Historic sites in Nara

Nara Prefecture is home to 84 heritage sites, including the ancient Kanazuka Kofun and Takamatsuzuka Tomb. These sites offer a glimpse into Japan's early history and culture.

Not sure where to start? Read our guide to the 20 best

Kanazuka Kofun

Kanazuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 7th-century imperial tomb, notable for its large stone chamber and unique construction...

Takamatsuzuka Tomb

Takamatsuzuka Tomb

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

See a 7th-century tomb with colorful wall paintings, a designated National Treasure and World He...

Kuroda Otsuka Kofun

Kuroda Otsuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Ichiohakayama Kofun

Ichiohakayama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Munesaka No. 1 Kofun

Munesaka No. 1 Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large 7th-century circular burial mound, a designated historic site in Nara.

Koizumi Ōtsuka Burial Mound

Koizumi Ōtsuka Burial Mound

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped tomb, a Nara Prefecture historic site from the 3rd-4th century...

Kōriyama Nikiyama Burial Mound

Kōriyama Nikiyama Burial Mound

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound from the 4th-5th century.

Hirano Tsukaanayama Kofun

Hirano Tsukaanayama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 7th-century burial mound with a unique stone coffin and ancient treasures.

Kamiya Site

Kamiya Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore ancient palace ruins and artifacts from Japan's early capitals.

Chihara Ōbaka Kofun

Chihara Ōbaka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a rare scallop-shaped Kofun, a National Historic Site from the late 4th century.

Yamanokami Site

Yamanokami Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient ritual site with megaliths and artifacts, offering a glimpse into early Japanese beliefs...

Uwanabe Kofun

Uwanabe Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a massive 5th-century keyhole-shaped tomb, one of Japan's largest ancient burial mounds.

Yoraku Kanjo Kofun

Yoraku Kanjo Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, square, 6th-century burial mound with a unique domed stone chamber.

Konabe Kofun

Konabe Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient keyhole-shaped tomb with unique features, part of a significant kofun group.

Hishiage Kofun

Hishiage Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a massive keyhole-shaped imperial tomb, offering a glimpse into ancient Japanese burial...

Hokenoyama Kofun

Hokenoyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Marukoyama Kofun

Marukoyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a rare 7th-century hexagonal tomb, revealing ancient burial practices and artifacts.

Mesuriyama Kofun

Mesuriyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound with unique artifacts.

Uenomiya Site

Uenomiya Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Nakaoyama Kofun

Nakaoyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an early 8th-century imperial tomb, a unique octagonal kofun and World Heritage site.

Nakayama Ōtsuka Kofun

Nakayama Ōtsuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Otomeyama Kofun

Otomeyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Gojō Nekozuka Kofun

Gojō Nekozuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient tomb with unique artifacts, offering a glimpse into Japan's Kofun period history.

Samita Takarazuka Kofun

Samita Takarazuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Saki Hyōtan-yama Kofun

Saki Hyōtan-yama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped tomb, a nationally designated historic site in Nara.

Saki Misasagiyama Kofun

Saki Misasagiyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a massive keyhole-shaped tumulus, believed to be an ancient empress's tomb.

Saki Ishizukayama Kofun

Saki Ishizukayama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a massive keyhole-shaped kofun, an ancient imperial tomb in Nara.

Karako-Kagi site

Karako-Kagi site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large Yayoi-period moated settlement with unique artifacts and a reconstructed multi-s...

Shijō Kofun Cluster

Shijō Kofun Cluster

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient burial cluster, significant for its buried kofun and well-preserved artifacts...

Shiozuka Kofun

Shiozuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound, a National Historic Site revealing early J...

Hōraiyama Kofun

Hōraiyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore an ancient keyhole-shaped imperial tomb, the 20th largest in Japan.

Miyataki Site

Miyataki Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Ichio Miyazuka Kofun

Ichio Miyazuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 6th-century keyhole-shaped tumulus with a rare house-shaped sarcophagus and rich histo...

Iwayayama Kofun

Iwayayama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 7th-century imperial burial mound with an impressive granite stone chamber.

Suyama Kofun

Suyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Suyama Kofun, a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound with unique features.

Ichiniwa Kofun

Ichiniwa Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a 5th-century imperial tomb, part of a significant kofun group in Nara.

Shin-yama Kofun

Shin-yama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Shin-yama Kofun, a keyhole-shaped imperial tomb candidate for Emperor Buretsu, revealing...

Niizawa-Senzuka Kofun Cluster

Niizawa-Senzuka Kofun Cluster

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore ancient burial mounds, a National Historic Site with artifacts from the Roman Empire.

Sakurai Chausuyama Kofun

Sakurai Chausuyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Umeyama Kofun

Umeyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

See the largest kofun in Asuka Village, a keyhole-shaped tumulus from the Kofun period.

Gokuraku-ji Hibiki Ruins

Gokuraku-ji Hibiki Ruins

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore the remains of a 5th-century residence, possibly a government office, offering a glimpse...

Kushiyama Kofun

Kushiyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a rare double-circular kofun, a large ancient burial mound with unique design and artifa...

Shibutani Mukaiyama Kofun

Shibutani Mukaiyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Kengoshizuka Kofun

Kengoshizuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

An octagonal imperial tomb in Asuka Village, a World Heritage site with unique stone architectur...

Ishinokarato Kofun

Ishinokarato Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ishinokarato Kofun is an 8th-century tomb with a unique shape, offering a glimpse into ancient b...

Akitsu Site

Akitsu Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Akitsu Site is an archaeological site revealing ancient Japanese life from Jomon to medieval tim...

Hashihaka Kofun

Hashihaka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Japan's oldest keyhole-shaped tumulus, a significant ancient imperial tomb.

Makimuku Katsuyama Kofun

Makimuku Katsuyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient keyhole-shaped burial mound from Japan's early Kofun period.

Makimuku Yazuka Kofun

Makimuku Yazuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Ancient burial mound, a National Historic Site, offers a glimpse into early Kofun period Japan.

Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun

Makimuku Ishizuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Makimuku ruins

Makimuku ruins

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Makimuku Ruins, an ancient site believed to be an early city of the Yamato kingship.

Chihara Kitsunezuka Kofun

Chihara Kitsunezuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large 7th-century tomb with unique stone chambers and ancient artifacts.

Andon-yama Kofun

Andon-yama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a massive 4th-century keyhole-shaped imperial tomb, one of Japan's largest ancient buria...

Nishiyama Kofun

Nishiyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Nishiyamazuka Kofun

Nishiyamazuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

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

Nishitonozuka Kofun

Nishitonozuka Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a well-preserved 3rd-century keyhole-shaped tumulus, the largest in its ancient burial g...

Maruyama Kofun

Maruyama Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore Japan's largest stone chamber within Nara's biggest keyhole-shaped tumulus, a significan...

Akasaka Tennōzan Kofun

Akasaka Tennōzan Kofun

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore a large, ancient tomb possibly of an emperor, a designated National Historic Site.

Sakafuneishi Site

Sakafuneishi Site

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

Explore ancient stone structures, including a World Heritage site, revealing Japan's early histo...

Noguchi Royal Tomb

Noguchi Royal Tomb

NARA · HISTORIC SITE

An ancient imperial tomb, designated as a World Heritage site, offering a glimpse into Japan's e...

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