Gishiki no Iwaya

The Gishiki no Iwaya caves contain multiple chambers carved into the mountainside, forming part of the extensive Hotaka Kofun burial cluster in Nagano Prefecture.

The burial site dates back to the Kofun period between 250 and 538 AD, representing traditional Japanese funeral practices and architectural developments of that era.

The caves hold strong connections to Japanese folklore through tales of Gishiki Hachimen Daio, a medieval thief whose stories remain central to local traditions.

Located at coordinates 36.385 latitude and 137.822778 longitude, visitors can access the archaeological site through marked pathways from the main road in Azumino.

The cave system combines natural rock formations with human-made modifications, creating a network of burial chambers that reflect ancient Japanese engineering methods.

Location: Azumino

Part of: Hotaka Kofun Cluster

GPS coordinates: 36.38500,137.82278

Latest update: March 11, 2025 12:04