5 Historic sites in Kōchi worth your time
Japan Gems
5 Historic sites in Kōchi, with what to see and how to get there.
Kōchi has 5 historic sites on Japan Gems. Below are the 5 we can tell you the most about — each one written up in English from Japanese sources, with what to see and how to get there. See all historic sites in Kōchi.
01
Nagaune Kofun Cluster
KōCHI · HISTORIC SITE 長畝古墳群
Ancient burial mounds offering a glimpse into early Japanese history and construction.
What it is
- A cluster of four ancient burial mounds (kofun).
- Different tumuli were built over three distinct periods.
- Preserved in Nagaune Kofun Park.
What to see
- Four tumuli, three of which have been excavated.
- Nagaune No. 2 Kofun has two main burial structures.
- Nagaune No. 3 Kofun has a pit-style stone chamber.
- Nagaune No. 4 Kofun is a circular tumulus, 10.1 meters in diameter.
- Nagaune No. 4 Kofun has an early horizontal-entry stone chamber.
- Observe tumuli from different construction periods.
02
Shingai Kofun
KōCHI · HISTORIC SITE 新改古墳
Explore a 7th-century circular burial mound with a unique stone chamber and ancient grave goods.
What it is
- A circular burial mound, or kofun, from the early 7th century.
- Part of the Shingai Kofun group in Kami City.
- Designated as a historic site by Kami City.
What to see
- A circular kofun 15 meters in diameter and 5 meters high.
- A 9.4-meter-long single-sleeved horizontal stone burial chamber.
- Personal ornaments, iron products, and horse fittings were found.
- Excavated artifacts are at the Kochi Prefectural Museum of History.
03
Sukumo Shell Mound
KōCHI · HISTORIC SITE 宿毛貝塚
Explore a significant Jomon period shell mound, revealing ancient life and artifacts.
What it is
- A shell mound from the late Jomon period.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1957.
- Discovered in 1891 by Masamichi Teraishi.
What to see
- The mound is on a plateau at the foot of Ganjoji Mountain.
- Divided into East Shell Mound and West Shell Mound.
- Shell layers contain various shells, mainly clams.
- Unearthed Jomon pottery, stone tools, and animal bones.
- Fish bones, shells, and buried human bones were also found.
04
Tamura Archaeological Sites
KōCHI · HISTORIC SITE 田村遺跡群
Explore a large Yayoi period settlement with extensive remains and ancient artifacts.
What it is
- A large Yayoi period settlement site.
- Discovered in 1955 by Hamada Harumi.
- Excavated for airport expansion projects.
- Spans from the Jomon period to modern times.
What to see
- Remains of about 850 buildings.
- Triple moats from the settlement.
- Yayoi pottery fragments.
- Glass beads and stone axes.
- Pottery from the Kinki region.
05
Tōjin Daba
KōCHI · HISTORIC SITE 唐人駄場
Tōjin Daba is a mountain site with unique, large granite boulders from the prehistoric Jomon period.
What it is
- Prehistoric Jomon period habitation site.
- Located in the mountains near Tosashimizu.
What to see
- Huge rocks up to 7 meters tall, called tojin-ishi.
- Granite boulders formed from hardened magma.
- Solid rocks, devoid of cracks.