Ishinokarato Kofun

Ishinokarato Kofun is a two-tiered burial mound with a circular upper section roughly 9 meters across and a square lower section roughly 14 meters wide. The entire surface is covered with stones, and a stone chamber lies within the mound.

This burial mound was built in the early 8th century as one of the final kofun constructed in the northern outskirts of the Heijo capital. Excavations uncovered fragments of lacquered coffins along with gold and silver beads inside the stone chamber.

The name Karato comes from how the stone chamber resembles a traditional Japanese storage chest that nobility used during the Nara period. This connection shows how closely burial practices reflected the daily life and status of the ruling classes.

The mound sits at the border between Kizugawa City and Nara City and can be reached via marked walking paths. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as reaching the top requires some climbing over the stone-covered surface.

The mound is completely covered with stones, which sets it apart from many other kofun graves that are covered with earth. This stone covering has helped protect and preserve the inner chamber over the centuries.