Shionjiyama Kofun

The Shionjiyama Kofun is a burial mound shaped like a keyhole, with one rectangular end and one circular end, stretching 160 meters in length. The structure contains three underground chambers where archaeologists discovered bronze mirrors, weapons, and precious objects.

This kofun was built in the 5th century during the period when such burial mounds held the greatest importance in Japan. The site reflects how people of that era honored their most powerful leaders.

The mound once held thousands of haniwa clay figures that decorated the burial site and reflected the spiritual beliefs of ancient Japanese people. These sculptures show how visitors and worshippers understood the connection between the living world and the afterlife.

The mound sits on a sloped landscape and has a nearby Learning Center with exhibits about the excavations and discoveries. Visitors can walk through the marked pathways on the grounds and learn more about the site in the museum displays.

The mound was originally surrounded by elaborate ditches and embankments that emphasized its role as a sacred place. The earth structure was divided on its north and south sides to fit the natural slope of the land where it was built.