Hakoishihama Site
The is a complex archaeological site located in the Kumihama neighborhood of the city of Kyōtango, Kyoto in the Kansai region of Japan. The site contains artifacts ranging from the Jōmon through Muromachi period, with the bulk of artifacts coming from the Yayoi period. It was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1921. Overview The Hakoishihama site is located on a coastal sand terrance overlooking the Sea of Japan coast. It covers an area of approximately 25 hectares, or one kilometer from east-to-west by up to 600 meters north-to-south, and is within the Sanin Kaigan National Park. The sea was previously covered by dense Japanese black pine forests, which were largely destroyed by collection of pine sap during World War II, although reforestation attempts have been progressing into the 1970s. The bed of the Sakotani River, which at present turns at a right angle into Kumihama Town and flows into Kumihama Bay in the southwest, previously flowed directly into the Sea of Japan at this point, and it is believed that an ancient settlement existed at the river mouth. The site was known to local antiquarians from the late 19th century, who collected surface artifacts which had been