10 Historic sites in Fukushima worth your time

Explore two ancient, large kofun burial mounds, including Fukushima's largest, designated a National Historic Site.

What it is

• Two kofun (burial mounds) in Aizu-Bange Town, Fukushima Prefecture.
• Part of the Aotsu Kofun group.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1976.
• Built around the late 4th century.

What to see

• Kamegamori Kofun, a keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Chinjumori Kofun, a square-front, square-rear burial mound.
• Kamegamori Kofun is the largest in Fukushima Prefecture.
• Kamegamori Kofun is the second largest in the Tohoku region.
• Kamegamori Kofun has a total length of 129.4 meters.
• Chinjumori Kofun has a total length of 55.2 meters.

Read more about Kamegamori-Chinjumori Kofun

Explore Jomon-era village traces and unique ancient dwellings at this archaeological park.

What it is

• Jomon period archaeological site.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2003.
• Developed as an urban historic park.
• Opened in 2015.

What to see

• Traces of three Jomon period villages.
• About 40 pit dwellings from the Middle Jomon period.
• Buildings with soil roofs from the Middle Jomon period.
• Stone-paved floor buildings from the Late Jomon period.
• Circularly arranged pillar-supported buildings from the Final Jomon period.

When to go

• Miyahata Jomon Festival is held annually in October.

Read more about Miyahata Site

Ancient cave tomb with vibrant wall paintings and artifacts from the 7th century.

What it is

• A horizontal-style decorated kofun (ancient tomb).
• Discovered in 1933 during road expansion.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1934.
• Constructed in the early 7th century.

What to see

• Stone chamber with a back wall, entrance, and passage.
• Back wall images of animals, horsemen, and figures.
• Left wall with spiral patterns and horsemen.
• Right wall depicting a mortar, horse, and bead patterns.
• Ceiling adorned with several spiral patterns.
• Excavated artifacts include swords, knives, and copper rings.

Read more about Izumizaki Cave Tomb

Explore ancient burial mounds, including Tohoku's largest keyhole tomb, at this historic park.

What it is

• A group of ancient burial mounds (kofun).
• Discovered in 1991, excavated 1996-1998.
• The 1st tumulus is a national historic site.
• Constructed in the late 4th century.

What to see

• One keyhole-shaped tomb and four circular tombs.
• The largest keyhole-shaped tomb in the Tohoku region.
• The 1st tumulus is estimated to be 83 meters long.
• A historic park developed around the kofun group.
• Excavated bracelet-shaped stone products.
• Excavated swords, spears, and iron axes.

Official site

www.bunka-manabi.sakura.ne.jp

Read more about Ōyasuba Kofun

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped tomb from Japan's early Kofun period.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tomb, also called Sakurai Kofun Group No. 1 Tomb.
• Built in the early Kofun period.
• Designated a National Historic Site.

What to see

• The tomb is 74.5 meters long and 6.8 meters high.
• It is the fourth largest keyhole-shaped tomb in Tohoku.
• Observe the surrounding moat.
• Two split-bamboo-shaped wooden coffins were found.
• Pottery with perforated bottoms was excavated.

Getting there

• Accessible by car from Haramachi Station.

Read more about Sakurai Kofun

Explore ancient burial mounds and a residence, offering a glimpse into Shirakawa's historical heart.

What it is

• A National Historic Site designated in May 2005.
• Consists of three distinct archaeological sites.
• Represents the central region of ancient Shirakawa.

What to see

• Shimotsukazuka Kofun, a 71-meter keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Horizontal stone chamber of andesite inside Shimotsukazuka Kofun.
• Yachikubo Kofun, a circular tumulus 17 meters in diameter.
• Funada Nakamichi Site, an aristocratic residence about 70 meters per side.

Read more about Shirakawa Funada-Motonuma Sites

Explore a large 4th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, a National Historic Site with important artifacts.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, built in the late 4th century.
• Part of the Ikki Kofun group in Aizuwakamatsu City.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Second largest kofun in Fukushima Prefecture.

What to see

• The mound is 114 meters long.
• Rear circular part has a 70-meter diameter.
• Rear circular part is 10 meters high.
• Front part has a width of 54 meters.
• Excavated artifacts are Important Cultural Properties.

Read more about Ōtsukayama Kofun

See the last remaining pair of Edo-period distance markers on the Oshu Kaido.

What it is

• The 59th ichirizuka from Edo on the Oshu Kaido.
• Ichirizuka are ancient distance markers.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• The only remaining pair on the Oshu Kaido.

What to see

• Well-preserved east mound, 5 meters in diameter.
• Well-preserved west mound, 6 meters in diameter.

Getting there

• 10-minute drive from JR Tohoku Main Line Sukagawa Station.

Read more about Sukagawa Ichirizuka

Explore a well-preserved 7th-century burial mound with a unique stone chamber.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Constructed around the late 7th century.
• Designated a Fukushima Prefecture historic site in 1988.

What to see

• A horizontal stone burial chamber.
• Chamber is 3.9 meters long, 2.05 meters wide, 1.8 meters high.
• Back wall is a single large stone.
• Side walls are two-tiered rectangular stones.
• Floor made of combined slab-like cut stones.

Read more about Miyanomae Kofun

Explore this ancient, large burial mound, a National Historic Site with nearby historical ruins.

What it is

• A circular burial mound, Kabutozuka Kofun.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1923.
• Estimated construction: late 6th to late 7th century.

What to see

• A kofun with a 37-meter diameter.
• A kofun with a height of 8.2 meters.
• Nearby ruins of a Nara period temple.
• Nearby Engishikinaisha Okunitama Shrine.

Read more about Kabutozuka Kofun