Ishibutai Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Asuka, Japan.
Ishibutai Kofun is an exposed burial mound from the Kofun period in Asuka, made of more than thirty massive granite blocks fitted together without mortar. The chamber extends several meters beneath a huge capstone and forms a space visitors can walk inside.
The tomb was built in the early seventh century and is traditionally associated with the powerful Soga clan, who had great influence in this region. The earthen covering disappeared over time, leaving the stone structure completely exposed.
The name Ishibutai literally means
Access to the burial chamber allows visitors to step inside and view the arrangement of stones up close. A nearby bus stop makes the site easy to reach for travelers exploring the archaeological sites in Asuka.
The chamber now sits completely open because the original earthen mound eroded away over centuries, leaving only the huge stone blocks. This exposure provides a rare direct view of the inner construction of a kofun tomb, which otherwise remains hidden underground.
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