Shidami Kofun group, Ancient burial site in Moriyama district, Japan.
The Shidami Kofun is a collection of burial mounds dating from the 4th to 7th centuries with distinctive keyhole shapes and circular burial chambers. The site contains multiple mounds arranged together, forming an archaeological complex that reveals construction techniques and burial traditions from this era.
The earliest mounds were constructed in the 4th century and the site remained in use for burials across several centuries. One major burial received national designation in 1972, with six additional mounds officially recognized in 2014.
The burial mounds reveal social divisions through their sizes and shapes, showing how different people held varying importance in ancient society. Visitors can observe how each mound's form and placement tell a story about the status of those interred within.
The burial grounds are freely accessible and can be explored at any time, allowing visitors to view the mounds from the surrounding pathways. An adjacent museum provides deeper context about artifacts and discoveries from the site, though entry there may require separate access.
Before modern times, the site held far more burial mounds, but military training activities in recent decades destroyed many structures. The remaining mounds now represent a significant portion of ancient funerary monuments still visible in the wider region.
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