Shidami Otsuka Kofun

Shidami Otsuka Kofun is a large burial mound shaped like a scallop shell with ditches surrounding it to mark its original extent. The interior contains multiple burial chambers where the most valued objects and the deceased were placed.

The mound was constructed in late antiquity when Japanese society was undergoing major changes and new power centers were emerging. Early 20th century excavations brought to light many objects that document how this period looked and functioned.

The mound shows how local leaders honored their dead and what they believed mattered in the afterlife through burial practices. The objects placed inside reveal much about daily life and the craftsmanship skills of people living in this region at that time.

The site is part of a group of seven mounds in the area that visitors can explore on foot, with a museum nearby to provide context. Expect uneven ground and wear sturdy shoes, as the pathways lead across earthen mounds.

Excavations uncovered special bronze mirrors and iron weapons that reveal the buried person was connected to the most powerful leaders of the country. Such high-quality objects were rare and show this was a place of real power.