Inariyama Kofun, Keyhole-shaped burial mound in Takashima, Japan

Inariyama Kofun, also called Kamo Inariyama Kofun, is a keyhole-shaped mound about 50 meters long with the rectangular front facing south. Its burial mound is gone, but the tuff sarcophagus carved in the shape of a house remains in a protective shelter on the spot where it was found in 1902.

Built in the first half of the 6th century, the mound was discovered in 1902 during roadworks, when a house-shaped tuff sarcophagus was unearthed. Kyoto Imperial University conducted the first full excavation in 1923. The burial goods suggest a close link to the Yamato court and to the Korean kingdoms of Daegaya and Silla.

The mound was long known as Inari-zuka, a shrine to Inari, and local tradition held that a mikoshi was buried there, which deterred villagers from digging it up. The name Inariyama preserves that earlier use. The burial goods, including a gilt-bronze crown, shoes and a fish pendant, are now kept at the Tokyo National Museum.

Visitors can reach the archaeological site by using public transportation to Takashima. Informational panels on-site explain the historical context and allow you to explore the mound's structure at your own pace.

The three prestige items found here — a wide-banded two-hill crown, a twisted ring-pommel sword and a three-leaf-pattern oval harness ornament — appear together at only one other kofun, Mozume Kurumazuka in Muko, Kyoto Prefecture. The set points to a tomb linked to the Yamato court, and the coffin was hauled over 100 km from Mount Nijo.