極楽寺ヒビキ遺跡, Archaeological site in Nara Prefecture, Japan

The Gokurakuji Hibiki site in Gokurakuji, Gose, Nara Prefecture, is the residence of a local elite from the first half of the 5th century. It sits on a plateau on the slope of Mount Katsuragi, with valleys to the north and east and a moat and fence around the south and west. Its largest building had a floor area of 225 square metres, the largest known for the 5th century, and most of the buildings and fences burned down.

The site is a single elite residence from the first half of the 5th century, built on a plateau at the foot of Mount Katsuragi, with valleys to the north and east and a moat and fence on the south and west. Its main building had a floor area of 225 square metres, among the largest of the 5th century. It is thought to have been the administrative office of the Katsuragi clan, whose base was the Sango site group to the north. Most buildings and fences burned down, which is taken to support the Nihon Shoki account that the Katsuragi clan was destroyed by the army of Emperor Yuryaku; the office stood only 20 to 30 years.

The site lies in the southern part of the Minamigo ruins group, regarded as the base of the ancient Katsuragi clan, and is thought to be the seat of their administration. According to the Nihon Shoki, the Katsuragi were destroyed by the army of Emperor Yuryaku, and the burned buildings and fences are read as support for that account.

The site sits in a rural area and requires some planning for a visit since infrastructure is limited. Information about current access and guided tours is available through the local government or cultural office.

Most of the buildings and fences burned down, which is taken as support for the Nippon Shoki account that the Katsura clan was destroyed by Emperor Yuryaku's troops. The administrative seat itself lasted only 20 to 30 years.