Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Spots in Japan

  • Yoshimi-Hyakuana
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    3.5
    81 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Saitama Pref. Hikigunyoshimimachi Kitayoshimi 324
    A group of cave graves located in Kitayoshimi, Yoshimi Town, Hiki County. Consisting of 219 caves created some 1,400 years ago during the late Kofun period, this site is the largest of its kind in Japan and has been designated a National Historic Site. A series of tunnels used as an underground military factory during World War II can also be found at the site; in addition, the area is a rare habitat in the Kanto region for luminous moss, a designated National Natural Monument.

    吉見町にある遺跡です。多数の穴が並んていて、なかなか面白い場所です。 戦時中は防空壕的に使われていたということで、そういう展示もあります。 シンプルな観光地ですがなかなか良いです。

  • Uesugi Clan Mausoleum
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    4.0
    80 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamagata Pref. Yonezawashi Gobyou 1-5-30
    Just a 5-minute walk from the Gobyo-mae bus stop on the Yamako bus line bound for Onogawa Onsen. This is a cemetery with 11 generations of the Uesugi clan, notably Prince Uesugi Kenshin down to Narisada, interred in beautiful wood structured mausoleums. It is known for being the resting place of Uesugi Kenshin, a famous warrior during Japan's civil war. This cemetery was the 5th to be designated in 1984 as a National Historic Landmark for former feudal lords. During the Uesugi Yukitoro stone lantern Festival illumination, the snow covered stone and paper lanterns are lit making for otherworldly serene atmosphere. The neighboring Houonji Temple was transported from Mt. Kasuga and rebuilt as the Uesugi family temple.

    初代上杉謙信公から斉定、そして茂憲の供養塔がある上杉家代々の墓所。特に見たかった謙信公、赤穂浪士で有名な綱憲、名君治憲公の霊廟が見れて感動しました。余談ですが、謙信公の養父で同じく越後春日山から遺骸を運ばれた山内上杉憲政の墓は南米沢駅近くの照陽寺にあります。

  • Shijimizuka Park
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    3.5
    24 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Shizuoka Hamamatsu-shi Chuo-ku Shijimizuka 4-22-1
    This park is built around the National Historic Site-designated Shijimizuka Archaeological Site. The park grounds encompass recreations of the kind of Jomon period homes which once stood here in ancient times; and the Takayama Family Residence, an Edo period home. The Shijimizuka Archaeological Site, which makes up the core of the park, is the site of a village which existed from the late to the end of the Jomon period (approximately 4,000 years ago to 3,000 years ago). The locations of homes, graves, and shell mounds have been discovered in the area, primarily in what is now maintained as an open field in the park. One of the shell mounds is preserved in the same state as when human bones were discovered in it, and visitors can see the mound's accumulated seashells and other relics beyond a glass window. The lush park is also widely used by local residents as a space for rest and relaxation.

    夏休み子供向けのイベントが開催されます! 勾玉(まがたま)作りや簾作りなど子供が楽しむことができます! 詳しくは浜松市博物館(蜆塚公園隣接)のホームページを見てください!

  • Ishibutai kofun (tomb)
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Shimashou
    One of the largest of its kind in Japan at 50 meters per side, this tomb was built by piling up 30 large boulders. Having lost the soil which once covered it and due to the flatness of the ceiling stone, the tomb is called the Stone Stage. It is not clear to whom the tomb belonged, but due to the fact that a garden which belonged to Soga no Iruka’s grandfather Soga no Umako is located nearby, one leading theory is that it is his tomb. The surrounding area blooms with cherries in the spring and red spider lilies in the fall. The tomb is a nationally designated a Special Historic Site.
  • Special Historical Site Sannai-Maruyama Site
    Travel / Tourism
    Aomori Pref. Aomorishi Sannai Maruyama
    Here is the largest Jomon village ruins in Japan which was discovered in an exploration conducted in 1992. It was designated as a National Special Historic Site in 2000. The large pillar-supported buildings that suddenly appear in a vast field were built by erecting chestnut wood pillars in holes dug into the ground. It is thought to have been a building of rectangle shape with six pillars with a large, high floor. You can also see pit dwellings and pillar constructions as well as the special feature of many earthen figures.
  • Honmachida Archeological Park
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    3.5
    16 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Tokyo Machida-shi Honmachida 3455
    Historic ruins in the hills to the north of the Machida City area. An excavation as conducted in 1967 and 1968 along with the construction of the Fujinodai Housing Complex. It discovered the remains of four dwellings from the early Jomon period and seven from the middle Yayoi period. The highly valuable compound archaeological site covering both eras has been registered as a municipal Historical Site. Occupying a relatively narrow ridge in the Tama Hills, it is currently an archeological park, and many people visit it along with the adjacent Machida City Museum. The Jomon and Yayoi period dwellings have been restored one by one, and visitors are free to enter.

    藤の台団地を作る際に発見された遺跡を元に縄文時代の住居が再現されています。教科書の中だけで見たことのある縦穴式住居の中にも入ることもできます。復元住居の修繕工事を実施している時があるので注意が必要です。

  • Mori-Shogunzuka Kofun, Chikuma City
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    4.0
    10 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagano Pref. Chikumashi Yashiro 29-1 In the village of the genius in the historical park
    This National Historic Site is in Mori, Chikuma City. The roughly 100-meter-long keyhole-shaped tumulus was built in the fourth century. It's thought to be the grave of a king who once ruled the area. It was restored based on an excavation, and today features facilities like Shinano-no-sato Historical Park and the Mori-Shogunzuka Museum.

    更埴ICより10分くらいのところにある古墳。古墳時代の様子がわかります。案内もわかりやすく整備もされているので親子でも楽しめると思います。古墳から見る景色は最高です。

  • Takaidayama Burial Mound
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    4.0
    9 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Osaka Kashiwarashi Takaida Within the 1598-7 historic site Takaida Yokoana Park
    This Kofun (ancient tomb) inside Takaidayokoana Park is located in the Ando-cho area of Kashiwara City, Osaka Prefecture. A designated national historical site, the excavated items have been designated tangible cultural properties of Kashiwara City. As a result of an excavation survey carried out in 1990, it became clear that it was a round burial mound from the middle of the Kofun period (250-538), and that there were many funeral items such as irons and mirrors. It is now possible to tour the stone chamber, and you can carefully look inside the room. The actual excavated items are on display at the adjacent historic museum.

    JR高井田駅下車、駅の裏手すぐに史跡がある。ぐるっと回るのには1時間程度要する。春になると桜も綺麗なので歴史散策には最適。

  • Tenjinyama Tumulus
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    3.5
    9 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Gunma Ota-shi Uchigashimacho Ke 1606-1
    A burial mound located along Prefectural Route 2 in Uchigashima Town, Ota City. With an overall length of 210 meters it is one of the largest keyhole shaped tumulus in eastern Japan and has been designated as a National Historic Site. Due to the shape of an excavated Haniwa (hollow unglazed terracotta figure) it's believed that the tomb was constructed in the first half of the 5th century. As to who was buried in the tomb it's though that it could have been a former ruler of the Keno Domain but this is uncertain.

    前方後円墳というと、巨大な古墳をイメージしますが、 この古墳も東日本最大のサイズだそうです。 夏場は木が生い茂っているので、冬場の方が全容が分かりやすいです。 歩いて登ると三角点があります。 ただ落葉がすごい量です。

  • Kitora Tomb
    Travel / Tourism
    Nara Pref. Takaichigunasukamura Abeyama
    This is a special national historical site inside the Kitora-kofun Tumulus in the Asuka Historical National Government Park located in Mt. Abe, Asuka Village. In excavations conducted in 1983, murals were found on the wall of the stone burial chamber and became known as the second mural tomb in Japan. Currently, works continues to restore the site to its original state and the artifacts found are being stored and exhibited in the Kitora Tumulus Mural Experiential Museum Shijinno Yakata. (The murals are open to the public for limited periods of time.)
  • Yamashiro Futagozuka Kofun
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    4.0
    5 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Matsue-shi Yamashirocho 470-1
    "Measuring 94 meters long, it is the largest rectangular-shaped kofun ancient tomb in the prefecture. Part of it was removed when a former Army infantry was set up, but it is now been restored. It is famous for being the first tomb to be called a ""rectangular-shaped kofun"" in Japan in 1925. The two-level tomb is surrounded by a moat and dike. There is an observation room in the rear where you can see the real embankment, and you can see that a high level of skill was used to make the tomb. It is thought that the burial chief of the eastern part of Izumo is buried in the tomb because cylindrical haniwa clay images and Sue pottery were excavated from the foot of the mound and the surrounding moat."

    山代二子塚古墳のガイダンス施設ですので、見学をする観光地としても人気があります。石室の実物大模型があったり、古墳に関する解説パネルが設置されてますので、学校などの子供の教育の観光地としても有名です。入場料が無料となってますし、大型のバスが止められる駐車場もあります。古代の見物を実際に見ることが出来るので、とても勉強になります。

  • Kurokami Buried Shrine Gate
    Travel / Tourism
    Kagoshima Kagoshima-shi Kurokamicho (Kurokami Junior High School Yoko)
  • Koboyama Ancient Tomb
    Travel / Tourism
    Nagano Pref. Matsumotoshi Namiyanagi 2-1000
    Eastern Japan's oldest rectangular-shaped ancient tomb, it is located in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. It has been designated as a national historic site and a cultural property of Nagano Prefecture. A mirror with four beasts, ancient magatama (curved bead ornaments) and other artifacts that were excavated from the ancient tomb are exhibited in the Matsumoto City Archaeological Museum. In addition, it is a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, and bustles with many people who come to see the 2,000 Yoshino cherries and late-blooming yaezakura cherries when they bloom.
  • Hitoana Fuji-ko Historical Site
    Travel / Tourism
    Shizuoka Fujinomiya-shi Hitoana 206
    A historical site on the site of the Hitoana Sengenjinja Shrine. Here you'll find the Hitoana lava cave formed by the Inusuzumi Yama lava flow as well as over 200 monuments arranged by the Fujiko Shinto devout. The lava cave, the center of the historical site, drops down to a depth of nearly 880 meters. In the Azuma Kagami, a history book compiled by the Kamakura Shogunate, it's stated that this is the residence of the goddess Sengen Daibosatsu, which suggests that the lava cave had a deep connection to the Fujisan faith in those days. It is currently only possible to enter a small portion of the cave where a small shrine, three monuments, and four stone Buddhas have been erected (advance application required).
  • Saitobaru Burial Mounds
    Travel / Tourism
    Miyazaki Pref. Saitoshi Miyake Saitohara 5670
    Approximately a ten-minute drive from the Saito Interchange, these burial mounds are scattered around Chigogaike Park. Over 300 burial mounds remain over a very large area 2.6 kilometers from east to west and 4.2 kilometers north to south, and preservation activities are being conducted as a special historic park from its academic value. In the park, besides the burial mounds such as the Oni no Iwaya Kofun that can be seen, there is also the Saitobaru Archaeological Museum of Miyazaki Prefecture. In addition, it is a popular flower spot with cherry blossoms and rape blossoms in the spring, and cosmos in the autumn.
  • Takehara Kofun Burial Mound
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    4.0
    1 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Fukuoka Miyawaka Takehara 731-2
    An ancient burial mound located on the grounds of Suwa Shrine in Takehara, Miyawaka City. Built in the latter half of the sixth century the burial mound has a round shape with a diameter of nearly 18 meters and stands nearly five-meters tall. The interior features decorations including wall paintings causing it to be classified as a Decorative Burial Mound. A vivid mural remains within the mound and a variety of burial accessories have been excavated the Burial mound has been designated as a National Historic Site.

    九州北部で6世紀に造られたという装飾古墳の中でも、20kmほど南にある王塚古墳とともに日本有数の装飾古墳として国指定文化財(史跡)になっています。古墳のある諏訪神社下の資料館受付で入場料を払うと古墳の中に入ってガラス越しに見事な壁画を見ることができます。九州自動車道若宮インター近くに竹原古墳の看板があり、是非見て欲しい古墳です。

  • Ohitayama Tatara Iron Works
    Travel / Tourism
    Yamaguchi Pref. Hagishi Shibuki 10257-5 North side of Yamaguchi dam
    "This is an archeological of ironworks site in Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The furnace used at the time is called ""Tatara"" and the produced iron by melting the raw material iron sand with the heat of burning charcoal. In 2015, the site was designated as a ""Site of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution including Steel and Ironmaking, Ship Building and the Coal Industry"" by the UNESCO world heritage. The buildings maintained at the site date back to the end of the Edo period (1603–1868)."
  • Kojindani Ruins
    Travel / Tourism
    Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Hikawachoukamba 873-8 In Arashi Kamiya Historical Park
    These ruins were discovered in 1983 and 358 bronze swords from the Yayoi period and other bronze ware were excavated. The discovery of six bell-shaped bronze pots and 16 bronze spearheads deepened interest of the Yayoi period. Have fun at the park with reconstructed dwellings and a museum while thinking of the ancient times.
  • Cemetery of Mito Tokugawa Family
    Travel / Tourism
    Ibaraki Pref. Hitachiotashi Zuiryuchou Tsukanoiri 2092
    A cemetery which contains the remains of generations of the Mito Tokugawa family located in Hitachiota City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Unusual for such a place in Japan, the cemetery was created in a unique shape based on Confucian principals and runs 360 meters east-west, 500 meters north-south, and spans 65 to 134 meters above sea level. In 2007, the cemetery was designated a National Historic Site.
  • Sakamoto Family Gravesite
    Travel / Tourism
    Kouchi Pref. Kouchishi Yamatechou
    This gravesite is located in Tanchiyama, Yamate-cho, Kochi City. It is the final resting place of Sakamoto Ryoma’s parents, sister, and other family members. The gravesite, which was consolidated from two separate gravesites, has been developed as a historic park, making it a pilgrimage site for Sakamoto Ryoma fans from across the country.

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