[Nara ]Eight spots in Nara, where many ancient tombs and mausoleums have been preserved, are particularly recommended!
2021-09-27 Management office
The difference between a kofun and a mausoleum is that a kofun is the tomb of an influential person and is made of heaped up earth in the shape of a mound, while a mausoleum is the tomb of an emperor. It is said that there are 31 mausoleums of emperors in Nara. All of them in Nara are large and many of them remain in beautiful condition. We invite you to see the ancient tombs and mausoleums that remain beautiful while blending in with the modern world.
Author of this article
Management office
Table of Contents
- 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.
Ancient Graves
The Hashikakofun, which has been studied as the tomb of Himiko, is one of the oldest posterior frontal round burial mounds in Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture. It is 280 m long and is said to have been built in the late 3rd century. The structure is described in "Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan) ", and it is said to have been built by man during the day and by gods at night. Located on the banks of the Choshinaka Great Pond, it is managed by the Imperial Household Agency and cannot be visited inside, but can be seen from the surrounding area.
You can walk by the reservoir.
The path along the reservoir is partially walkable, and at certain times of the year the reservoir is drained and cleaned so that the Chopstick Tomb Tomb can be viewed from the reservoir side.
It is a fairly large burial mound, so it is worth seeing. It is also recommended to walk around while imagining the shape of the antero-circular mound. The name "Chopstick Tomb Tumulus" also has a deep meaning, so please take your time while imagining it as well.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Chopstick Tomb Tomb (Hashikakako Fun)
Address: Chopenaka, Sakurai City, Nara Prefecture, 633-0072
Space and Facilities: This is one of the oldest known tombs of Himiko.
URL:http://www.city.sakurai.lg.jp/kanko/isekibunkazai/kashiramoji/hagyo/1395214364761.html
Three Tombs Ancient Cemetery Group
It has one of the largest burial mounds, consisting of the East Burial Mound, which is a round-shaped mound, the West Burial Mound, which is a round-shaped mound, and the South Burial Mound, and has been designated a Historic Site by the prefecture and is a Historic Site Park.
Each of the three tomb mounds is well maintained and you can go up to the top. The park is also well maintained and is a great place to visit because it is a quiet place where you can walk around and see all three tombs at once.
Ancient burial mounds in a peaceful landscape
The Three Tomb Tumulus Group, located on the Yamato Plateau in the former Toki Village, appears suddenly in the midst of a peaceful landscape. The largest of the tombs, Higashi Kofun, is the largest in the area, measuring approximately 110 meters in length.
This area was once known as the Tsukei Kingdom, and it is believed that these tombs were the tombs of the rulers of the Tsukei Kingdom. It is a perfect spot for those who want to visit ancient tombs and mausoleums in Nara, as you can climb up to the top of the tombs and have a panoramic view of the area.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Sanryobo Kofun Gun
Address: 〒632-0241 1024 Minami-no-Sho-cho, Touki, Nara-shi, Nara-ken
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: The East, West, and South tumuli can be visited all at once, and are located in a well-maintained park where visitors can climb to the top of the tumuli. A parking lot is also available.
URL:https://www.city.nara.lg.jp/site/bunkazai/5288.html
Yushizuka burial mound
The Uguisuzuka burial mound in Nara City is located on the summit of Wakakusa Mountain. It is a 103-meter-long, front-recessed circular mound, and is said to be the site of the Yushi-ryo (Bush warbler's Tomb) that appears in the Pillow Book.
Since the whole area is covered with greenery and the Nara Basin can be seen from the top of the burial mound, many people visit the site together with sightseeing on Mt. Wakakusa. The mound built on top of the mountain is rare in Japan, but whose child eruption it was has not yet been elucidated.
Ancient burial mound located at an elevation of 342 meters
Wakakusa, but sneakers are recommended as you will be walking through dirt and grass. There are wild deer on the mountain, making it a sightseeing spot that remains uniquely Nara in the sense that you are walking in the midst of nature. On a clear day, the view is spectacular, so we recommend that you climb the mountain.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Yuzuzuzuka Kofun (Yuzuzuzuka Tomb)
Address: Zoshi-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8211
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is a rare burial mound in Japan located at the top of Mt. Wakakusa. It is also said to be the site of the Yingling Mausoleum in the Pillow Book.
The Ancient Tomb of Jeongdeok (Hyohyeon)
It is a forward-rectangular round burial mound located in Nara City, and is said to be one of the burial mounds in the Saki Shield Line burial mounds group.
It is believed to be the mausoleum of the 48th Emperor Shoutoku, daughter of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo, and measures 127 meters in height. The tomb, which suddenly appears in the middle of a tranquil plain, fits in so well with its surroundings that you would not notice it unless you were told it was a burial mound.
Built Saidaiji Temple despite being a woman
Emperor Shoutoku is also famous for having built Saidaiji Temple. The Shoutoku (Kohen) Mausoleum is a mausoleum of the Emperor and is administered by the Imperial Household Agency, so visitors cannot go inside to see the tomb, but it is a magnificent sightseeing spot from the outside.
Among the Saki Shield Line tumuli, the Shoutoku (Kohken) Mausoleum tumulus faces west, which is unusual among the Saki Shield Line tumuli.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Shoutoku (Kohen) Mausoleum Tomb
Address: 〒631-0803 Nara-shi, Nara-ken, Yamarashi-cho 85
Space and Facilities: One of the tombs in the Saki Shield Row Tumulus Group, this is a rare west-facing tomb.
Tomb of the Seiwu Emperor and Tomb of the Bright Empress
Located at Todaiji Temple and Tamon Castle Site, the mausoleums of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo are representative of the emperors and empresses of the Nara period.
This is the tomb of Emperor Shomu, who is said to have blossomed the Tenpyo culture and was central to the construction of the Great Buddha and the Nara period. Empress Komyo was born as the daughter of a nobleman and became the first empress from outside the imperial family.
Because it is an emperor's mausoleum, only the exterior can be seen, but the approach and other surroundings are well maintained, making it a popular tourist spot.
Perfect for strolling.
The surrounding area is called Tamonmachi and is lined with the oldest houses and mansions in Kitamachi, with rows of storehouses and earthen walls.
The whole area is quiet, making it a perfect place for a quiet and mature visit. The closest way to get there is by bus, which takes 5 minutes on foot after getting off at Houren Nakamachi. It is also a 30-minute walk from JR Nara Station.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Emperor Shomu's Mausoleum and Empress Koumyou's Mausoleum
Address: Horen-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8113
Space and Facilities: These are the burial mounds of Emperor Shomu and Empress Komyo. The tombs have many sights to see, including a well-maintained pathway.
Ancient Cemetery of Shweinreung
The grand Taruninryo burial mound, approximately 227 m long and located within a keyhole-shaped perimeter moat, serves as the mausoleum of the 11th Emperor Tarunin. It is a front-recessed circular burial mound and is said to have been constructed in the early Kofun period.
Including the moat, the total length of the burial mound is 330 m. The beautiful and gentle shape of the burial mound is said to resemble Mount Horai. There are six other burial mounds in the vicinity, including a round burial mound and a square burial mound, so a combined sightseeing tour is also recommended.
There is also a promenade around the perimeter moat
The promenade is well maintained and is popular not only among fans of the tumulus but also as a walking course.
The fact that it is only about a 5-minute walk from Amagetsuji Station makes it a popular destination. Usually, ancient tombs and mausoleums are located where there is a surplus of land, but the Taruninryo Tumulus is located in the city.
The Taruninryo burial mound also has unspoiled nature, so you can see rare wild birds and other animals.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Suininryo Kofun
Address: 1-6-12 Gojo, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8033
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is the mausoleum of the 11th Emperor Taruhito, and when combined with the surrounding moat, the total length of the burial mound is 330 m. It is a large imperial mausoleum.
URL:https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/ryobo/guide/011/
Yuanzheng Emperor's Tomb
This is the imperial mausoleum of the second empress of Heijo-kyo.
The succession of the throne from a female emperor to a female emperor is the only such event in Japanese history. She is also the emperor who created the Yoro Code. Located next to the mausoleum of Emperor Genmei, it is recommended to visit the site together.
It is easy to get to the Kitamachi area and is a popular spot for tourists.
Stunning from above!
There is a worship hall on the south side of the building, where you can get a mausoleum seal. Emperor Gensho is said to have been an exceptionally beautiful woman, and was the first female emperor to ascend to the throne unmarried.
This area is also managed by the Imperial Household Agency, so it is easy to appreciate its size from above, where untouched nature has been preserved.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Gensho Emperor's Mausoleum
Address: 2648 Narasaka-cho, Nara-shi, Nara 630-8104
Phone number: 0744-22-3338
Space and Facilities: The Imperial mausoleum of the second female emperor of Heijo-kyo, the only one in Japanese history to pass the throne from a female emperor to a female emperor.
URL:https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/ryobo/guide/044/index.html
Ban no Hime no Mamoru Ancient Tomb
This is the 16th Empress Nintoku's forward-rear round burial mound located in Nara City. Known as the Hsiage tumulus, it is a large imperial mausoleum with a total length of 219 meters.
The front part of the tomb has a double moat, which is a very unusual shape for a kofun tumulus in Japan.
Iris and yellow iris in the double moat
The area is maintained so that visitors can walk around the tumulus in a circle, making it a walking course for locals.
The water pond is home to iris, yellow iris and kohone, which bloom beautifully in each season, allowing visitors to experience the seasons.
"Facility Information "
Facility name: Iwanohime no Mikoto Tomb
Address: 2041-2, Saki-machi, Nara City, Nara Prefecture, 630-8003, Japan
Phone number: 0742-34-1111
No smoking and smoking: No smoking in the entire building
Space and Facilities: This is the 16th Empress Nintoku's forward-rear circular burial mound. It is a rare burial mound with a double moat.
URL:https://www.city.nara.lg.jp/site/bunkazai/5264.html
summary
Nara, which was the center of the Kofun, Asuka, and Nara periods, has many ancient tombs and mausoleums.
The mausoleums, in particular, have been kept out of human hands, so they have been left untouched. We hope you will visit many ancient tombs and mausoleums in Nara and return home.
Recommended articles