20 Historic sites in Kyoto worth your time

Ancient burial mound with rare human remains and treasures, offering a glimpse into 5th-century Japan.

What it is

• A scallop-shaped keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Built in the first half of the 5th century.
• Discovered during an archaeological survey in 1987.
• Original site is now part of a factory.

What to see

• A park with a quarter-scale restoration of the tumulus.
• Excavated stone coffin and artifacts are cultural properties.
• Complete human remains of an adult female were found.
• Three sacred treasures: a mirror, a jewel, and a sword.
• Tumulus has a total length of 32 meters.
• Posterior circular part has a diameter of 26 meters.

Read more about Otani Kofun (Kyotango City)

See Japan's oldest dated mirror from this ancient burial mound.

What it is

• A rectangular burial mound, part of the Ota Minami Kofun-gun.
• It is located in Kyotango City, Kyoto Prefecture.
• It dates back to at least 235 AD.

What to see

• The mound contains four burial facilities.
• The main burial facility is a stone coffin.
• A square-rimmed four-god mirror was excavated here.
• The mirror is a National Important Cultural Property.
• It is Japan's oldest dated mirror, inscribed 235 AD.

Getting there

• Located on a hill west of the Takeno River.

Read more about Ōtaminami No. 5 Burial Mound

Explore a rare Yayoi period tumulus with unique burial structures and artifacts from ancient Japan.

What it is

• A late Yayoi period tumulus, Akasakaimai Tumuli.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Contains burial facilities from ancient times.

What to see

• A truncated conical tumulus, 4 meters high.
• Base measures 39 meters north-south, 36 meters east-west.
• Flat top measures 27 meters north-south, 25 meters east-west.
• 6 burial facilities on the summit, 19 at the base.
• Boat-shaped and box-shaped wooden coffins.
• Excavated jade beads, glass beads, iron swords, iron tools.

Read more about Akasakaimai Tumuli

Explore a 5th-century burial mound with unique artifacts, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese history.

What it is

• A kofun (burial mound) in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture.
• Built around the latter half of the 5th century.
• Excavation surveys conducted in 1956 and from 1998 onwards.

What to see

• A square-shaped mound, 38 meters per side, 5 meters high.
• Mound constructed in two tiers.
• Cylindrical and figurative Haniwa found on the exterior.
• A surrounding moat and outer embankment.
• A direct burial facility with a wooden coffin.
• Grave goods: spear, bronze mirror, armor, weapons.

Read more about Bōzuzuka Kofun

Explore a 6th-century chief's tomb, a keyhole-shaped mound with unique burial facilities.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus from the early 6th century.
• Part of the Otokuni Kofun Group.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Considered a chief's tomb of its period.

What to see

• A mound built on a low terrace at 42 meters elevation.
• No terracing, fukiishi, or haniwa on the mound.
• Two burial facilities: a stone chamber and a wooden coffin.
• Stone chamber measures 10.1 meters in total length.
• Excavated artifacts include horse trappings, sword fittings, and pottery.

Read more about Inouchi Inarizuka Kofun

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped tomb with significant historical artifacts.

What it is

• A kofun (ancient burial mound) in Nagaokakyo City.
• Designated a National Historic Site since 1981.
• Became Igenoyama Kofun Park in 2014.
• Estimated to have been built in the 5th century.

What to see

• Largest keyhole-shaped tumulus in the Otokuni region.
• Total length is approximately 128 meters.
• See confirmed haniwa rows and fukiishi.
• Excavated artifacts are Kyoto Prefecture Tangible Cultural Property.
• More than 700 iron weapons were unearthed.

Read more about Igenoyama Kofun

Visit this rare octagonal kofun, the tomb of Emperor Tenji, a model for imperial tombs.

What it is

• An octagonal kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Designated as Yamashina-no-misasagi by the Imperial Household Agency.
• It is the tomb of Emperor Tenji.
• Built between the late 7th and 8th centuries.

What to see

• The upper circular part is about 46 meters across.
• The lower square part is about 70 meters per side.
• The kofun stands 8 meters high.

Getting there

• Take Keihan Bus to Ryōgaoka Tenji Tennōryō stop.

Official site

www.kunaicho.go.jp

Read more about Gobyōno Kofun

Explore a well-preserved 6th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, possibly of the Hata clan.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, or burial mound.
• Estimated to have been built in the 6th century.
• Designated as Nakano Shinno's tomb in 1875.
• Archaeologically presumed to be a tomb of the Hata clan.

What to see

• A well-preserved tumulus mound.
• The tumulus is approximately 63 meters long.
• Rear circular part has a diameter of about 39 meters.
• Front square part has a width of about 55 meters.
• A moat surrounds the tumulus perimeter.

Read more about Tarumiyama Kofun

Explore ancient burial mounds with unique stone chambers and artifacts from the Kofun period.

What it is

• A kofun group from the late Kofun period.
• Built from the late 6th to early 7th century.
• Excavated in 1962 by Doshisha University.

What to see

• Three kofun with horizontal stone chambers.
• Kofun 1 on the southwest side of a ridge.
• Kofun 2 and 3 are 70 meters northeast of Kofun 1.
• Stone chamber of Kofun 1 is 6.6 meters long.
• Stone chambers of Kofun 1 and 3 use tuff breccia.
• Artifacts include magatama, swords, and Sue ware.

Read more about Ōdomari Kofun Group

Hanareko is Kyoto's largest freshwater lake, offering cherry blossoms, fishing, and a summer festival.

What it is

• Largest freshwater lake in Kyoto Prefecture.
• Also known as Katsumi.
• Once part of a bay connected to the Sea of Japan.
• Considered Kyoto Prefecture's only natural lake.

What to see

• About 300 cherry blossom trees.
• Lake circumference is 3.8 kilometers.

When to go

• Fishing for gengorobuna and carp from April to June.
• Obamahanareyama Benten Festival with fireworks in July.
• Cherry blossoms in season.

Read more about Hanareko Kofun

Explore Itsukahara Kofun, an ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, significant for its age and design.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, or kofun.
• Part of the Mukohigaoka Kofun Group.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Dates to the mid-to-late 3rd century.

What to see

• One of the oldest large keyhole-shaped tumuli.
• Located on a ridge of Mukohigaoka Hill.
• Posterior circular part has three tiers.
• Anterior part has two tiers.
• Total length of the tumulus is 91.2 meters.
• Posterior circular part has a 55 meter diameter.

Read more about Itsukahara Kofun

Explore a large, 6th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, the biggest in the Yura River basin.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Dates to the first half of the 6th century.
• Largest kofun in the Yura River basin.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, 54 meters long.
• Two-tiered posterior circular part, 34 meters diameter.
• Posterior circular part stands 5.5 meters high.
• One-tiered anterior square part, 30 meters wide.
• Anterior square part stands 3.5 meters high.
• Located on a tongue-shaped hill.

Read more about Takatsuki Chausuyama Kofun

Explore a 16th-century river embankment, a national historic site showcasing early flood control engineering.

What it is

• A modern civil engineering structure, a revetment.
• Located on the right bank of the Uji River.
• Designated a national historic site on July 23, 2009.
• Considered related to Hideyoshi's embankment construction.

What to see

• Excavated revetment structure, about 400 meters long.
• Water control structures that weaken water flow.
• Four stone protrusions are visible.
• One pile protrusion is also confirmed.

Read more about Uji River Taikō Embankment Site

Explore ancient burial mounds, including a large keyhole-shaped tumulus, offering a glimpse into early Kofun history.

What it is

• A group of 42 ancient burial mounds (tumuli).
• Designated as a prefectural historic site.
• Confirmed by a distribution survey in 1981.
• Considered an early Kofun period site.

What to see

• Wakutayama Tumulus No. 1, a large keyhole-shaped mound.
• Tumulus No. 1 is about 100 meters long.
• Low hills along the Takeno River where tumuli are located.
• Takunomiya Shrine on the hillside.

Read more about Wakutayamakofungun

Explore Hebizuka Kofun, a unique keyhole-shaped burial mound from the late Kofun period.

What it is

• A kofun, or ancient burial mound, in Kyoto.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Dates to the late 6th to early 7th century.
• Named for snakes living in its stone chamber.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, about 75 meters long.
• Exposed stone chamber, 17.8 meters long.
• Main room is 6.8m long, 3.8m wide, 5.2m high.
• Latest keyhole-shaped tumulus in Kyoto Prefecture.

Read more about Hebizuka Kofun

Kaichi Kofun was a large, ancient tomb, now gone, but its artifacts are important.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tomb mound from the late 4th century.
• It was the largest early Kofun period tomb in Kuwata-gun.
• Discovered in 1972 during road widening work.

What to see

• The burial mound no longer exists.
• Excavated artifacts are National Important Cultural Properties.
• Nantan City Museum displays a model and artifacts.
• Artifacts include bronze mirrors, beads, and swords.

Read more about Kaichi Kofun

Largest 6th-century keyhole-shaped tomb in Tanba region, a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Constructed in the early 6th century.
• Largest kofun in the Tanba region for its period.

What to see

• A tumulus approximately 82 meters long.
• Three-tiered construction.
• Fukiishi (river stones) and haniwa (clay figures).
• A double moat surrounding the tumulus.
• Platform facilities confirmed by excavations.

Read more about Chitose Kurumazuka Kofun

Explore a 3rd-century chieftain's keyhole-shaped tomb, a National Historic Site with important artifacts.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture.
• Part of the Kuzugawa Kofun group.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Dates to the mid-3rd century.

What to see

• The historic park, open to the public.
• The leveled front part of the mound.
• The burial facility, a direct burial in a wooden coffin.
• Artifacts: bronze mirror, bronze bracelets, jade.

Read more about Shibagahara Kofun

Shōgunzuka offers panoramic Kyoto views from an ancient burial mound with historical legends.

What it is

• An ancient burial mound on Higashiyama ridge in Kyoto.
• One of three Kofun period circular burial mounds.
• Known as Shōgunzuka since the medieval period.
• Site of the Shōren-in Monzeki Shōgunzuka Seiryū-den.

What to see

• A mound with a 20m diameter and 2m height.
• Hand-planted pine trees and stone pillars.
• Views from the summit of Kajōzan.

Official site

www.shogunzuka.com

Read more about Shōgunzuka

Explore a 4th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, a designated National Historic Site in Kyoto.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1922.
• Opened as a historic park in 1994.
• Part of the Otokuni Kofun Group.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Mound is 83.0 meters long.
• Posterior circular part is 50.5 meters wide, 7.2 meters high.
• Anterior square part is 33.5 meters wide, 4.8 meters high.

Read more about Tenno-no-mori Kofun