5 Historic sites in Ōita worth your time
Japan Gems
Garandoya Kofun and Kamezuka Kofun are among Ōita prefecture's five heritage sites. These sites offer a glimpse into Japan's ancient past, suitable for visitors interested in history.
Ōita 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 Ōita.
01
Garandoya Kofun
ŌITA · HISTORIC SITE ガランドヤ古墳
Explore ancient burial mounds with rare 6th-century paintings and artifacts.
What it is
- A group of three circular burial mounds.
- Designated a national historic site in 1993.
- Dates from the mid to late 6th century.
- Two mounds are decorated kofun.
What to see
- Tomb No. 1 has a double-chambered horizontal stone chamber.
- Tomb No. 1 has paintings of people, horses, boats, birds, and circles.
- Tomb No. 1 yielded horse fittings, ornaments, and pottery.
- Tomb No. 2 has paintings of a mounted archer and concentric circles.
- Tomb No. 2 yielded swords, ornaments, and Sue ware.
- Tomb No. 3 is now a burial ground.
02
Kamezuka Kofun
ŌITA · HISTORIC SITE 亀塚古墳
Explore a large 5th-century keyhole-shaped burial mound, a significant National Historic Site.
What it is
- A keyhole-shaped burial mound, Kamezuka Kofun.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1996.
- Dates to the early 5th century.
- One of Oita Prefecture's largest kofun.
What to see
- The 116-meter long burial mound.
- White quartz fukiishi covered the mound.
- Two burial facilities at the front summit.
- Fragments of armor and iron swords were found.
- Kamezuka Kofun Park for preservation and tourism.
- Amabe Kofun Museum is a related exhibition facility.
03
Chiyomaru Kofun
ŌITA · HISTORIC SITE 千代丸古墳
Explore Oita City's only decorated kofun, a 7th-century burial mound with unique carvings.
What it is
- A circular burial mound, a kofun.
- Constructed around the beginning of the 7th century.
- Designated a national historic site in 1934.
- The only decorated kofun in Oita City.
What to see
- A mound 15 meters in diameter and 4 meters high.
- An 8.9-meter long horizontal stone chamber.
- The inner chamber is 3.32 meters deep.
- A stone shelf protrudes 1.1 meters.
- Geometric patterns carved on the stone shelf.
- Carvings of people and animals on the shelf.
04
Furumiya Kofun
ŌITA · HISTORIC SITE 古宮古墳
See a rare 7th-century kofun, a unique burial mound with a horizontal-entry stone chamber.
What it is
- A square-shaped kofun (burial mound).
- Built in the mid-to-late 7th century.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1983.
- Believed to be the tomb of Okida no Kimi Esaka.
What to see
- The kofun measures 12.5 by 12 meters.
- The burial facility is a horizontal-entry stone chamber.
- It is the only such chamber in Kyushu.
- The kofun is maintained as a historic site park.
05
Kuzuhara Kofun
ŌITA · HISTORIC SITE 葛原古墳
Explore Kuzuhara Kofun, a 5th-century burial mound revealing ancient Oita rulers' artifacts.
What it is
- A circular burial mound, or kofun.
- Built in the late 5th century.
- Designated a National Historic Site in 1957.
- Constructed by new rulers of the Usa region.
What to see
- A circular tumulus, 53 meters in diameter.
- A stone burial chamber, discovered in 1889.
- Excavated armor, iron swords, and bronze mirrors.
- Magatama and a rare mayuhigata kabuto.