SPOT
Fugoppe Cave
Overview
This is a nationally designated historic site of global significance, a cave where numerous rock carvings made by ancient people during the Late Post-Jomon period (approx. 1600-1300 years ago) remain. Pottery, bone and antler tools, and hearth remains are also preserved. Along with the Temiya Cave in Otaru City, it is a cave site with rock carvings that has no parallel in Japan today.
There are over 800 carvings, depicting figures that look like costumed people, as well as boats, fish, sea creatures, and four-legged animals. Many of the human figures are depicted in costumes with horns or wings, which are presumed to represent shamans, suggesting that the site may have been a place for some kind of religious ritual.
Analysis of pottery and bone and antler tools discovered in the sedimentary layers has revealed that the cave is a ruin from the Post-Jomon period, approximately 2000 to 1500 years ago, and it is visited by scholars and researchers from various countries.
Business Hours
April 11 (Sat) to December 13 (Sun), 2026, 9:00 - 16:30
*From May to November, volunteer guides are available to explain the facility's overview. Guided tours require advance reservation by phone to the museum.
regular closing day
Mondays, the day following public holidays, and from mid-December to early April.
Fee
Adults: 300 JPY / Elementary, junior high, and high school students: 100 JPY
*On the second Saturday and second Sunday from April to December, admission is free for residents of Yoichi Town as part of the 'Kitakotonai Chomin Zero Keikaku' (Plan to Have Zero Townspeople Who Haven't Visited) initiative.
Location
87 Sakaemachi, Yoichi-cho (余市町栄町87)
Access
1-minute walk after getting off at the 'Fugoppe Dokutsu-mae' bus stop.
parking lot
Available (free of charge)
スポット運営者
史跡フゴッペ洞窟
