1. Ruins of Akita Fort
Akita Fort was an important outpost of the ancient Japanese state in the province of Dewa, on the coast of the Sea of Japan, and one of the administrative, military, and cultural centers in northeast of Japan. In ancient times, the northeast of Japan was inhabited by the Emishi and the ancient Japanese state constructed fortifications as local offices in the region, of which Akita Fort was the northernmost one. In 733, Ideha Fort (“Ideha”= “Dewa”) was relocated to Takashimizu-oka in the village of Akita. It was renamed Akita Fort around 760. Akita Fort housed the chief administrative office of Dewa Province and also played important roles in commercial and political relations with the Emishi of Tsugaru (Aomori) and Watarishima (Hokkaido) and the state of Bohai (China and Russia). In spite of its destruction during the Emishi rebellion of 878 (the 2nd year of Gangyō), the fort retained its functions until the mid-10th century. Even after it ceased to function as an administrative outpost, its name remained in history books and official titles. Since the 14th century, “Akita-jō-no-suke (Vice-Govenor at Akita Fort)” became a highly honored title, which was given to samurais who were in charge of the safety of the northern part of Japan. The site was designated as a national historic site in 1939. The site that was given the designation covers 893,733 square meters.
2. Excavation, Conservation and Public Display of Akita Fort
For four years from 1959 to 1962, the government of Japan conducted a series of excavations. Since 1972, Akita City has been conducting excavations. Based on the results of the excavations, the ancient facilities of Akita Fort have been restored and rendered for public use as a historic site park since 1989. Akita Fort Ruins History Museum opened in 2016 and it contained displays of discovered items and thorough explanations.
3. Morphology of Akita Fort
Akita Fort had double walls. The outer walls were shaped like an incomplete square, 550 meters on each side. The inner walls ran 94 meters from east to west and 77 meters from north south and the Administrative Office was at its center. When they were first built in the 8th century, the Outer Walls were made of rammed earth and had tiled roofs. To build rammed earth walls, they piled and rammed earth into the framework layer by layer. Each layer was only a couple of centimeters thick, but they were piled up to the height of more than 3 meters, with a width of 2.1 meters. The elaborately constructed walls were later replaced with walls of tightly lined poles in the Heian era (794AD-1185AD). The Outer Walls were a grandiose construction which stretched for a length of 2.2 kilometers. Important facilities were built not only inside the walls, but also on the outside.
4. What to See in This Historic Park
1) Ancient Administrative Office
The Administrative Office was the heart of Akita Fort and was the administrative center of Dewa Province. It also served as the place for political and diplomatic ceremonies with domestic and international envoys. The locations of ancient buildings are indicated on the ground. On a sunny day, Mt. Chōkai is visible to the south from where the main building stood.
2) Outer Walls’ East Gate
East Gate, one of gates of the Outer Walls, was restored to its original appearance from when it was first constructed in 733. With tile-roofed rammed earth walls extending on both sides, a splendid view of the ancient times is revived.
3) Ancient Flush Toilets
The toilet building of the late 8th century is restored, which was attached to the temple/guest house in the Unoki district to the southeast of the Outer Walls. Three latrines are lined in the building and hidden wooden drainages extend in the direction of the marsh with a holding tank at the end. Such a functional ancient toilet is unprecedented in Japan. A specific species of dead eggs of parasite insects in the holding tank suggests the possibility that visitors from the Continent used this toilet.
4) Akita Fort Ruins History Museum
Opening hours: 9am – 4.30pm
Opening days: every day except from December 29 to January 3
Admission fees: 200 yen for adults, 160 yen for group visitors (more than 20 people), 300 yen for one-year pass, and free for high school students or younger.
5) Historic Park
No admission fees and no closing days.
5. Cultural Properties in the Terauchi District
The Terauchi district, in which Akita Fort is found today, also has other cultural properties. The name Terauchi is used to mean that there were many temples (tera) in the area and this district was between (uchi) those temples. In spite of its elevation, natural springs flowed out, and thus the area has also been called Takashimizu-oka (“taka” means “high,” “shimizu” means “spring water,” and “oka” means “hill”) since the 8th century. The Takashimizu Spiritual Spring (“Takashimizu-Reisen”) is said to date back to the time of Akita Fort. A Japanese zelkova tree near Koshio temple, named “Asahi-sashi tree,” is believed to be 1,200 years old. The Kyarabashi bridge is said to be made with precious fragrant wood. The tomb for Sugae Masumi, one of the best travelers of the Edo era, is also within walking distance. Why not go beyond Akita Fort to visit Terauchi district’s other cultural properties?
Akita Fort Ruins Municipal History Museum
