Yukinoyama Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Yukinoyama Kofun is an ancient burial mound in Shiga Prefecture with a distinctive keyhole shape formed by a rectangular front section and a circular rear section. The entire structure sits partway up Mount Yukino at roughly 200 meters elevation.
This burial mound was built in the early 4th century as a resting place for an important person of that era. Scientific study conducted over three years in the late 1980s and early 1990s revealed its internal chambers and their contents, providing rare insight into burial practices of the period.
The mound reflects how builders of the era worked with the land rather than against it, integrating the mountain slope into their design. The choice to build here shows what mattered most: a prominent hillside location that would remain visible for generations.
The mound itself is accessible for walking across and climbing, offering views of the surrounding area from the top. A nearby cultural center displays objects found in the burial chambers, helping visitors understand what they are seeing.
Unlike many comparable mounds, this one was carved directly into the mountain's natural stone rather than built up from excavated soil. The builders worked with the local rhyolite rock that formed the mountain itself, making it both a monument and a feature of the landscape.
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