Itsukahara Kofun, Ancient burial mound in Otokuni, Japan
Itsukahara Kofun is a keyhole-shaped burial mound typical of ancient Japan's most important funeral sites. It contains a circular section with a burial chamber and a trapezoidal platform used for rituals and ceremonies.
Built between the 3rd and 7th centuries, this mound was created when powerful regional leaders wanted to show their status through monumental burial sites. It is part of the Otokuni Kofun Cluster, which gained UNESCO recognition in 2019.
This burial mound reflects how ancient Japanese leaders were honored and remembered by their communities. The artifacts found within show what the ruling class valued and how they wanted to be commemorated.
Access to this site is strictly managed by the Imperial Household Agency, which limits when and how visitors can view it. Plan ahead because public entry is restricted and you may only be able to see the mound from designated viewpoints nearby.
White stones once covered the entire surface, giving the mound a bright, gleaming appearance that has long since faded. Its construction required roughly 2,000 workers and took approximately 15 years to complete.
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