Futazuka Kofun, Keyhole-shaped tumulus in Kinki region, Japan
Futazuka Kofun is a burial mound with a distinctive keyhole shape that shows a square end and a circular end from above. The entire structure spreads across a large area and is surrounded by water-filled moats that may have served ritual or protective purposes.
The structure was built between the 5th and 6th centuries as part of a wave of monumental construction by powerful clans. This period saw a shift in how people organized burials and reflected growing power concentrated in the hands of regional leaders.
The site reveals how people of that era honored their leaders after death and what they believed mattered in the afterlife. The careful arrangement of the mound and its surroundings shows the importance of rank and ceremony in ancient society.
The site is open year-round and offers the best view of the keyhole shape from an elevated vantage point overlooking the entire mound. Sturdy footwear is wise, especially after rain when the walking paths can become muddy.
The mound was built with such precision that its position aligns with specific celestial events during certain seasons. This astronomical accuracy suggests the builders understood complex patterns in the movements of heavenly bodies.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
