Toro Park: Journey Back to the Yayoi Period

Toro Park offers a unique glimpse into Japan's Yayoi Period (300 BC - 300 AD), a time when rice farming became central to Japanese society. Discovered in 1943 during World War II amid the construction of a munitions factory, the site's excavation revealed well-preserved remains of a Yayoi village. Today, it stands as a historical park featuring meticulously reconstructed dwellings, raised-floor storehouses, and rice paddies. The park allows visitors to wander through pit-houses, unique to the Toro site due to their surrounding embankments and drainage ditches. You can also see storehouses elevated to protect rice from dampness and vermin. The on-site Toro Museum displays artifacts unearthed during excavations, including earthenware and wooden farming tools, with some exhibits offering English explanations and audio guides. Visitors can try ancient fire-making techniques and, on weekends and holidays, sample red rice cooked in Yayoi-style earthenware pots. The park also features a ceremonial hall and offers hands-on experiences, providing an immersive journey into Japan's past. Toro Park is not only a historical landmark but also a place where the community gathers, offering a peaceful connection to the ancestors of Shizuoka residents.