Hayabusa-Agari Tile Kiln Site

Hayaagari Tile Kiln Ruins: Where Ancient Craftsmen Fired the Tiles of Japan's Earliest Buddhist Temples

Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood of Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, the Hayaagari Tile Kiln Ruins (隼上り瓦窯跡, Hayaagari Gayo-seki) preserve the remains of a remarkable 7th-century tile production site. Designated as a National Historic Site of Japan, this archaeological treasure reveals the fascinating story of how skilled artisans in the Yamashiro region produced roof tiles and Sue ware pottery that were transported over vast distances to adorn some of Japan's very first Buddhist temples during the Asuka period.

What Are the Hayaagari Tile Kiln Ruins?

The Hayaagari Tile Kiln Ruins are the archaeological remains of four climbing kilns (noborigama) and an associated workshop complex dating to the first half of the 7th century. The site is located on the southern slope of a hill at the eastern end of the Todō district in Uji City, approximately 800 meters northeast of the famous Uji Bridge along the middle reaches of the Uji River.

The kilns were discovered in 1982 during a pre-construction survey ahead of residential development. Excavations revealed four kilns aligned along the hillside, each approximately 10 meters in length, along with the remains of a workshop area on the flat ground below. The workshop included traces of post-hole buildings, drainage channels, and storage pits. Large quantities of roof tiles, Sue ware pottery, Haji ware, inkstones, and clay objects were recovered from the site.

What makes these kilns particularly noteworthy is that they were used to fire both roof tiles and Sue ware — a high-fired stoneware — simultaneously. In ancient Japan, tiles and Sue ware were typically produced in separate, specialized kilns, making this dual-purpose operation a rare and significant find for understanding early Japanese ceramic production.

Why Was This Site Designated a National Historic Site?

The Hayaagari Tile Kiln Ruins were designated as a National Historic Site in 1986 (Showa 61) because of their exceptional importance in illuminating two key aspects of early Japanese history: ancient temple construction and ceramic industry operations.

The most remarkable discovery at the site was that the lotus-patterned eaves tiles (nokimarugawara) produced here — featuring Goguryeo-influenced lotus flower designs — matched tiles excavated at Toyura-dera (豊浦寺) in Asuka, Nara Prefecture. Toyura-dera was one of Japan's earliest Buddhist temples, built by the powerful Soga clan in the early 7th century. The fact that roof tiles were being transported approximately 50 to 90 kilometers from Uji to Asuka reveals the existence of an extensive supply network connecting distant production centers to major temple construction projects during Buddhism's earliest days in Japan.

Tiles from this site were also found to have been used at Kitano Haiji, a ruined temple site in northern Kyoto, about 17 kilometers away. The evidence demonstrates that these kilns served as a significant regional production center with wide-reaching distribution networks, possibly linked to the political influence of the Soga clan, the most powerful aristocratic family of the Asuka period.

The four kilns also display different internal structures, suggesting that they were each designed for specific product types — some optimized for tile production and others for Sue ware. This sophisticated specialization within a single production complex provides invaluable insights into the organization of early Japanese ceramic industries.

Highlights and What to See

Today, the kiln site has been preserved as Higashi-Hayaagari Children's Park (東隼上り児童公園), a small public park integrated into the surrounding residential area. While the kilns themselves are buried underground for preservation, the site offers several points of interest for visitors.

The hillside where the four kilns once stood is now planted with azalea bushes, with each bush positioned directly above one of the kiln locations. Informational signboards installed by the Uji City Board of Education explain the site's history and archaeological significance. The four kilns — numbered 1 through 4 from the right side of the slope — are spaced approximately 8 meters apart, and visitors can walk along the hillside imagining the fires that once blazed within.

The park provides a contemplative atmosphere where you can reflect on the remarkable craftsmanship and logistical networks of 7th-century Japan. Standing on this hillside, it is humbling to consider that the tiles produced here were carried dozens of kilometers over mountains and rivers to grace the rooftops of Japan's first Buddhist temples — a testament to the dedication and skill of these anonymous ancient artisans.

The Goguryeo Connection: International Cultural Exchange in Ancient Japan

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Hayaagari Tile Kiln Ruins is the Goguryeo-style lotus flower design found on the eaves tiles produced here. Goguryeo was one of the Three Kingdoms of ancient Korea, and its artistic traditions had a profound influence on early Japanese Buddhist art and architecture.

The lotus-patterned round eaves tiles (rengemon nokimarugawara) discovered at the site bear designs that reflect the aesthetic traditions of the Korean Peninsula, transmitted to Japan through the cultural exchanges that accompanied the introduction of Buddhism in the 6th and 7th centuries. This international dimension adds another layer of significance to the site, placing it within the broader context of East Asian cultural interchange during one of the most transformative periods in Japanese history.

Nearby Attractions

The Hayaagari Tile Kiln Ruins are located in one of Japan's most historically and culturally rich areas. Uji City is home to numerous World Heritage Sites and important cultural properties, making it easy to combine a visit to the kiln ruins with other remarkable destinations.

Byodo-in Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the iconic image on Japan's ten-yen coin, is located approximately 1.5 kilometers to the southwest. Its Phoenix Hall (Hoo-do), built in 1053, is one of Japan's most celebrated architectural masterpieces. Uji-gami Shrine, another UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered the oldest surviving shrine building in Japan, is also nearby along the Uji River.

The Tale of Genji Museum offers immersive exhibits about the final chapters of Japan's greatest literary classic, which are set in Uji. For tea enthusiasts, Uji is renowned as one of Japan's premier green tea producing regions, and the Ocha to Uji no Machi Historical Park ("Chazuna") provides hands-on tea experiences and cultural exhibits.

Mimuroto-ji Temple, famous for its spectacular hydrangea gardens, is within walking distance. The Asahi-yaki pottery workshop, which has been producing fine tea ware along the Uji River for over 400 years, offers another connection to Uji's long ceramic tradition.

Practical Information for Visitors

The site is freely accessible at all times as a public park, requiring no admission fee or advance reservation. Since the archaeological remains are preserved underground, there are no restricted hours. The park is a pleasant place for a quiet visit, particularly in spring when the azaleas are in bloom.

International visitors should note that the explanatory signboards at the site are primarily in Japanese. Bringing a translation app or guidebook is recommended. The Uji City Board of Education has published a detailed survey report on the site, available for reference at local libraries.