Kamo-Iwakura Site, Archaeological site in Unnan, Japan.
Kamo-Iwakura Site is an archaeological location in Unnan containing 39 bronze bells known as dotaku, arranged in a systematic pattern within a hillside. These bells from the Yayoi period remain intact with their original designs and carvings.
The site was discovered by chance in October 1996 during road construction work in the area. This find became the largest collection of dotaku bells ever recovered in Japan.
The bronze bells feature intricate designs showing flowing water and images of deer, dragonflies, and other animals tied to ancient Japanese beliefs. These motifs reveal how people in that era saw their connection to the natural world around them.
The site has a visitor guidance facility with free admission, a parking area, and wheelchair accessibility. The location is easy to walk through and explore at your own pace during operating hours.
Some of the bronze bells were found nested inside larger ones, which was the first documented evidence of this storage method in archaeological records. This unusual arrangement reveals how people of that time carefully organized and protected their precious objects.
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