20 Historic sites in Hyōgo worth your time

Explore ancient burial mounds, including Hyogo's sixth-largest, at this historic park.

What it is

• A cluster of kofun (tumuli) in Kasai City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• A nationally designated historic site.
• Consists of seven tumuli, including Tamaoka and Kuwansu-zuka Kofun.
• The surrounding area is Tamaoka Historic Site Park.

What to see

• Various shapes: keyhole, circular, and scallop-shaped tumuli.
• Tamaoka Kofun, a keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Tamaoka Kofun is the sixth largest in Hyogo Prefecture.
• Kuwansu-zuka Kofun, a circular tumulus.
• Dantozan Kofun, another circular tumulus.
• First and second 陪塚 east and west of Tamaoka Kofun.

Getting there

• 30-minute walk from Hojocho Station.
• Hojocho Station is on the Hojo Railway Hojo Line.

Read more about Tamaoka Kofun Cluster

Explore ancient burial mounds and settlement ruins from Japan's early periods.

What it is

• A complex of ruins designated a city historic site.
• Contains settlement remains from Jomon to Heian periods.
• Designated a historic site on April 1, 1968.

What to see

• Miyayama Otsuka Kofun, a scallop-shaped tumulus.
• The Otsuka Kofun has a 40-meter diameter rear mound.
• Five circular tumuli are north of Otsuka Kofun.
• One circular tumulus is south of Otsuka Kofun.
• Jomon period settlement remains are on the east side.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from JR Kakogawa Line Yakujin Station.

Read more about Miyayama Kofun Group

This megalithic monument, one of Japan's three wonders, appears to float and has a mysterious origin.

What it is

• Megalithic monument enshrined at Oushiko Jinja Shrine.
• Called Uki-ishi (Celestial Floating Stone) by local people.
• One of the three wonders of Japan.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2017.

What to see

• Enormous stone, 5.7m high, 6.4m wide, 7.2m thick, weighing 453,000kg.
• Stone appears to float above a pool of water.
• Cavity in bedrock around the monument.
• Triangular prism protrusion on one side of the stone.
• Space to walk around the entire megalith for a small fee.
• Nearby Tatsuyama Tomb No. 1.

Read more about Ishi-no-Hōden

Explore Tano Site, a National Historic Site, to see Yayoi period ruins and artifacts.

What it is

• A Yayoi period ruin designated as a National Historic Site.
• Discovered in 1965 during construction work.
• Designated a National Historic Site on June 30, 1969.

What to see

• Many Yayoi pottery pieces were uncovered.
• Wooden coffins from the Yayoi period were discovered.
• Human remains found in wooden coffin burials.
• Excavated items include pottery, stone tools, and iron products.
• A bronze sword mold fragment is a cultural property.
• A white bronze bracelet is a cultural property.

Read more about Tano Site

Explore Nishiyama Kita Kofun, Awaji Island's largest ancient stone burial chamber, a significant historical site.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Presumed to be a circular tomb (Enpun).
• Designated a Minamiawaji City Historic Site.
• Constructed around the late 6th century.

What to see

• The largest existing stone chamber on Awaji Island.
• A burial chamber of the Ryosode-shiki Yokoana-shiki Sekishitsu type.
• The stone chamber opens to the south.
• Tomb diameter estimated at 15 or 20 meters.
• Stone chamber total length is 8.02 meters.
• Inner chamber maximum height is 2.68 meters.

Read more about Nishiyama Kita Kofun

Explore an ancient ritual site with a unique well and artifacts spanning millennia.

What it is

• An archaeological site in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Excavated in 1993 by the Akashi City Board of Education.
• Features a well used for rituals from Yayoi to Edo periods.

What to see

• A circular, unlined well, 5 meters wide and 4 meters deep.
• Ritual artifacts from the late Yayoi to Kofun periods.
• Ritual artifacts from ancient to early modern times.
• Yayoi pottery unearthed from ditches.
• Excavated items are Hyogo Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.

Read more about Fujie Bessho Ruins

Ancient scallop-shaped burial mound with a shrine on top, a short walk from Inano Station.

What it is

• Ancient scallop-shaped burial mound, built in the late 5th century.
• Designated a Hyogo Prefectural Historic Site in 1966.
• Believed to be the tomb of a local powerful family.
• Minami Shrine was founded on top of the kofun in 1681.

What to see

• The large scallop-shaped kofun mound itself.
• Minami Shrine, built on the kofun's summit.
• Stonework found during 1875 excavations.

Getting there

• 5-minute walk northwest from Inano Station.

Read more about Gogazuka Kofun

Gossakaito is a significant Yayoi-period ironware production site, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese industry.

What it is

• A Yayoi period ruin in Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Largest ironware production settlement from the Yayoi period.
• Existed for about 150 years around the 1st century.

What to see

• Reconstructed pit dwellings used as blacksmith workshops.
• Remains of furnaces for iron processing in 12 dwellings.
• Excavated stone tools for iron processing.
• Site spans 500 meters east-west and 50 meters north-south.

Read more about Gossakaito

Explore ancient burial mounds, including one with a rare double-chamber structure and excavated artifacts.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds.
• Originally consisted of four burial mounds.
• Estimated burial date is latter half of 6th century.
• One mound is a designated historic site.

What to see

• All remaining mounds are circular tumuli.
• Burial chambers are horizontal stone chambers.
• Mound 2 has a diameter of 11 meters.
• Mound 2 features a rare double-chamber structure.
• Excavated earrings, Sue ware, and Haji ware from Mound 2.

Read more about Nakasuji Yamate Higashi No. 2 Burial Mound

Explore Akashi's largest ancient circular burial mound, a significant historical site with unique construction.

What it is

• A tumulus in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Designated an Akashi City Historic Site.
• Dates to the late 4th to early 5th century.
• Largest circular tumulus in Akashi City.

What to see

• Circular mound, 34 meters in diameter.
• Mound stands 4 meters high.
• Fukiishi (revetment stones) on the mound surface.
• Haniwa (clay cylinders) were detected.
• Pit-style stone burial chamber.
• Chamber constructed with slab stones.

Address

兵庫県明石市魚住町清水1275-1 Map

Read more about Nusazuka Burial Mound

Explore a 4th-century burial mound, possibly Prince Abo's tomb, offering a glimpse into ancient history.

What it is

• A kofun, or ancient burial mound, in Ashiya City.
• Designated by the Imperial Household Agency as Prince Abo's tomb.
• Estimated to have been built in the 4th century.
• The actual interred person is not clear.

What to see

• A circular mound with a square moat.
• Possible original keyhole or square mound shape.
• Cylindrical Haniwa rows found on the surface.
• Four copper mirrors excavated during Edo period repairs.

Address

兵庫県芦屋市翠ケ丘町11 Map

Read more about The Mound of Prince Abo

Explore ancient circular burial mounds from the 6th century, including one with a rare double-chamber.

What it is

• A group of clustered tumuli, or burial mounds.
• Constructed in the late 6th century.
• One tumulus is a Takarazuka City Historic Site.
• Originally consisted of four tumuli.

What to see

• Three existing circular mounds.
• Tumulus 1 is 12 meters in diameter.
• Tumulus 2 is 11 meters in diameter.
• Tumulus 2 has a rare double-chamber structure.
• Each existing tumulus has a double-sleeved horizontal stone chamber.

Read more about Nakasujiyamate-Higashi Kofun Group

Ancient keyhole-shaped tomb, possibly of an empress, offering a glimpse into 4th-century Japan.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, or kofun.
• Designated as the tomb of Empress Harima no Inabi no Oiratsume.
• Part of the Hiokayama Kofun Group.
• Estimated to have been constructed in the 4th century.

What to see

• The mound built on top of Mount Hiokayama.
• Total length of approximately 80 meters.
• Rear circular part has a diameter of about 45 meters.
• Front square part has a width of about 33 meters.

Read more about Hioka Goryo Kofun

Explore ancient 6th-century burial mounds, including keyhole and circular kofun with stone chambers.

What it is

• A group of ancient burial mounds (kofun).
• Built around the 6th century.
• Two tumuli are designated historic sites.

What to see

• Three or four tumuli on a river plateau.
• Tumulus No. 2 is a 35-meter keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Tumulus No. 2 has a 10.7-meter horizontal stone chamber.
• Tumulus No. 1 is a circular tumulus.
• Tumulus No. 1 has a 15-meter double-sleeved stone chamber.

Read more about Dōnaka Kofun Group

See a rare 7th-century octagonal tomb, a designated National Historic Site.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Discovered in 1982.
• Dates from the mid-7th century.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1999.

What to see

• An octagonal-shaped kofun.
• Measures about 13 meters in diagonal length.
• Approximately 2.6 meters high.
• An octagonal outer stone arrangement.
• A terrace-like facility on the south side.
• A small horizontal stone burial chamber.

Read more about Nakayamasoen Kofun

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, a significant historical site in Kobe.

What it is

• A Kofun (ancient burial mound) in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.
• Estimated to be built around the early 4th century.
• The first keyhole-shaped Kofun in the Akashi region.
• Designated a Hyogo Prefecture historic site.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped mound, 56 meters long.
• The mound has two stages.
• Two burial facilities are present.
• Built on the top of Yakushiyama mountain.

Read more about Shiramizu Hisagozuka Kofun

Explore a 6th-century keyhole-shaped tomb of a local chief, a designated historic site.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus in Kawanishi City.
• Designated a Hyogo Prefecture historic site.
• Discovered in 1891, dating to the early 6th century.
• Considered the tomb of a local chief.

What to see

• The keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Four burial facilities within the kofun.
• The first stone chamber, the central burial.
• Excavated artifacts are cultural properties.

Address

兵庫県川西市火打2丁目393 Map

Read more about Shōfuku-ji Burial Mound

Explore a large 7th-century burial mound with an impressive stone chamber in Himeji.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Designated as a Himeji City Historic Site.
• Constructed around the mid-7th century.

What to see

• A square-shaped mound, 30 by 24 meters.
• A surrounding ditch, 4-5 meters wide, on the west.
• A single-sleeved horizontal stone chamber.
• Large tuff stones form the 14-meter stone chamber.
• The stone chamber opens to the south.

Read more about Gongenyama Kofun

Largest keyhole-shaped burial mound in Hyogo, free to visit and a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Largest kofun in Hyogo Prefecture.
• Constructed between the late 4th and early 5th centuries.

What to see

• Mound is 194 meters long.
• Mound has three construction stages.
• Cylindrical haniwa rows on its surface.
• Fukiishi on its surface.
• Double moat surrounds the mound.

Read more about Goshikizuka kofun

Explore a significant Yayoi period settlement ruin with diverse archaeological findings.

What it is

• A settlement ruin from the middle to late Yayoi period.
• Designated a prefectural historic site in 1960.
• Designated a national historic site on February 7, 2011.

What to see

• Excavated pit dwellings.
• Excavated ritual sites.
• Excavated raised-floor buildings.
• Excavated pit graves.
• Excavated burnt soil pits.
• Excavated fence remains.

Read more about Egenoyama Site