甲塚古墳, Ancient burial mound in Iwaki, Japan
Kabutsuka Kofun is an ancient burial mound with a distinctive scallop shape that rises approximately 8 meters above the surrounding farmland. The structure spans about 37 meters in diameter and displays the characteristic features of this Japanese tomb form from prehistoric times.
The mound was built during the 6th century as a burial site and received national historic site designation in 1923. This recognition acknowledged its importance as evidence of early Japanese burial practices.
The mound exemplifies burial customs of Japanese nobility during the Kofun period, with its scallop shape representing a specific architectural tradition from that era.
Public bus service runs from JR Iwaki Station to Okuninushi Shrine stop, with car parking available at the site. Wear sturdy shoes since paths to the mound cross farmland and can become slippery during wet conditions.
The scallop shape of this mound is remarkably rare and stands out from the more common round or keyhole-shaped kofun found elsewhere in Japan. This distinctive form makes it a valuable example of the diversity in burial mound designs from that period.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
