9 Historic sites in Kagoshima worth your time

Ancient burial mounds, including Japan's southernmost keyhole tomb, offer a glimpse into early Japanese history.

What it is

• A group of ancient burial mounds, called kofun.
• Designated a national historic site in 1945.
• Built around the 4th to 5th centuries.
• Includes Japan's southernmost keyhole-shaped tomb.

What to see

• 59 kofun and 29 underground horizontal tombs.
• Five keyhole-shaped tombs.
• Kofun 51, Japan's southernmost keyhole-shaped tomb.
• A large camphor tree on Kofun 1, a national natural monument.
• Yayoi period dwelling remains in the area.
• Artifacts at the Kimotsuki Town History and Folklore Museum.

Address

鹿児島県肝属郡肝付町野崎2027-3 Map

Read more about Tsukazaki Kofun Group

Hayatozuka is a National Historic Site featuring ancient stone pagodas and guardian statues.

What it is

• Buddhist-related ruin in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Designated a National Historic Site on March 3, 1921.
• Restoration work on the site completed in 2000.

What to see

• Three multi-tiered stone pagodas and four Shitenno stone statues.
• Central stone pagoda is 6.6 meters tall.
• Two side stone pagodas are approximately 5.5 to 5.6 meters tall.
• Buddhist images carved into the shaft stones of the pagodas.
• Warrior stone statues are images of the Four Heavenly Kings.

Read more about Hayatozuka Mound

Yokose Kofun is a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, significant for its size and historical artifacts.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Dates to the mid-to-late 5th century.
• Second largest kofun in Kagoshima Prefecture.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped mound, 137 meters long.
• Mound surrounded by a 12-23 meter wide moat.
• Total length with moat is 160 meters.
• Cylindrical and figurative Haniwa were found.
• A pit-style stone chamber is the burial facility.
• Sue ware was among excavated items.

Read more about Yokose Kofun

Explore Japan's oldest large-scale settled community remains, dating back over 10,000 years.

What it is

• An archaeological site spanning from the Early Jomon period.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Maintained as the Uenohara Jomon-no-Mori historical park.
• Discovered in 1986 during industrial park construction.

What to see

• Japan's oldest large-scale settled community remains.
• Exhibition facilities and a cultural property center.
• Earthenware designated a National Important Cultural Property.
• Fifty-two pit dwellings.

Official site

www.jomon-no-mori.jp

Read more about Uenohara

Explore ancient burial mounds from the Kofun period, including Kagoshima's largest cluster, a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds, called kofun.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1934.
• The largest kofun group in Kagoshima Prefecture.
• Dates to Japan's middle Kofun period.

What to see

• 130 kofun, including three keyhole-shaped mounds.
• 119 round kofun are part of the cluster.
• Tōjin Ōtsuka Kofun (No. 1) is 140 meters long.
• The cluster is located on the Kimotsuki River's left bank.

Read more about Tōjin Kofun Cluster

Explore an ancient cemetery and museum on a coastal dune, known for unique shell artifacts.

What it is

• A cemetery site from the late Yayoi period to the 7th century.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2008.
• Maintained as a historical park.

What to see

• A coastal sand dune facing the Pacific Ocean.
• Hirota Site Museum, opened in 2015.
• Exhibits of 157 human bones from 90 burial structures.
• Over 44,000 excavated shell products.
• Unique shell products like 'kaifu' and 'ryuhaikei kaisei suishoku'.

Read more about Hirota Site

Explore an archaeological site spanning Jomon to Heian periods, revealing ancient village life.

What it is

• A complex archaeological site.
• Spans from the Jomon to Heian periods.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1924.
• Clarified Jomon and Yayoi period chronology.

What to see

• Jomon pottery found below Yayoi pottery.
• Restored pit dwellings from an ancient village.
• Ibusuki City Archaeological Museum is adjacent.

When to go

• Visit anytime during museum operating hours.

Read more about Hashimuregawa Site

Explore an ancient settlement on Kikaijima, revealing centuries of island history and trade.

What it is

• A group of eight archaeological sites near Gusuku settlement.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 2017.
• Estimated age ranges from the 9th to 15th centuries.
• Investigations began in 2003.

What to see

• Hundreds of pillar-supported building remains.
• Pit graves and cremation graves.
• Chinese and Korean ceramics.
• Numerous 12th-century iron smelting furnace remains.

Read more about Gusuku Site

This site showcases one of western Japan's largest Jomon settlements, featuring ancient artifacts and replica shelters.

What it is

• Site of one of the largest Jomon settlements in western Japan.
• Dates back 3,500 to 4,000 years.
• Discovered in 1971 by a teenager farming.
• Exhibit of excavated implements established by volunteers.

What to see

• Permanent exhibit of excavated stone implements and pottery.
• Authentic replicas of Jomon shelters on the site.

Read more about Yokomine Site