What was the Oshoro Stone Circle used for?

It served as a ceremonial site for the Jomon people, likely functioning as a calendar or astronomical observatory aligned with celestial events like solstices. The exact rituals performed there are unknown.

What should I expect when visiting the stone circle?

The site features stone pillars arranged in a circle measuring 18 meters in diameter. Information boards explain the history. A visit takes 30 to 45 minutes. The hilltop location can be windy, and winter snow may limit access.

Can I visit the Oshoro Stone Circle in winter?

The site is accessible year-round, but heavy snowfall during Hokkaido winters can make access difficult. The exposed hilltop location may be covered in snow, and paths could be impassable during peak winter months.

What else can I see near the Oshoro Stone Circle?

The surrounding area has yielded Jomon period artifacts including pottery and tools, though these are typically housed in museums rather than displayed on-site. The location offers views of the Sea of Japan from the hilltop.

Are there English explanations at the site?

Yes. Information boards at the Oshoro Stone Circle are available in both Japanese and English, explaining the historical context and archaeological significance of the site.

Oshoro Stone Circle

3.5 (76)Historical LandmarkTourist AttractionHistorical PlacePoint Of InterestEstablishment

Last updated Mar 10, 2026

The Oshoro Stone Circle is an ancient archaeological site located in Otaru City, Hokkaido, Japan. Dating back approximately 3,000 to 4,000 years to the Jomon period, this ritual site consists of a circular arrangement of stone pillars that served ceremonial purposes for prehistoric inhabitants of the region. The circle measures roughly 18 meters in diameter and originally contained more stones than are visible today, making it one of northern Japan's most significant prehistoric monuments.

This site holds considerable cultural importance as evidence of the sophisticated spiritual practices of Jomon people, who inhabited Japan long before the arrival of rice agriculture and samurai culture. The stone circle is believed to have functioned as a calendar or observatory aligned with celestial events, though its exact purpose remains a subject of archaeological study. The surrounding area has yielded numerous artifacts including pottery and tools that provide insight into the daily and spiritual lives of these ancient communities.

Visitors can walk around the preserved stone circle and observe the arrangement of the remaining pillars, which stand in their original positions. Information boards in Japanese and English explain the site's historical context and archaeological significance. The experience is contemplative rather than interactive, offering a rare opportunity to connect with Japan's prehistoric past in a natural hillside setting overlooking the Sea of Japan.

The Oshoro Stone Circle is located approximately 20 kilometers west of central Otaru. Access by car is most convenient, with a small parking area available at the site. Public transportation options are limited, though visitors can take a bus from Otaru Station toward Oshoro and walk approximately 15 minutes from the nearest stop. Admission is free year-round, though the site may be difficult to access during heavy snowfall in winter months.

Traveler reviews

You can get close by car, so there's little need to worry about bears. This stone circle is a must-see for anyone who loves ruins!

eagle

Oct 18, 2025

The weeds were overgrown and hence difficult to find this area.

Amazing. Nobody else there.

This stone circle was built in the late Jomon period. When I visited, the grass was overgrown and I couldn't see the whole thing, and I could just barely make out that it was a circle surrounded by large stones. Judging from images left by others, there weren't many stones inside, and it was made up of a few long, thin standing stones surrounded by smaller stones in a circle. What makes this different from the other stone circles I've seen is that each of the stones surrounding the outer perimeter is quite large. What motivated them to go to the trouble of bringing stones of this size, which would be impossible for one person to carry, from somewhere? Knowing them, there must have been some significance to the type of stone they chose. This is one of the Jomon mysteries that leaves many mysteries unexplained.

My first visit will be on June 15, 2025. Discovered in 1861 (the first year of Bunkyu), after subsequent excavations, Watase Sozaburo published a "Report to the Anthropological Society" in 1886 (the 19th year of the Meiji Era) titled "Remains of a Stone Circle in Shiribeshi Province, Hokkaido." This was the first stone circle reported to an academic society in the history of Japanese archaeology. The area surrounding this stone circle, the "Oshoro Stone Circle," and the surrounding remains was designated a National Historic Site on March 10, 1961 (the 36th year of the Showa Era). Due to the removal of some of the stones and restoration work in preparation for the visit of an imperial prince, the current state does not match what it was at the time of discovery. However, this subtlety can only be fully appreciated by seeing it here, so I urge everyone to come and see it for themselves. Perhaps the timing was bad when I visited, but the area was just overgrown with weeds. But all the more so, I felt the immeasurable subtlety. Please cut the grass! 🙏😅 ↓ July 26, 2025 · R7 When I stopped by the Otaru City Museum Canal Hall, there was an exhibit about the Oshoro Stone Circle, so I've included a photo here for reference. The replica at the Canal Hall is apparently 1/20 scale. The Canal Hall is a better place to get a sense of the overall structure.

Oshoro Stone Circle

Overview

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Former National Railways Temiya Line, Otaru