Discover a fascinating window into ancient Tokyo at the Kurihara Ruins (Kurihara Site), an archaeological treasure nestled in a tranquil, wooded area of Jōhoku-Chūō Park in Nerima Ward. When you visit, you are stepping onto land that supported human habitation across vast eras of Japanese history, including the Paleolithic, Jōmon, Yayoi, and Heian periods. Excavated in 1955 during athletic facility construction for Rikkyo University, archaeologists uncovered obsidian stone tools in the red Kantō Plain loam alongside historical Jōmon pottery.
The undeniable centerpiece to see on your walk through the woods is a full-scale reconstructed early 8th-century pit-house from the Nara period. Designed in 1957 by University of Tokyo professor Gaijiro Fujishima, this historic structure stands over an excavated dwelling site that originally revealed four post holes, pottery, and remains dug roughly 50 centimeters deep. As you admire the building's main pillar crafted from Japanese zelkova and its structural beams made of Japanese cedar, you will gain a deep appreciation for early Japanese architecture.
Explanatory signage marks the location, offering valuable historical context for this designated historic site of Nerima Ward.
What to see at Kurihara Ruins
- Multi-period archaeological site with Paleolithic, Jōmon, Yayoi, and Heian history
- Reconstructed early 8th-century (Nara period) pit-house
- Traditional architectural elements featuring Japanese zelkova and cedar
- Artifact history including Paleolithic obsidian stone tools and Jōmon pottery
- Set in a peaceful, wooded section of Jōhoku-Chūō Park
Visiting tips
Be sure to read the explanatory signage outside the fenced enclosure, as access directly into the reconstructed structure is restricted to preserve the historic site.
How long: 30-60 minutes · Best time: Daytime
How to get there & what’s nearby
Kurihara Ruins is easy to reach on Tokyo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Hanayashiki and Tobacco and Salt Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Tokyo travel guide.
See the full Tokyo travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.