20 Historic sites in Nara worth your time

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, possibly the oldest in its group.

What it is

• A kofun (ancient burial mound) in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture.
• Part of the Makimuku Kofun Group.
• Possibly the oldest kofun in the Makimuku ruins.
• Designated a National Historic Site on January 26, 2006.

What to see

• A Makimuku-style keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Total length of the mound is 96 meters.
• Posterior circular part has a diameter of 64 meters.
• Anterior part is approximately 32 meters long and 34 meters wide.
• Earthenware from the late Yayoi to early Kofun period was excavated.
• Wooden artifacts like hoes, spades, and mallets were excavated.

Read more about Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun

An octagonal imperial mausoleum, it is a unique and historically significant kofun.

What it is

• A kofun in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture.
• Designated by the Imperial Household Agency as Emperor Jomei's mausoleum.
• It is a kofun from the final period of the Kofun era.
• The first octagonal kofun used as an imperial mausoleum.

What to see

• The kofun has an octagonal shape.
• The mound is an upper octagonal, lower square shape.
• The lower square platform has three tiers.
• The octagonal part has two tiers.
• The lower tier of the octagonal part is covered with stone slabs.
• Villagers reported two stone coffins inside the stone chamber.

Official site

www.kunaicho.go.jp

Read more about Dannozuka Kofun

Explore a large 6th-century burial mound, now a park, with artifacts displayed nearby.

What it is

• A large circular kofun, an ancient burial mound.
• Designated historic site of Yamatokoriyama City.
• Constructed in the first half to middle of the 6th century.
• Now open as a kofun park.

What to see

• A circular mound 49 meters in diameter, 4.5 meters high.
• Reburied single-sleeved horizontal stone chamber.
• Hollowed-out house-shaped stone coffin inside the chamber.
• Mirrors, earrings, and beads from the coffin.
• Horse fittings, armor, and Sue ware found nearby.
• Artifacts displayed at Kashihara Archaeological Institute Museum.

Read more about Warizuka Kofun

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped tomb with unique artifacts and historical significance.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, also known as Shimaneyama Kofun.
• Part of the northern group of the Umami Kofun Cluster.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Forms the Miyake Kofun Cluster with surrounding tumuli.

What to see

• The tumulus has a total length of 265 meters with its moat.
• Observe the shield-shaped moat surrounding the kofun.
• Fukiishi and haniwa rows were found on the mound.
• A vertical stone chamber is in the posterior circular part.
• Excavated artifacts are National Important Cultural Properties.

Read more about Shimanoyama Kofun

Fujinoki Kofun is a 6th-century burial mound with rare, unrobbed treasures, offering a glimpse into ancient Japan.

What it is

• A circular burial mound from the late Kofun period.
• Dates to the 6th century.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.

What to see

• A 50-meter diameter circular mound, 9 meters high.
• Cylindrical haniwa found at the mound's base.
• A nearly 14-meter long unrobbed stone burial chamber.
• Excavated gilded bronze horse trappings and ornaments.
• National Treasure artifacts displayed at Kashihara Archaeological Institute Museum.

Getting there

• Approximately 350 meters west of Horyuji Temple.

Read more about Fujinoki Kofun

Explore a 6th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound with unique construction and grave goods.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus in Nara Prefecture.
• Designated as a Nara Prefecture historic site.
• Built on a hillside along the Yoshino River.
• Estimated to have been built in the early 6th century.

What to see

• The 30-meter-long keyhole-shaped mound.
• Posterior circular part has a diameter of 21 meters.
• Anterior rectangular part has a width of 15 meters.
• Double-sleeved horizontal stone burial chamber.
• Stone chamber opens to the southeast.
• Grave goods include ornaments, horse trappings, and Sue ware.

Read more about Minamiada Ōtsukayama Kofun

Otomeyama Kofun is a large, ancient burial mound, significant for its unique shape and historical artifacts.

What it is

• A large scallop-shaped kofun (ancient burial mound).
• Part of the Umami Kofun Group.
• Dates to the first half of the 5th century.
• Designated a national historic site in 1956.

What to see

• Total length is approximately 130 meters.
• Posterior circular part has a diameter of about 104 meters.
• Anterior square part is about 30 meters long.
• 11-meter long protrusion attached to the circular part.
• Posterior circular part has a three-tiered structure.
• Excavated clay figures, knives, and magatama beads.

Read more about Otomeyama Kofun

Explore a large 4th-century imperial keyhole-shaped burial mound, a significant historical site.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, built in the late 4th century.
• Designated as the mausoleum of Empress Shotoku.
• Part of the Saki Tatetsuki Kofun Group (Western Group).

What to see

• A large keyhole-shaped tumulus, 127 meters long.
• The mound has three tiers.
• Posterior circular part has a diameter of 84 meters.
• Anterior square part has a width of 70 meters.

Getting there

• 6-minute walk from Kintetsu Kyoto Line Heijo Station.
• 7-minute walk from Kintetsu Yamato-Saidaiji Station.

Official site

www.kunaicho.go.jp

Read more about Saki Takatsuka Kofun

Explore the Miyataki Site to see ancient Jomon, Yayoi, Asuka, and Nara period remains.

What it is

• A complex archaeological site designated as a National Historic Site.
• Excavations have been conducted intermittently since 1930.
• Contains remains from the Jomon, Yayoi, Asuka, and Nara periods.
• Believed to be the location of the historic Yoshino Palace.

What to see

• Remains of pit-dwelling structures and foundation stone buildings.
• Jomon period pottery, known as Miyataki-style pottery.
• Miyataki-style pottery features patterns made with seashells.
• Yayoi period pit dwellings and burial mounds.

Read more about Miyataki Site

Explore an ancient, keyhole-shaped burial mound, possibly an empress's tomb, with visible moat and artifacts.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, part of the Oyamato Kofun group.
• Estimated to have been built in the early 6th century.
• Theorized to be the true mausoleum of Empress Tashiraka.

What to see

• The mound has a total length of 114 meters.
• Posterior circular part: 65 meters diameter, 13 meters high.
• Anterior square part: 70 meters wide, 8 meters high.
• Fukiishi and haniwa excavated from the mound surface.
• Surrounding moat visible as four ponds.
• A lodging facility opened in 2024 within the kofun area.

Read more about Nishiyamazuka Kofun

Explore an ancient, scallop-shaped burial mound, a National Historic Site with important artifacts.

What it is

• A scallop-shaped kofun, a Makimuku-style keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Excavated artifacts are National Important Cultural Properties.

What to see

• The kofun is approximately 80 meters long.
• Posterior circular part is about 55 meters in diameter.
• Posterior circular part built in three tiers.
• An 'stone-enclosed wooden coffin' was found inside.
• Artifacts include bronze and iron arrowheads, and iron swords.
• Two 'Gamontai Shinjukyo' mirrors were excavated.

Read more about Hokenoyama Kofun

Explore Japan's 8th largest keyhole-shaped tumulus, the ancient tomb of Emperor Keiko.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus in Tenri City, Nara Prefecture.
• Designated as the tomb of Emperor Keiko by the Imperial Household Agency.
• Part of the Oyamato Kofun group.
• Constructed in the late 4th century.

What to see

• Japan's 8th largest tumulus, 300 meters long.
• Posterior circular part: 168 meters diameter, 25 meters high.
• Anterior square part: 170 meters wide, 23 meters high.
• Excavated cylindrical and figural Haniwa.
• Edo period stone pillow is a National Important Cultural Property.

Official site

www.kunaicho.go.jp

Read more about Shibutani Mukaiyama Kofun

Explore a large 5th-century keyhole-shaped tumulus, the designated tomb of Emperor Kaika.

What it is

• A large keyhole-shaped tumulus.
• Designated as the tomb of Emperor Kaika.
• Also known as Koboyama Kofun and Sakagami-yama Kofun.
• Estimated to have been built in the early 5th century.

What to see

• A tumulus approximately 100 meters long.
• Posterior circular part: 48 meters diameter, 8 meters high.
• Anterior rectangular part: 48 meters wide, 6 meters high.
• Fragments of cylindrical Haniwa excavated from the embankment.
• Edo period ossuaries and wooden coffins found during renovations.

Official site

www.kunaicho.go.jp

Read more about Nenbutsujiyama Kofun

Nishiyama Kofun is a large, well-preserved 4th-century burial mound worth visiting for its historical significance.

What it is

• A large burial mound from the early Kofun period.
• Built in the 4th century.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1927.
• Also known as Nagariyama and Somanouchi Kofun-gun.

What to see

• A three-tiered zenpo-kofun, 190 meters long.
• The posterior part has a vertical stone chamber.
• Fragments of copper mirrors and iron swords were excavated.
• Fragments of cylindrical and house-shaped Haniwa were found.

Getting there

• About a 20-minute walk from Tenri Station.

Read more about Nishiyama Kofun

Explore a 6th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound with a unique stone chamber and artifacts.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, a type of ancient burial mound.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Constructed around the early 6th century.

What to see

• The tumulus mound, 66 meters long.
• Posterior circular part, 39 meters in diameter, 10 meters high.
• Anterior square part, 49 meters wide, 10 meters high.
• A single-sleeved horizontal stone chamber.
• A house-shaped sarcophagus inside the chamber.
• Artifacts displayed at Nara Prefectural Kashihara Archaeological Institute Museum.

Read more about Ichiohakayama Kofun

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, a significant National Historic Site.

What it is

• An ancient burial mound, called a kofun.
• It is keyhole-shaped (zenpo-koen-fun type).
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Built utilizing a natural hill.

What to see

• The tumulus is 207 meters long.
• Rectangular platform with stones on the circular part.
• Perforated pot-shaped pottery surrounds the platform base.
• Fukiishi (revetment stones) on the stepped surfaces.
• A stone-built underground drainage system.
• Walls of a vertical stone chamber made of stacked stone slabs.

Read more about Sakurai Chausuyama Kofun

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, a designated historic site in Nara.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus in Tawaramoto Town, Nara Prefecture.
• Part of the larger Miyake Kofun Group.
• Designated as a Nara Prefecture historic site.

What to see

• A 70-meter-long keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Posterior circular part: 40 meters diameter, 8.2 meters high.
• Anterior rectangular part: 45 meters wide, 7.7 meters high.
• The mound has a two-tiered structure.
• Remains of cylindrical Haniwa rows around the mound.
• An 8-meter-wide, 0.8-meter-deep moat surrounds the mound.

Read more about Kuroda Otsuka Kofun

Uenomiya Site is an archaeological site from Kofun and Asuka periods, revealing ancient life and rituals.

What it is

• A complex archaeological site spanning Kofun and Asuka periods.
• Designated as a Sakurai City Historic Site since 1992.
• Investigation occurred during land readjustment in 1986.

What to see

• Excavated wooden tablets are tangible cultural properties.
• Site developed as a residence from the third period.
• A large building with four-sided eaves was at the center.
• A garden with ritual functions was on the west side.
• Tortoiseshell, wooden artifacts, and fruit seeds were excavated.

Read more about Uenomiya Site

See a large, ancient keyhole-shaped tomb, a National Historic Site with important artifacts.

What it is

• A kofun, an ancient burial mound, in Nara Prefecture.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Constructed between the late 4th and early 5th centuries.
• First keyhole-shaped tumulus in the Uma Mi region.

What to see

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, 111.5 meters long.
• The rear circular part has a 60-meter diameter.
• Excavated artifacts are National Important Cultural Properties.
• Approximately 36 bronze mirrors were found in 1882.
• A large house-patterned mirror, 22.9 cm in diameter.

Read more about Samita Takarazuka Kofun

Explore one of Japan's oldest keyhole-shaped burial mounds, a significant National Historic Site.

What it is

• An early Kofun period keyhole-shaped burial mound.
• Designated a National Historic Site.
• Belongs to the Kayō Kofun Group.
• Considered one of the oldest keyhole-shaped burial mounds.

What to see

• Tumulus is approximately 130 meters long.
• Posterior circular part is about 67 meters in diameter.
• Posterior circular part stands about 11.3 meters high.
• Observe the three-tiered construction.
• See the fan-shaped protrusion at the base.
• A vertical stone chamber was found inside.

Read more about Nakayama Ōtsuka Kofun