地頭山古墳, Keyhole-shaped tomb in Atsugi, Japan
Jitoyama Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound in Atsugi featuring the characteristic design of a rectangular base joined to a circular rear section. The earthen structure sits prominently on elevated terrain where two river systems converge.
Built during the middle Kofun period in the 5th century, this mound ranks among the larger ancient burial sites in the Sagami region. Its scale reflected the status of whoever was buried within.
The burial facilities and artifacts within Jitoyama Kofun remain unexplored, preserving the mysteries of ancient Japanese funeral practices.
The site sits above the Route 246 bypass tunnel and is reachable on foot from Honatsugi or Aikoshida railway stations via local bus connections. The walk from either station takes travelers through nearby neighborhoods to reach the elevated mound.
When Route 246 was built in 1977, engineers chose to tunnel beneath the mound rather than demolish it, making this a rare example of modern infrastructure accommodating ancient heritage. This decision preserved the burial site intact while allowing the highway to pass underneath.
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