Ishibutai Tumulus

photo by 663highland · CC BY 2.5

photo by alonfloc · CC BY 3.0

Its stones weigh 2,300 tonnes in total: the capstone alone, 77.

Visitors walk among the more than 30 exposed stones of the burial chamber, which together weigh about 2,300 tonnes (the capstone alone weighs 77). The stones are uncovered because the earth mound that covered them disappeared centuries ago; the tomb is believed to belong to Soga no Umako, a leading figure at the imperial court in the 7th century.

Ishibutai Tumulus, whose name means ‘stone stage’, is one of the best-known kofun (the burial mounds of rulers and nobles in ancient Japan) in the country: the stone burial chamber, now visible in the open air because the earth mound that covered it disappeared centuries ago, is built from more than 30 boulders that together weigh about 2,300 tonnes. It is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako, a leading figure at the imperial court in the 7th century.

ℹ️ Open 9:00–17:00. Admission 500 yen for adults and 200 yen for children.

🚉 Shimanosho · 6 min walk

Sources: asuka-park.jp

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