Dating back roughly 4,000 years to the Late Jōmon period, these twin concentric stone rings—named Manza and Nonakado—stand atop a plateau in northern Akita. Intricately placed river stones form sundial arrangements that accurately align with the summer solstice sunset and seasonal equinoxes. Surrounding the ceremonial rings are the remains of ancient pit dwellings, storage pits, and artifacts that offer rare glimpses into prehistoric life. It is an awe-inspiring open-air historical site that bridges ancient astronomy, spiritual ritual, and early Japanese settlement.
- Prehistoric
- Historic Landmark
- Sundials
- Ancient Ruins
- Jomon Period
- History
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