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! 🙏😅
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
