Komuroyama Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Fujiidera, Japan.
Komuroyama Kofun is an ancient burial mound with the distinctive keyhole shape characteristic of Japan's premier funerary monuments. Its design combines a rectangular front section with a large circular rear portion, creating an instantly recognizable profile when viewed from above.
This mound was built in the 4th to 5th century as part of a cluster of 45 burial sites in the Furuichi area. The period marked a time of significant social change and the consolidation of political power in ancient Japan.
The site's name references coal mining that once shaped the local landscape, connecting past economic activity to the present-day landmark. The keyhole design itself embodies the religious and social hierarchy of the people who built it.
The site is freely accessible and can be explored on foot, with a path circling the entire mound for views from different angles. Informational materials available at nearby train stations help visitors understand the scale and layout of the monument.
Visitors can walk around and actually climb portions of this mound, offering hands-on experience with the burial structure itself. This direct access is rare among such sites and allows people to truly grasp the scale and engineering that went into its construction.
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