Takamatsuzuka Tomb, Circular burial mound in Asuka, Japan
Takamatsuzuka is a circular burial mound made of tuff stone in Asuka, containing a painted stone chamber inside. The chamber itself measures roughly 2.5 meters in length and has frescoes on all four walls.
The mound was built between 694 and 710 during the Fujiwara Palace period, likely for a member of the court elite. Farmers discovered the paintings in 1972 while digging into the mound.
The paintings inside show figures wearing robes typical of the Asuka court, reflecting the exchange with China and Korea at that time. Visitors today can view replicas that show how those distant contacts shaped the way people dressed and imagined the afterlife.
The museum displays full-size reproductions of the paintings and stone chamber that visitors can examine closely. Entry is free and the site is within walking distance of other archaeological spots in the Asuka area.
The western side shows women in contemporary dress and hairstyles, offering a rare direct glimpse into fashion from that era. The colors have partly survived the centuries underground.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
