Gokasho Futagozuka Kofun

Gokasho Futagozuka Kofun is a large burial mound with a distinctive keyhole shape visible from above, featuring a rectangular front section that connects to a circular rear portion. The entire structure rises from the surrounding landscape, revealing the scale and engineering effort required to build such an ancient monument.

This burial mound was built between the 3rd and 7th centuries, during a time when such structures were constructed for high-ranking individuals in Japan. Its construction reflects the development of Japanese society during this early period.

The name reflects both the shape and landscape location of this burial mound, which visitors can still observe today. Walking around the site helps you understand how such structures symbolized power and status in ancient times.

The site is accessible via marked walking paths that allow visitors to see the mound's shape from different viewpoints. While the mound itself is protected from excavation, the paths provide good views of the entire structure.

Archaeological digs have unearthed terracotta figures known as haniwa that once stood around the mound. These figures were not merely grave goods but served to protect and decorate the burial site itself.