Oshoro Stone Circle | Otaru Tourism

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In the western part of Otaru City, on a small river terrace, there is a stone circle made up of large and small stones arranged in an oval shape, 33m long and 22m wide, stretching north to south. The stone circle was created by cutting a gentle slope 20m above sea level to create a flat surface, which was then filled with gravel and the standing stones were then placed.

This is a valuable archaeological site where you can see the aftermath of large-scale civil engineering work undertaken by ancient people. Research to date has revealed that the site was constructed in the late Jomon period (approximately 3,500 years ago), that the standing stones were not transported from the surrounding coast but from Cape Shiripa in Yoichi Town, about 9 km away in a straight line, and that large wooden pillars were erected around the stone circle.

Considering the large-scale development and the need to maintain it for a certain period of time, it would have been impossible for the surrounding villages to do it alone. It is known that the number of settlements around Otaru was increasing during this period, and it is believed that development and maintenance were carried out jointly by the local community.

In the area around Oshoro and Yoichi Bay, stretching from western Otaru to Yoichi, there are a number of stone circles with various locations and configurations, such as the Jichinyama Stone Circle, Nishizakiyama Stone Circle, Hachimanyama Stone Circle in Yoichi Town, and the Mongaku B Site in Niki Town. Of these, the Oshoro Stone Circle is considered to be the core of these.

Scenic spot <br>Oshoro Stone Circle

address
2-chome, Oshiro, Otaru, Hokkaido 048-2561

phone
Otaru City Museum 0134-33-2523

Opening hours <br>Free to visit

Closed days <br>Open to the public

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This Tai Monaka chocolate features 23 lucky spots in Otaru on the packaging. Chocolate and rice puffs are placed inside a traditionally baked monaka shell made from 100% glutinous rice.

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UNGAPLUS

This shop, renovated from the "Old Otaru Warehouse Main Building," said to be the oldest commercial warehouse in Hokkaido in the Otaru North Canal area, develops and sells original products that convey the charm of Otaru. The shop tells the story of Otaru's prosperity during the Hokkaido pioneering era and the history of the Kitamae ships, and displays and sells processed seafood and agricultural products from ports of call and Hokkaido, as well as original products by artisans and artists with ties to Otaru.