Minatogawa Man (22,300 years), the oldest skeleton in Japan: digging goes on here.
A subtropical valley formed when the roof of an ancient limestone cave collapsed, crossed by a one-kilometre path that runs between a giant gajumaru estimated at 150 years old and a cave where people still dig today in search of remains of Minatogawa Man. You can only enter with a guide, with departures at fixed times; the tour starts from a café set inside the rock of the cave.
A natural and archaeological site in the municipality of Nanjo, in the south of the main island of Okinawa, about 30 minutes by car from Naha. The valley is known for the discovery in the area of human remains (Minatogawa Man) dated to about 22,300 years ago, among the oldest in Japan, and for a fish hook considered among the oldest in the world. Access is entirely by booking, through a guided tour.
ℹ️ Entry only with a guided tour booked by phone or online by 17:00 the day before, unless places become available at the last minute. Price: 2,500 yen for adults, 1,500 yen for students; free admission for children up to elementary school age accompanied by a parent. The route takes about 80 minutes, plus the closing announcements, for a total of up to 90 minutes. Phone: 098-948-4192; reception 9:00–17:30 all year round.
🚉 Gyokusendo Mae · 6 min walk
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