If you like archaeology, the following remains might interest you.
1. Oshoro Stone Circle
Oshoro Stone Circle in Otaru, Hokkaido is actually an oval of 33m x 22m. It is said that the circle was built about 3,500 years ago, in the latter Jomon period. The circles of this kind are sparsely found all over Japan, and Oshoro stone circle is one of the biggest circles among them, which suggests that the power of the group of Jomon people living in the area must have been immense.
As regards the purpose or meaning of the circle, the theory that it was the graveyard is dominant. As a huge wooden pole was excavated out of the ruins nearby, the circle is also thought that it might have had something to do with rituals in shamanism. There is a miniature model at Otaru Museum to see what it is like.
2. Carving in Temiya Cave
The mysterious carving in Temiya Cave of Otaru in Hokkaido was incidentally discovered by a stonemason who was quarrying out stone for building in 1866. They have been generally known and called "ancient letters", but now, it is considered as ancient pictorial engravings among recent archeological circles.
Excavation research in 1989 identified that the engravings were carved on the rock surface about 1,600 years ago. This carving stirs up our imagination about ancient people's life or ideas.
Open: 9:30-17:00, April - early November
Close: Mondays and the following day of a national holiday
Admission: free
Getting there: Take Otaru Sansaku bus, and get off at "Kotsu Kinenkan" or Transportation Museum. You will find the white facade covering the Cave from the bus stop.
