"This group of tunnel tombs is known locally as the ""100 Holes of Nagaoka."" The cave tunnel burial mound consists of 52 holes dug into the south slope of Utsunomiya Hill situated between the Tagawa River and Kinu River. Exactly when it was made is not clear, but the tombs, also known as the ""100 Kannon"" and ""100 Holes,"" are believed to have been built during the first half of the seventh century, a time when such tunnel tomb groups were created across the country. It is believed this was a mass cemetery with familial grave characteristics for those of low social status."
This cemetery is where successive Matsudaira domain lords are laid to rest, from Masatsune Hoshina, the second lord of the Aizu domain, to Katamori, the ninth lord of the domain at the end of the Edo period (1603-1867). Successive lords and their families rest on this vast site of over 15 square meters. Three to nine generations of domain leaders were buried following Shinto rituals, which is rare in Japan, and it is possible to see unique structures throughout the cemetery. Many people visit when there is fresh greenery and the autumn leaves are changing colors. The first leader of the domain, Masayuki Hoshina, is buried at Hanitsu Shrine in Inawashiro Town.
This group of ancient tombs is widely distributed across the grounds of the Wakayama Prefecture Kii-fudoki-no-oka Museum of Archaeology and Folklore located primarily in Maeyama area, Iwase mountainous region. Believed to be the tombs of the ancient and powerful Kii clan, over 850 tombs have been confirmed to exist, with potentially many more. One of the largest ancient tomb groups in the country, the stone passage tombs are distinctively outfitted with beams and shelves made of crystalline schist and have been designated a National Special Historic Site. A portion of the tombs have been made viewable to the general public.
"The Zenrinji Temple is a Buddhist temple situated along Tokyo Metropolitan Road Route 163 west of JR Hamura Station. The grave of Kaizan Nakazato, who wrote ""Daibosatsu toge"" (""Daibosatsu Pass"") with the aim of creating the longest novel in the world, is located on the temple's grounds. Nakazato was born in Hamura City in 1885. ""Daibosatsu toge"" was serialized in newspapers from 1913 through 1944, but Nakazato passed away before finishing it. The writer's grave is located on a hill behind the main temple. The stones piled up on the grave were brought here from the Daibosatsu Pass in Koshu. A memorial service is held each year on April 29th on the anniversary of Nakazato's death."
This is a group of tombs located in a scenic area overlooking the town of Zentsuji City. This group of tombs are said to be those of a distinguished family, the ancestors of Saint Kobo Daishi. Zentsuji, historically known as the city of tumulus mounds. Over 400 sites of varying sizes, have been discovered in the greater municipal region. Among these, the one considered to be of an equally distinguished status of a chief, is the Ohakayama tomb in the center of the Arioka group. This keyhole shaped tomb is about 46 meters in length and was built around mid-sixth century. From the stone burial chamber earthenware, ornaments, weapons and horse tack were excavated. April 29th is the official tumulus day, designated by the city. On this day, the normally sealed off, yokoanashiki horizontal stone chamber of the Ohakayama tomb and the Noda-in tomb mound is opened to the public for viewing.
An ancient burial mound located on a natural embankment on the northern shore of Arakawa. It's one of the few burial mounds featuring a square flat base and round top found in Japan. The lower part of the tomb measures nearly 17-meters east by 24-meters west and stands nearly 2-meters high while the upper section is nearly 10-meters in diameter and 2.15-meters high topped with roofing stones. The tomb was constructed in the late 7th century. In 1956 it was designated as a National Historic Site.
Discovered during the construction of a school and residential area, the Fukuichi Ruins have been of great value in studying the Kofun period in the San'in region. Located at the confluence of the Hino and Hosshoji Rivers, about 35,000 earthenware fragments have been excavated from the sites of several hundred villages, as well as over 200 tombs. Some of the sites have been preserved and constitute a historical park that reproduces Yayoi period village scenery. Locals go there to relax in the spring and early summer when the cherry trees and azaleas are in bloom.
The area around Arashima Station overlooking Lake Nakaumi has a concentration of tombs built between the Yayoi and Kofun periods. Ancient Izumo King Tombs Hill consists of four parks, including the burial mounds at Chusenji, Miyayama, and Shiotsuyama, as well as the main Tsukuriyama Burial Mound group, one of the largest in the nation. Tombs in the park are all open to public viewing. There are royal tombs from the Yayoi period at Chusenji Park and Miyayama Park and four mounds like a flat-topped burial mound and conjoined rectangular mounds at Tsukuriyama Park. Excavations here showed the tombs in eastern Izumo were four-cornered. Today the site is known as a local recreation spot.
"The final resting place of Emperor Gotoba, who was exiled to Oki after the Jokyu Rebellion. A torii shrine gate stands at the cremation mound in a lush green grove. After his death in 1240 some of the remains were brought to an official mausoleum in Kyoto, but the rest of the ashes were buried at this site. It's about 50 meters from the entrance to the torii gate, but you can't get close as the area is fenced off. Locals still call it ""Gotoban-san"" and it is treated as a sacred place."
Built approximately 1,500 years ago, this is the largest keyhole-shaped mound in the prefecture. It's about 92 meters long; judging from the artifacts unearthed when the stone chamber was discovered, it was the tomb of a powerful western Izumo ruler. Many royal tombs are concentrated in this area between Hii and Kando rivers. In the rear circular portion of the mound is a 12.8-meter long and 3.3-meter high stone tunnel grave. It has two house-shaped sarcophagi, one large and one small. At an estimated weight of 10 tons, the sarcophagus to the rear is among the largest in Japan.
A graveyard on the way from Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine to Inasa Beach. At the top of the stone stairs from the parking lot on National Route 431, you'll find the tomb of a shrine maiden named Okuni; associated with Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, she is said to be the originator of today's Kabuki performance art. The simple stone grave is a reminder of Okuni's later years which were spent as a Buddhist nun chanting scripture and reciting poetry. It is said that the dance that was performed throughout the nation to support the repair of Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine during the Azuchi-Momoyama period became the basis of today's Kabuki. Still today performers and others with ties to the art visit to pray for successful performances.
