10 Historic sites in Miyazaki worth your time

Explore Japan's largest kofun cluster, a vast ancient burial ground with unique tomb shapes.

What it is

• One of Japan's largest kofun (burial mound) clusters.
• Construction occurred from the early 4th to early 7th centuries.
• Designated a Special National Historic Site.
• First academic survey was conducted from 1912 to 1917.

What to see

• 319 kofun, including 31 keyhole-shaped kofun.
• 10 horizontal tombs and 12 underground horizontal tombs.
• Osahozuka, Japan's largest scallop-shell shaped kofun.
• Mesahozuka, Kyushu's largest keyhole-shaped kofun.
• Miyazaki Prefectural Saitobaru Archaeological Museum displays artifacts.

Official site

mppf.or.jp

Read more about Saitobaru Kofun Cluster

Explore ancient burial mounds at Kyushu's largest Kofun cluster, a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds (kofun).
• Dates from the early to middle Kofun period.
• Construction began in the late 3rd or early 4th century.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• The largest Kofun cluster in Kyushu for its period.
• 51 kofun, 36 underground pit graves, 49 pit graves.
• The 3rd kofun is the largest in the cluster.
• The 5th kofun has fukiishi and cylindrical haniwa.
• Ikime Kofun Cluster Historic Site Park.

Read more about Ikime Kofun Cluster

Explore ancient burial mounds, including keyhole-shaped tombs, and see important artifacts from early Japan.

What it is

• A cluster of ancient burial mounds from the 5th to 6th centuries.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1961.
• Contains 10 keyhole-shaped and 75 round burial mounds.

What to see

• View the distinctive keyhole-shaped burial mounds.
• See excavated artifacts, some are Important Cultural Properties.
• Two bronze mirrors from Mochida No. 25 Kofun are designated.
• Horse fittings from Mochida No. 56 Kofun are Important Art Objects.

Read more about Mochida Kofun Cluster

Explore 207 ancient burial mounds, including unique keyhole-shaped tombs, on the Nyutabaru Plateau.

What it is

• A general term for four kofun (burial mound) groups.
• Designated a National Historic Site on November 13, 1944.
• Managed by Shintomi Town.
• Excavations conducted by the Shintomi Town Board of Education.

What to see

• 207 tumuli on the Nyutabaru Plateau.
• Tsukahara, Ishifune, Yamanoho, and Gionbara Kofun Groups.
• Gionbara Kofun Group has 154 tumuli.
• Hyakusokuzuka Kofun is a keyhole-shaped tumulus.

Read more about Nyūtabaru Kofun Cluster

Explore a large 5th-century imperial tomb, part of a significant ancient burial mound complex.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, or burial mound.
• Part of the Saitobaru Kofun Group in Miyazaki Prefecture.
• Designated as an imperial tomb reference site.
• Construction estimated around the early 5th century.

What to see

• A three-tiered mound, 176 meters long.
• A double moat surrounding the tumulus.
• Adjacent to the Osahozuka Kofun.
• One of the largest tumuli in the Kyushu region.

Read more about Mesahozuka Kofun

Explore a 5th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, a national historic site with ancient treasures.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, 110 meters long.
• Dates to the early to mid-5th century.
• Designated a national historic site in 1973.
• Part of the Chausubaru Kofun Group.

What to see

• The 64-meter diameter, 7.5-meter high circular rear.
• The 63-meter wide, 7.1-meter high square front.
• A shield-shaped moat surrounds the mound.
• Excavated bronze mirror, iron swords, and beads.

Read more about Koyanetsuka Burial Mound

Explore ancient burial mounds on a plateau, a significant National Historic Site.

What it is

• A cluster of 55 ancient burial mounds.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1973.

What to see

• Three keyhole-shaped kofun.
• Fifty-two round kofun.
• Koyane-zuka Kofun, the most excavated mound.

Getting there

• 10 minutes by car from Saito IC.
• 20 minutes by taxi from Takanabe Station.

Read more about Chausubaru Kofun Cluster

Explore a large, square, 7th-century burial mound designated a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Built in the early 7th century.
• A large, independently built square tomb.

What to see

• A square-shaped kofun.
• Measures 25 meters north-south.
• Measures 23.8 meters east-west.
• Presumed horizontal stone burial chamber.

Read more about Jōshinzuka Kofun

Explore ancient tomb caves and a history museum at this national historic site.

What it is

• A national historic site designated in 1971.
• Now known as Hasugaike Historic Park.

What to see

• Eighty-one horizontal tomb caves.
• Miyazaki History and Culture Museum.

Getting there

• 20-minute walk from JR Hasugaike Station.
• 10-minute walk from Shinmezume bus stop.

Read more about Hasugaike Kofun Cluster

Explore the historical administrative center of Hyūga Province, a key site in ancient Kyushu.

What it is

• Former administrative center of Hyūga Province.
• Established after the Jinshin War.
• Located in Koyu County.

What to see

• Hyūga Kokubunji temple in Saimi, Miyazaki Prefecture.

Read more about Hyūga Kokufu