Mino Kokufu, Archaeological site in Tarui, Japan
Mino Kokufu was an administrative center that covered roughly 400 meters east to west and 430 meters north to south at the western edge of the Nobi Plain. A protective moat about 18 meters wide surrounded the compound, with building foundations inside showing a transition from raised-pillar construction to stone-based supports.
The site was established following the Taika Reform of 645 AD to govern the province under kokushi officials who replaced the earlier Kuni no miyatsuko system. This marked the shift toward centralized state administration in the region.
The site reveals how government officials lived and worked through pottery, inkstones, and labeled wooden tags that were part of their daily routines. These objects show the practical side of provincial administration and the types of people who occupied the settlement.
The site sits within walking distance of Tarui Station on the JR Tokaidō Main Line, roughly 15 minutes on foot from the station. The flat terrain is easy to navigate, and information boards at the location help visitors understand the layout of the former administrative center.
The site shows how Japanese building methods evolved during this period, as structures shifted from raised-pillar foundations to more substantial stone-based construction. This reflects the growing influence of Chinese architectural techniques that came with the new administrative system.
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