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All Japan Mito Ogushi Kaizuka Park

Ogushi Kaizuka Park

A park built around the legend of a clam-loving giant who created a monumental midden.

Mito, Japan

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KoinuSensei
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The statue of Daidarabotchi.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
The statue of Daidarabotchi.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
The face of Daidarabotchi.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
An ancient-ish trail leads to the midden.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A pool in the shape of the giant’s footprint.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A detail of the midden.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A section of the shell midden.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A statue of a Jomon-period man.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A monument commemorating the site.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Daidarabo, the great giant.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A reconstructed Jomon village.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A statue of a Jomon-period woman.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
The archaeological park.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A view from Daidaraobtchi’s palm.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
The statue of Daidarabotchi.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
Daidarabotchi’s palm on display.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
Daidaraobotchi’s terracotta.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
One of the reconstructed Jōmon-era houses.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
The inside of the Jōmon-era houses.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
The entrance of the park was made in the style of a ruin.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
Inside a Jomon pit dwelling.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
A sign showing the size of Daidarabotchi’s footstep.   KoinuSensei / Atlas Obscura User
A wooded trail to Orii Shrine and the Ogushi site beyond.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
One of the entrances.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In Japan, there are several places and items thought to have been created by a Daidarabotchi, a Japanese mythical giant. The Ogushi Midden, which is located in park in the ancient town of Mito, in just is one of them.

According to the Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki, a record of the Hitachi Province (now the Ibaraki Prefecture) compiled in the 8th century, a giant lived atop a hill near the post office. He feasted upon clams he gathered from the beach, then discarded their shells in the massive midden (shell pile).

To commemorate this legend, a giant white statue was set up on the site. You can do more than just gaze up at the 50-foot structure; a hidden staircase lets you climb up inside the giant’s body, where you can then step onto his outstretched palm to enjoy the view of the park.

Aside from the giant statue, the park also offers fascinating archaeological exhibitions. One highlight is the Ogushi Midden, which is thought to have been made in the early Jōmon period (4000 to 2500 BC). The midden is first mentioned in a document (possibly the oldest midden mentioned in a document in the world) compiled around 713 AD, which is believed to be the oldest reference to a prehistoric site in all of Japan. The park also contains reconstructed buildings, modeled after structures from the Jōmon, Yayoi, and Kofun periods.

Related Tags

Middens Giant Statues Legends Folklore

Know Before You Go

The GPS coordinates lead to the entrance of the park. There's a bus service from Mito Train Station to the park. Take a bus bound for "那珂湊駅" (Nakaminato Eki) or "アクアワールド大洗" (Aqua World Oarai) at the #3 bus stop at the north exit of Mito station. Get off at "常澄庁舎前" (Tsunezumi Chosha Mae) (about 25-minute ride). It takes about 10 minutes on foot from the bus stop. If you're visiting from overseas, there is a coach service from both Haneda and Narita Airports. Alternatively, Mito Station can be reached via JR Joban Line, JR Mito Line, JR Suigun Line, and Kashima Rinkai Railway.

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Community Contributors

Added By

KoinuSensei

Edited By

Fred Cherrygarden

  • Fred Cherrygarden

Published

December 21, 2017

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  • http://www.mitokoumon.com/kankou/%E5%A4%A7%E4%B8%B2%E8%B2%9D%E5%A1%9A%E3%81%B5%E3%82%8C%E3%81%82%E3%81%84%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92.html
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=ewbgCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA148&lpg=PA148&dq=ogushi+midden&source=bl&ots=PxPol7ESUa&sig=xYfpISWE1YJnxO3BPcKhshDVFlI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiE5JTW7ZvYAhUE2oMKHWwQBhkQ6AEIODAD#v=onepage&q=ogushi%20midden&f=false
  • http://www.city.mito.lg.jp/000271/000273/000294/001005/maizoubunka/p001478.html
Ogushi Kaizuka Park
311-1115 Ibaraki-ken
Mito
Japan
36.336531, 140.54721
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Kamiiso no Torii

Oarai, Japan

miles away

Kochia Hill

Hitachinaka, Japan

miles away

Mito Daiichi High School

Mito, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mito

Mito

Japan

Places 6

Nearby Places

Kamiiso no Torii

Oarai, Japan

miles away

Kochia Hill

Hitachinaka, Japan

miles away

Mito Daiichi High School

Mito, Japan

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mito

Mito

Japan

Places 6

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