15 Historic sites in Shiga worth your time

Explore Ōmi Kokuchō, a national historic site, to see ancient administrative ruins from the Nara period.

What it is

• A ruin of a local administrative institution.
• Designated as a national historic site.
• Central part confirmed in 1963 and 1965.
• Existed until around the end of the 10th century.

What to see

• Ruins of the Kokufu, estimated 8 to 9 cho square.
• Ruins of the Kokuchō, 2 cho east-west and 3 cho north-south.
• Inner enclosure (Seichō) surrounded by a Tsuiji wall.
• Seichō was 72.8 meters east-west and 109 meters north-south.
• Four tile-roofed structures arranged symmetrically.
• Ruins from mid-Nara and late-Nara to early-Heian periods.

Read more about Ōmi Kokuchō

See a rare scallop-shell tumulus from the 5th century, a National Historic Site.

What it is

• A scallop-shell shaped tumulus in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Part of the Oiwayama Kofun Group, a National Historic Site.
• Constructed in the early 5th century.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1985.

What to see

• A scallop-shell shaped burial mound.
• Main mound is 57 meters in diameter, 7.3 meters high.
• Exterior covered with fukiishi (river stones).
• A moat 13-20 meters wide surrounds the tumulus.
• Total length with moat and outer bank is 105 meters.
• Excavated cylindrical and figural Haniwa (clay figures).

Read more about Otsukayama Kofun

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

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, a type of ancient burial mound.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Third largest kofun in Shiga Prefecture.
• Estimated construction from late 4th to early 5th century.

What to see

• The 124-meter long keyhole-shaped mound.
• Posterior circular part with a 70-meter diameter.
• Anterior rectangular part, 60 meters long.
• Fukiishi and cylindrical Haniwa rows on the mound.
• Akiba Shrine, located within the kofun area.
• Kocahusuyama Kofun, a nearby circular tumulus.

Read more about Chausuyama Kofun

Explore a 4th-century burial mound, a local historic site, revealing ancient burial practices and regional history.

What it is

• A burial mound in Ritto City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Designated a historic site by Ritto City.
• Built in the late 4th to early 5th century.
• Considered a chief's tomb in the Yasu River left bank region.

What to see

• Circular mound, 50 meters in diameter.
• Mound stands 7.5 meters high.
• Fukiishi (stone revetment) on the mound surface.
• Haniwa (clay figures) found on the mound surface.
• Moat surrounds the south side of the mound.
• Hajiki pottery unearthed from inside the moat.

Read more about Shimotoyama Burial Mound

Ise Site is a National Historic Site showcasing ancient Japanese architecture from Jomon to Muromachi periods.

What it is

• Archaeological site in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Spans from the Jomon period to the Muromachi period.
• Known for large buildings from the late Yayoi period.

What to see

• Thirteen identified large buildings.
• Double-fenced square area.
• Circularly arranged buildings with independent pillars.
• Large pit dwelling north of circular buildings.

When to go

• Ise Site Historic Park opened on November 12, 2023.

Read more about Ise Site

Explore a rare 6th-century keyhole-shaped tomb with a unique stone coffin and ancient burial goods.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, also known as Kamo Inariyama Kofun.
• Built in the first half of the 6th century.
• Designated a historic site in Shiga Prefecture.
• Discovered in 1902 during road improvement work.

What to see

• The only keyhole-shaped tumulus on the lakeside plain.
• A hollowed-out house-shaped stone coffin.
• Stone coffin made of tuff, preserved in a protective structure.
• Numerous lavish burial goods influenced by Gaya and Silla.

Read more about Inariyama Kofun

Explore an ancient burial mound, part of a National Historic Site, revealing Japan's early history.

What it is

• A circular tumulus in Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Part of the Oiwagama Kofun Group, a National Historic Site.
• Estimated to have been built in the late 3rd century.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1985.

What to see

• A circular kofun 26-30 meters in diameter.
• Site of three bronze mirrors unearthed in 1896.
• One excavated mirror is a city tangible cultural property.
• Presumed to be a direct wooden coffin burial.

Read more about Kotobayama Burial Mound

Explore ancient palace ruins built by Emperor Shomu, a designated National Historic Site.

What it is

• Ancient ruins in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Relates to Shigaraki Palace, built by Emperor Shomu.

What to see

• Five distinct areas of ruins.
• Miyamachi area contains palace ruins.
• Dairino area contains temple ruins.
• Shingu Shrine area contains road ruins.
• Kajiya-shiki area contains foundry ruins.
• Kita-kinose area contains large well ruins.

Read more about Shigaraki Palace Sites

Explore a unique scallop-shaped burial mound, part of a National Historic Site with ancient artifacts.

What it is

• A scallop-shell shaped kofun, or ancient burial mound.
• Part of the Oiwayama Kofun Group.
• The kofun group is a National Historic Site.

What to see

• A kofun built on an alluvial fan and natural levee.
• The kofun has a moat.
• Cylindrical haniwa have been excavated.
• Morning glory-shaped haniwa have been excavated.
• Figurative haniwa have been excavated.
• Sue ware has been excavated.

Read more about Kamezuka Kofun

Explore Toba Kofun, a 3rd-century keyhole-shaped tomb, for a glimpse into ancient Japanese burial practices.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tomb, called a zenpo-kofun.
• Part of the Oiwayama Kofun Group.
• Discovered in 1982, built in the late 3rd century.
• Designated a national historic site in 1985.

What to see

• The keyhole-shaped mound, 42 meters long.
• The rear part is almost square, 23 meters long.
• A moat 4.5 to 7 meters wide surrounds it.
• Total length including the moat is 52 meters.

Read more about Toba Kofun

Explore the ruins of Emperor Shomu's Shigaraki-no-miya Palace, a significant National Historic Site.

What it is

• An ancient palace ruin, designated a National Historic Site.
• Believed to be the site of Shigaraki-no-miya Palace.
• Emperor Shomu established this palace.
• Excavations have been ongoing since 1984.

What to see

• Archaeological findings from ongoing excavations.
• Wood identified by tree ring dating from 742-743 AD.
• The remains of a large building found in 2000.

Read more about Miyamachi Site

Explore ancient burial mounds in a park setting, offering a glimpse into Japan's Kofun period.

What it is

• A kofun group in Shiga Prefecture.
• Consists of one keyhole-shaped tomb and one round tomb.
• Designated a National Historic Site in 1974.
• Maintained and open as a park.

What to see

• Ōjiyama Kofun No. 1, a keyhole-shaped tomb.
• No. 1 tomb is about 60 meters long.
• Ōjiyama Kofun No. 2, a round tomb.
• No. 2 tomb has a diameter of about 20 meters.

Read more about Ōjiyama Kofun

Explore Shiga's second largest keyhole-shaped kofun, a significant ancient burial mound.

What it is

• A keyhole-shaped tumulus, a type of ancient burial mound.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Estimated construction around the late 4th century.
• Second largest kofun in Shiga Prefecture.

What to see

• A 124-meter long tumulus.
• The tumulus has a three-tiered construction.
• 188 excavated haniwa are stored at the Kaikoku Kinenkan.

Read more about Kōjin-yama Kofun

Explore Umoreginoya, a restored 18th-century samurai residence, for a glimpse into feudal Japan.

What it is

• Former residence of the Ii family.
• Constructed around 1759.
• Ii Naosuke lived here for 15 years.
• Part of the Hikone Castle Ruins.

What to see

• The fully restored 18th-century building.
• Excavated two-linked pot-shaped toilets.

Getting there

• 10-minute walk from Hikone Station.

Read more about Umoreginoya

Explore Shiga's largest ancient burial mound, revealing 4th-century history and international ties.

What it is

• A 'zenpo-koen-fun' type of tumulus.
• Designated as a National Historic Site.
• Largest tumulus in Shiga Prefecture.
• Constructed around the mid-4th century.

What to see

• Mound with a total length of 134 meters.
• Three vertical stone chambers.
• Two box-shaped stone coffins.

Read more about Azuchi-Hyōtanyama Kofun