20 Historic sites in Chiba worth your time

Explore ancient burial mounds and unique haniwa figures at this National Historic Site.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds, also called Nakadai Kofun Cluster.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1958.
• Dates to the latter half of the 6th century.

What to see

• Two keyhole-shaped kofun and thirteen round kofun.
• Tonozuka Kofun, 88 meters long, faces west.
• Himezuka Kofun, 58.5 meters long, next to Tonozuka.
• Haniwa from Tonozuka and Himezuka are Important Cultural Properties.
• A 'funeral procession haniwa' was excavated here.
• Haniwa from the cluster are stored at Kannonkyoji Temple.

Read more about Shibayama Kofun Cluster

Explore a significant Jomon period archaeological site with unique artificial mounds.

What it is

• A Late to Final Jomon period archaeological site.
• Designated a National Historic Site on March 2, 2005.
• Discovered during school construction in 1969.

What to see

• Site on a 27-meter-high plateau.
• Artificial mounds, including a circular mound structure.
• Oval site with a major axis of 160 meters.
• Central depression about 80 meters in diameter.
• Five remaining mounds; Mound 1 is 60 by 30 by 1.5 meters.
• Large quantities of Jomon period pottery were found.

Read more about Inonagawari Site

Explore a 4th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, once part of a 'husband and wife' tumuli pair.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Designated as a historic site of Sakura City.
• Estimated to have been built around the 4th century.
• Once called 'Meotozuka' (husband and wife tumuli).

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Current length is 37 meters.
• Faces the Kashima River lowlands.
• Once overlooked Lake Inba in ancient times.

Getting there

• 1.6 kilometers northwest of Keisei Sakura Station.

Read more about Yamanosaki Hyōtanzuka Burial Mound

Kinreizuka Kofun is a rare, late-period keyhole-shaped burial mound with important artifacts.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Built between the late 6th and early 7th centuries.
• Considered one of the last keyhole-shaped burial mounds.
• Designated a Chiba Prefecture Historic Site in 1950.

What to see

• A 100-meter long burial mound.
• A horizontal stone chamber.
• A combination-style stone coffin inside the chamber.
• Five golden bells were excavated from the burial chamber.
• Excavated artifacts are Important Cultural Properties.

Read more about Kinreizuka Kofun

Ancient marine cave site with unique boat burials and well-preserved artifacts.

What it is

• Marine cave site in Tateyama City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Designated as a Tateyama City historic site.
• Used as a tomb from the early 5th to late 7th century.

What to see

• Three marine caves about 30 meters above sea level.
• First example of 'boat burial' using dugout canoes.
• Earthenware, iron products, and armor were unearthed.
• Triangular plate leather-bound short armor and helmets.
• Magatama, kudatama, and copper bells were excavated.

Read more about Ōderayama Cave Site

Explore a large 6th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound with unique haniwa and a stone chamber.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped burial mound, or kofun.
• Part of the Kōnodai Kofun Group.
• Built in the late 6th century.
• Largest kofun in its group.

What to see

• Keyhole-shaped tumulus, 54.5 meters long.
• Cylindrical and figural haniwa found on surface.
• Single-sleeved horizontal stone burial chamber.
• Stone chamber made of tuffaceous sandstone.

Getting there

• Located on the campus of Tokyo Medical and Dental University.

Read more about Hōōzuka Kofun

Gozekizuka Kofun is a large 6th-century keyhole-shaped tomb, a significant Chiba historic site.

What it is

• Largest kofun in the Kaburagi Kofun group.
• Designated a historic site of Chiba Prefecture in 1975.
• A key point on ancient routes from Kujukuri Beach to Katori Sea.
• Likely a late 6th-century keyhole-shaped tomb.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped tomb mound, facing southwest.
• Original length of the kofun was 90 meters.
• Traces of a rectangular surrounding moat are visible.
• Total length including the moat is estimated at 110 meters.

Read more about Gozenkizuka Tumulus

Ancient burial mound with exposed stone coffins, offering a glimpse into 6th-century Japan.

What it is

• A tumulus (kofun) in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture.
• Built around the latter half of the 6th century.
• Located within Satomi Park.

What to see

• Two box-shaped stone coffins are exposed.
• Stone coffins are municipal cultural properties.
• Haniwa have been excavated from around the kofun.
• Tumulus is approximately 40m long.
• Stone material is black mica schist, or Tsukuba stone.
• Figurative haniwa fragments have been confirmed.

Read more about Akedo Burial Mound

Explore a significant Jomon period shell mound and village site, offering a glimpse into ancient life.

What it is

• A Jomon period shell mound and circular village site.
• Designated a National Historic Site on March 13, 1979.
• Formed from the middle to late Jomon period.
• Part of the Kaizuka-cho Shell Mound Group.

What to see

• A horseshoe-shaped shell layer, nearly circular.
• The shell layer extends 150 meters north-south and 160 meters east-west.
• Confirmed storage pits and pit dwellings.
• A tunnel constructed to preserve the site.

Read more about Arayashiki Shell Mound

Explore a large 7th-century burial mound, a National Historic Site, showcasing ancient Japanese tomb construction.

What it is

• A square-shaped kofun, or ancient burial mound.
• Part of the Ryukakuji Kofun Group.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Built around the late 7th century.

What to see

• A large mound, 38 meters on each side.
• The mound is constructed in three tiers.
• A surrounding ditch encircles the mound.
• A horizontal stone burial chamber.
• The stone chamber opens to the southeast.
• The stone chamber uses shell fossil rock.

Read more about Miso Iwaya Kofun

Explore Chiba's largest ancient keyhole-shaped tomb, a National Historic Site with rare artifacts.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, Dairizuka Kofun.
• Part of the Dairizuka Kofun Group.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Built in the mid-5th century.

What to see

• Chiba Prefecture's largest kofun, 144 meters long.
• Posterior circular part, 84 meters in diameter.
• Anterior square part, 88 meters wide.
• Excavated human skeletons and iron weapons.
• A bronze mirror was found.
• Gilt bronze quiver fittings from Korea.

Read more about Dairizuka Kofun

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, a significant National Historic Site.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped burial mound, part of the Dairizuka Kofun Group.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Second largest kofun in its group.

What to see

• Mound is approximately 122 meters long.
• Total length, including moats, is about 193 meters.
• Front part is about 7.3 meters high.
• Rear circular part is about 6 meters high.
• Main burial chamber is undisturbed.
• Stone chamber is at least 8.5 meters long.

Read more about Sanjōzuka Kofun

Explore a large 5th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, a designated historic site in Chiba Prefecture.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped Kofun (ancient burial mound).
• Dates to the first half to middle of the 5th century.
• Designated a Chiba Prefecture Historic Site.
• Part of the Anegasaki Kofun Group.

What to see

• A 103-meter long keyhole-shaped mound.
• Mound built in three stages on a sand dune.
• Rows of cylindrical Haniwa (clay figures) were found.
• A stone pillow from the Kofun is a National Important Cultural Property.

Read more about Anesaki Futago-zuka Kofun

Explore a 7th-century square tomb with a unique stone chamber, revealing ancient burial practices.

What it is

• A square tomb built in the 7th century.
• Designated a Chiba City Cultural Property in 1960.
• Also called "Ishi no Karato" due to its stone chamber.

What to see

• The burial mound, with a side length of 9 meters.
• The stone chamber made of tuffaceous sandstone blocks.
• A short passage leading to the main chamber.
• The main chamber, which is 2.07 meters long.
• Evidence of continental tomb system influence.

Read more about Araku Kofun

Explore ancient burial mounds, including keyhole-shaped tombs, from 4th to 7th century Japan.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds (kofun).
• Dates from the late 4th century to the late 7th century.
• Located in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture.

What to see

• 11 keyhole-shaped, 2 square-front, 20 round, and 1 square tumuli.
• Anesaki Tenjinyama Kofun, 130 meters long.
• Anesaki Futagozuka Kofun, 103 meters long.
• Shakayama Kofun, 86 meters long.
• Rokuson'ohara Kofun, a square-front, square-rear tumulus.

Read more about Anesaki Kofun Cluster

Explore a large cluster of ancient burial mounds, including Japan's second-largest square tumulus.

What it is

• A cluster of 114 ancient burial mounds (kofun).
• Built from the early 6th century to the 7th century.
• Designated a national historic site in 1941 and 2009.

What to see

• View 37 keyhole-shaped, 6 square, and 71 circular tumuli.
• See Kofun No. 101, the oldest scallop-shaped tumulus.
• Visit Iwaya Kofun, Japan's second-largest square tumulus.
• Observe Asamayama Kofun, one of the largest in the area.

Read more about Ryūgakuji Kofun Cluster

Explore ancient burial mounds, including a keyhole-shaped tumulus and a preserved stone coffin.

What it is

• A group of ancient burial mounds, called tumuli.
• Located near Saginuma Castle in Narashino City.
• Tumuli date to the late 6th century.

What to see

• Tumulus A is a keyhole-shaped mound, 25 meters long.
• Cylindrical Haniwa from Tumulus A.
• Tumulus B is a keyhole-shaped mound.
• Box-shaped stone coffin in Tumulus B is a historic site.
• Stone coffin in Tumulus B is 2 meters long, 0.8 meters wide.

Read more about Saginuma Kofun Cluster

Explore an ancient Jomon-period shell mound and museum, revealing early Japanese life.

What it is

• A complex archaeological site in Funabashi City.
• Dates back to the Early Jomon period.
• Discovered in 1932, designated a Historic Site in 1997.
• Developed into Tobinodai Historic Site Park.

What to see

• The shell mound, a preserved archaeological site.
• Adjacent museum with excavated artifacts.
• Museum displays include dioramas of ancient life.
• Remains from Paleolithic and Kofun periods.

Read more about Tobinodai Shell Mound

Arami Shell Mound is a significant Jomon period site, offering insights into ancient Japanese life.

What it is

• A Jomon period shell mound.
• Dates from the late to final Jomon period.
• Known as the last large Jomon period shell mound.
• Located in Narita City, Chiba Prefecture.

What to see

• A monument marks the shell mound.
• The thickest shell layer is about 1 meter.
• Most excavated shells are Yamato shijimi.
• Arami-style pottery was excavated.
• Pottery with rice grain impressions was found.

Read more about Arami Shell Mound

Explore a large, horseshoe-shaped Jomon period settlement, a designated National Historic Site.

What it is

• A Jomon period settlement site.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1981.
• Its existence was known since the Meiji era.
• Full-scale excavation began in the 1940s.

What to see

• A large settlement site.
• A shell layer in a horseshoe shape.
• Shell layer is 200m east-west and 150m north-south.
• Site is on a plateau about 25m above sea level.
• Now Kotehashi Shell Mound Park.

Read more about Kotehashi Shell Mound