Japanese Meteorites:
Falls/Finds Since Recorded History
日本の隕石©2007-2009
Japan has 54 named meteorites to date; known falls 落下(44) and finds 発見(10) including: 10 Irons, 1 Pallasite, 2 Carbonaceous Chondrites (CM2, CK4), 1 E Chondrite and 39 Ordinary Chondrites. Japan has at least 11 meteorite HAMMERS (a meteorite that hit either a manmade object, human, or animal) to date. Japan`s earliest known fall, Nogata, was in 861 AD and the most recent, Hiroshima, was in 2003.
(Falls/Finds are listed in reported chronological order from most recent.) Japan additionally has about 10 meteorites listed as doubtful, questionable or lacking information. Last updated 5JAN09
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54. Kamioka 神岡
39°31'N, 140°22'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H4) TKW=30g (1)
Fell between 1921 and 1949. Senboku, Akita, Japan.
A single 30 g stone was kept in a box of spindles for scroll pictures in the Konishi family, the landowners around Kamioka. It was told in the family that it fell from the sky and was recovered by a tenant farmer who gave it to the wife of the landowner. (5,1,2,3,4)
53. Hiroshima 広島 34° 27'N, 132° 23'E 
FALL//Type: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H5) TKW= 414g (1)
Fall 2003, February 1, 22:30hrs. Hiroshima, Chūgoku, Japan.
A single meteorite hit a warehouse roof and was found by workers a day or two later on the floor of the warehouse. (4,5,1,2,3)
HAMMER.
Hiroshima Meteorite Photos (National Museum of Science, Tokyo):
http://research.kahaku.go.jp/department/engineering/3/inseki/hirosima-meteorite/index.html
52. Kobe 神戸
34° 44'N, 135° 10'E 
FALL//Type: Carbonaceous Chondrite (CK4) TKW= 136g (1)
Fall 1999, September 26. Tsukushigaoka, Kita-ku, Kobe, Japan.
A single meteorite penetrated a shingled roof of a family`s two-storey house, then crashed through the ceiling (photo below) of a bedroom, fragmented and landed in a 13-year-old girl`s bed. (4,5,1,2,3)
HAMMER.
Kobe Meteorite Photos and Information (National Museum of Science, Tokyo):
http://www.nms.gr.jp/kobemeteo.html http://research.kahaku.go.jp/department/engineering/3/inseki/koube_inseki.html
Other Link:
http://www.starclick.ne.jp/meteor/meteor.html
51. Towada 十和田
40° 33'N, 141° 14'E 
FIND//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H6) TKW=53g (1)
Find 1997, April. Aomori-ken, Towada-shi, Japan.
A single stone was found outside a barn and under a hole in the eaves. (4,5,1,2,3)
Possible Hammer?
Towada Meteorite Web Pages by Yasuo Shiba:
http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~shibaya/meteorites/towada/towadaE.html
50. Tsukuba つくば
36° 3' 48"N, 140° 8' 42"E 
FALL//Type: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H5-6) breccia w/shock veins TKW=800g (23+)
Fall 1996, January 7, 16:20hrs. Tsukuba-shi, Kanto, Japan.
Multiple stones (23 stones; largest 177.5g) were recovered over a large area.
One stone hit and penetrated a tile roof of a automobile repair shop. (1,3,4,5,2)
HAMMER.
Strewn Field Map (Geological Survey of Japan): http://www.aist.go.jp/GSJ/MIS/Meteo/meteorite/METFAL_e.GIF
Location Key (Geological Survey of Japan):
http://www.gsj.go.jp/MIS/Meteo/metlist_e.html
Tsukuba Meteorite Photos and Text (Geological Survey of Japan):
http://www.aist.go.jp/GSJ/MIS/Meteo/met_e.html
Tsukuba Meteorite Photos by Yasuo Shiba:
http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~shibaya/meteorites/tsukuba/tsukubaE.html
49. Neagari 根上
36° 26' 54"N, 136° 27' 54"E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L6) TKW=420g (1)
Fall 1995, February 18 approx. 23:55hrs. Neagari, Nomi-gun, Ishikawa-ken, Japan.
A fireball was reported in the Ishikawa and Toyama areas at 23:55 local time (JST). The next morning, in the city of Neagari, Mr. K. Sasatani found a hole in the trunk of his car, and meteorite fragments were on and inside the trunk. The total mass recovered was 420g, apparently fragments from one stone. A neighbor said that he heard a large noise during the night. (1,3,4,5,2)
HAMMER.
Neagari Meteorite Research Report by Akira Ishiwatari Lab, Kanazawa University:
http://earth.s.kanazawa-u.ac.jp/ishiwata/labo/neagariUS.html
Neagari Meteorite and Memorial (Toyama Science Museum):
http://www.tsm.toyama.toyama.jp/curators/aroom/hokusin/in_isikawa.htm
48. Senboku 仙北
39° 26' 18"N, 140° 30' 42"E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H6) TKW=866g (1)
Fell during or before 19th century, recognized in 1993.
Senboku-machi, Senboku-gun, Akita-ken, Honshu, Japan.
A stone of 866g has neen sitting on the household altar of the Suda family for about 100 years or more. It was told in the family that it fell from the sky into a chestnut grove in the dry bed of the Maruko river behind the Suda`s house. (1,3,4,5,2)
47. Mihonoseki 美保関
35° 34' 6"N, 133° 13' 12"E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L6) TKW=6.38kg (1)
Fall 1992, December 10, 21:00hrs.
Mihonoseki-machi, Yatsuka-gun, Shimane-ken, Honshu, Japan.
A single stone fell through the roof of a two-story house and reportedly penetrated both floors and was found the next day under the house. (1,3,4,5,2)
HAMMER.
Mihonoseki Meteorite Web Pages by Yasuo Shiba:
http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~shibaya/meteorites/mihonoseki/mihonoseki.html
Mihonseki Fall Site Marker:
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=832
46. Tahara 田原
34° 43' 12"N, 137° 18' 18"E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H5) TKW=approx. 5kg (1)
Fall 1991, March 26, 11:00-12:00hrs (JST).
Tahara, Tahara-machi, Toyohashi harbor, Honshu, Japan.
A single stone fell on the deck of a ship. Most of the meteorite was swept overboard by deck crew; about 1kg was saved. (1,3,4,5,2)
HAMMER.
Tahara Meteorite Fragment Photo:
http://www.nrc.gamagori.aichi.jp/sanpo/20040807.html
45. Kokubunji 国分寺
34°18'N., 133°57'24'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L6) TKW=10.95kg (many)
Fall 1986, July 29, 19:00hrs.
Kokubunji, Kokubunji-cho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa prefecture, Shikoku, Japan.
A fireball was observed over eastern Shikoku Island traveling from SE to NW. After detonations, many stones fell in Kagawa prefecture, the largest weighing about 10kg. Many stones struck, several buildings, tiled roofs or paved roads. The size of the strewn field is 7 x 2km. (1,3,4,5,2)
HAMMER.
Kokubunji Meteorite Web Pages by Yasuo Shiba:
http://www5e.biglobe.ne.jp/~shibaya/meteorites/kokubunji/kokubunji.html
Kokubunji Meteorite Photo:
http://www.nro.nao.ac.jp/alma/J/photonews/060723.html
44. Sayama 狭山
35° 52'N, 139° 24'E 
FALL//TYPE: Carbonaceous Chondrite (CM2) TKW=430g (1)
Fall 1986, April, 29. Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, Kanto, Japan.
A residential roof hit was hit. (4,5,1,2,3)
HAMMER.
Sayama .pdf with classification information and photo:
http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2001/pdf/2034.pdf
43. Tomiya 富谷
38°22'N., 140°51'56"E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H4) TKW=27.5g (2)
Fall 1984, August 22, 13:35hrs. Tomiya, Tomiya-ho, Kurokawa, Miyagi-ken, Honshu, Japan.
After a noise, a single stone was found on the veranda of a house and another stone was found on the roof of a nearby house. Only the two stones were found. (1,3,4,5,2) 3, H4~5
HAMMER.
42. Aomori 青森
40°48' 38'N, 140°47' 8"E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L6) TKW=320g (1)
Fall 1984, June 30, 13:50hrs. Aomori, Aomori City, Aomori-ken, Honshu, Japan.
A single stone fell through the roof of a printing shop. (1,2,3,4,5)
HAMMER.
41. Shibayama 芝山
35° 45' 54"N, 140° 24' 36"E 
FIND//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L6) TKW=235g (1)
Find 1969, April. Sanbu-gun, Chiba, Honshu, Japan.
A single stone of 235g was found about 50cm below ground level. (1,2,3,4,5)
40. Okabe 岡部
36° 11'N, 139° 13'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H5) TKW=194g (1)
Fall 1958, November 26, 15:00hrs. Kanto, Japan.
One stone, 194g, was seen to fall by a farmer Masao Yamazaki while working in a field. The meteorite landed a few meters from Yamazaki while he was working with his father. (1,2,3,4,5)
39. Kuga 玖珂
34° 6'N, 132° 5'E 
FIND//TYPE: Iron, (IIIAB) Medium Octahedrite TKW=6kg (2)
Find 1950. Two specimens were found, 11g, 6kg. Yamaguchi-ken, Honshu, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
Kuga Meteorite (Yamaguchi Prefecture Museum):
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=302
Kuga Partslice Etched:
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=304
Kuga Find Site Photos (Yamaguchi Prefecture Museum):
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=628
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=306
38. Kasamatsu 笠松
35° 22'N, 136° 46'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H) TKW=710g (1)
Fall 1938, March 31. Hashima, Gifu, Honshu, Japan.
A 710g stone fell through a roof of house. (1,2,3,4,5)
HAMMER.
37. Yoshiki 吉 敷
34° 10'N, 131° 27'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, unclassified TKW=unknown; specimen lost. (1)
Stone. 0.12g, part specimen went missing in 1935. 1
Fall 1928, June 25. Yamaguchi, Honshu, Japan. (1,2,5,3,4)
36. Komagome 駒込
35° 44'N, 139° 45'E 
FALL//TYPE: Iron, Octahedrite TKW=238g (1)
Fall 1926, April 18. Kanto, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
35. Urasaki 浦崎
34° 29'N, 133° 17'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, unclassified TKW=1.5kg (1)
Fall 1926, April 16. Numakuma, Hiroshima, Chūgoku, Japan. (1,2,5,3,4)
34. Numakai 沼貝
43° 20'N, 141° 52'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H4) TKW=363g (1)
Fall 1925, September 4. Hokkaidō, Japan.
Two stones were seen to fall; only one was collected. (1,2,3,4,5)
33. Nagai 長井
38°07' 18"N, 140°03' 42"E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L6) TKW=1.81kg (1)
Fall 1922, May 30. Tohoku, Japan.
One stone fell into a wet rice paddy and was witnessed by three farmers. It was recovered by one of the farmers and taken home. Three more stones were seen falling, but not recovered. The stone is in the possession of Mr. Shinichi Inoue, the finders` son. (1,2,3,4,5)
Nagai Meteorite Photo:
http://www.nanyotenmon.jp/celestialbody.html
32. Kushiike 櫛池
37° 3'N, 138° 23'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H5) TKW=4.46kg
Fall 1920, September 16, 18:00hrs. Tohoku, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
Kushiike Meteorite Photos:
http://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/kankou/meisho/syousai/syousai130.html
http://www.tenmon.jorne.ed.jp/insekiB.JPG
31. Tanè 田根
35° 26'N, 136° 14'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L5) TKW= 905g (2)
Fall 1918, January 25, 14:28hrs. Higashi Asai, Shiga, Honshu, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
30. Tomita 富田
34° 30'N, 133° 45'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L) TKW=600g (1)
Fall 1916, April 13. Chūgoku, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
Tomita Meteorite and History:
http://the-tamashima.net/tama/00004.htm
Tomita Fall Site Marker:
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=834
29. Shiraiwa 白岩
39° 30'N, 140° 12'E 
FIND//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H4) TKW=950g
Find 1915, September. Senboku, Akita, Honshu, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5) 3 1920
28. Suwa 諏訪
36° 2'N, 138° 5'E 
FIND//TYPE: Iron, TKW= ~203g (1)
Find 1915. Nagano, Honshu, Japan. (1,2,5,3,4)
27. Sakauchi 坂内
35° 40'N, 136° 18'E 
FALL//TYPE: Iron, Hexahedrite TKW=4.18kg (1)
Fall 1913, April 13. Ibi, Gifu, Chūbu, Japan.
Specimen is lost. (1,2,3,4,5)
26. Kamiomi 神大実
36°02.5'N, 139°57.4'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H4) TKW=448g (1)
Fall in late March or early April during the years 1913 to 1916 at about 15:00hrs.
Sashima-gun, Ibaraki, Honshu, Japan.
The meteorite fell into a rice field near the house of the Shimamura family. A single stone of 448g was recovered. The stone remains with the Shimamura family. (1,2,3,4,5)
25. Hashima 羽島
35° 17' 40"N, 136° 42' 1"E 
FALL//Type: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H4) TKW=1.1kg (1)
Fall~1910. Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Recovered by the late Great Grandfather of Dr. T. Nomura from the garden of his house. Main mass at Nagoya University Furukawa Museum. (1,3,4,5,2)
24. Tendo 天童
38° 21' 0"N, 140° 22' 24"E 
FIND//TYPE: Iron, (IIIAB) Medium Octahedrite TKW=10.1kg (1)
Find 1910. Yamagata Prefecture, Honshu, Japan.
Found by a farmer, Mr. Yohachiro Syoji, while digging up a tree root in Nukutsu, Tsuyama-mura (now incorporated into the city of Tendo). It was purchased soon afterwards by Mr. Fusaji Kikuchi who lived nearby and suspected it to be composed of a precious metal. It remained in the possession of this family and was recognized as a meteorite in May 1977 by S. Murayama. (1,2,3,4,5)
23. Gifu 岐阜
(Mino 美濃)
35° 32'N, 136° 53'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondite (L6); S4 TKW= over 7kg (many)
Fall 1909 July 24, 05:44hrs. Yamagata, Gifu Prefecture, Honshu, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5) 3,4 Mino
Mino (Gifu) Meteorite:
http://chigaku.ed.gifu-u.ac.jp/chigakuhp/html/kyo/chisitsu/gifunochigaku/rocks_and_minerals/mino_meteorite/index.html
22. Kijima (1906) 木島
36° 51'N, 138° 23'E ,%20Japna%20[EC]%20331g%20fell%201906.jpg)
FALL//TYPE: Stone, unclassified (E6?) TKW= 331g (1)
Fall 1906, June 15. Shimo Takai, Nagano, Honshu, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5) 3 E6
21. Kanzaki 神崎
33° 18'N, 130° 22'E 
FIND//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H) TKW=123.75g (1)
Find prior to 1906; history unknown. Saga, Kyushu, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
20. Okano 岡野
35° 5'N, 135° 12'E 
FALL//TYPE: Iron, (IIAB) Hexahedrite TKW=4.74kg
Fall 1904, April 7, 06:35hrs. Kinki, Japan.
Fireball and detonations were observed. (1,2,3,4,5)
19. Zaisho 在所
33° 42'N, 133° 48'E 
FALL//TYPE: Pallasite TKW=330g (1)
Fall 1898, February 1. Shikoku, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
18. Nio 仁保
34° 12'N, 131° 34'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H3~4) TKW=448g (2)
Fall 1897, August 8. Chūgoku, Japan.
Two (3?) stones were found after detonations and fireball; 195g, 253g. (1,2,3,4,5)
Nio 2号 Meteorite Photo (Yamaguchi Prefecture Museum)
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=299
Nio 2号 Fall Site:
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=300
Nio 3号 Meteorite Photo (Yamaguchi Prefecture Museum):
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=285
Nio 1号, 2号 Fall Site Marker Photo (Yamaguchi Prefecture Museum):
http://db.yamahaku.pref.yamaguchi.lg.jp/script/detail.php?no=625
17. Higashi-koen 東公園
33° 36'N, 136° 26'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H5) TKW=750g (1)
Fall 1897, August 11. Fukuoka, Kyushu, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)
16. Saotome 早乙女
36° 30'N, 137° 0'E 
FIND//TYPE: Iron, (IVA) Fine Octahedrite TKW=10.88kg (1)
Find 1892. Toyama, Honshu, Japan.
A mass of 10.88kg was found. Perhaps a part of Shirahagi (1890). (1,2,5,3,4)
Saotome shown as Shirahagi 2号 (Toyama Science Museum):
http://www.tsm.toyama.toyama.jp/curators/aroom/hokusin/in_toyama.htm
15. Shirahagi 白萩
36° 42'N, 137° 22'E 
FIND//TYPE: Iron, (IVA) Fine Octahedrite; bandwidth 0.3mm TKW= 22.7kg (1)
Find 1890. Nakaniikawa, Toyama, Honshu, Japan.
A mass of 22.7kg was found in the bed of the Kamiichikawa river. (1,2,3,4,5)
Shirahagi (1号) Meteorite Photo (Toyama Science Museum):
http://www.tsm.toyama.toyama.jp/curators/aroom/hokusin/in_toyama.htm
14. Kyushu 九州
32° 2'N, 130° 38'E 
Satsuma 薩摩
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L6) veined TKW=45+kg (many)
Fell 1886, October 26. Kyūshū, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5) 3 薩摩 Satsuma
Satsuma (Kyushu) Meteorite:
http://www.sci-museum.niihama.ehime.jp/miru/josetsu/j101.html
13. Tanokami Mtn. 田上山
34° 55'N, 135° 58'E 
(Tanokami 田上)
FIND//TYPE: Iron, (IIIE) Coarse Octahedrite; bandwidth 1.5mm TKW= 174kg (1)
Find 1885. Kurimuto, Shiga, Honshu, Japan.
A mass of 170.75kg was found. (1,2,3,4,5) 3,4 田上 Tanokami
Tanokami Mtn. Meteorite:
http://research.kahaku.go.jp/department/engineering/collection/inseki.html
12. Fukutomi 福富
33° 11'N, 130° 12'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (L5) veined; S3 TKW= 11.62kg (2)
Fall 1882, March 19, 13:00hrs. Kinoshima, Saga, Kyushu, Japan.
Two stones fell after detonations, weighing 7.20kg and 4.42kg. (1,2,3,4,5)
Fukutomi History in Meteorite Times with Photographs by Martin Horejsi: http://www.meteorite-times.com/Back_Links/2005/July/Accretion_Desk.htm
11. Takenouchi 竹内
35° 23'N, 134° 54'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H6) TKW=720g (1)
Fall 1880, February 18, 05:30hrs. Yabu, Hyogo, Honshu, Japan.
A single stone was seen to fall. (1,2,3,4,5)
Takenouchi Fall Site:
http://www.wadayamacho-hyg.ed.jp/~itoi/intro%20koku/photo/inseki.htm
10. Otomi 大富
38° 24'N, 140° 21'E 
FALL//TYPE: Stone, Ordinary Chondrite (H) TKW=6.51kg
Fall 1867, May 24. Tohoku, Japan. (1,2,3,4,5)