommended since you will be walking through the outdoor dig areas and examining multiple sections at ground level.

Excavations yielded the first discovery in Japan of a chest armor made from deer antler, comprising 50 lamellae found near a man from that period. This remarkable find reveals an unexpected form of protection used during the Kofun Period that has not been documented elsewhere in Japan.

Location: Shibukawa

GPS coordinates: 36.51953,138.99047

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46