Behind the Tango City Ancient Villege Museum, there is Sinmeiyama Tomb, the largest keyhole tomb on the Japan Sea side. Its total length is 190m and was built in the 4th and 5th centuries. It was situated so that a view of the Japan Sea is available from the top of the mountain.
Why was a huge tomb built in the area of little farmland near the mouth of the Takeno River? Because there used to be a cove at that time.There was a port by the side of the tomb, and the ancient Tango king was deeply involved in maritime trade.
In addition, the person who rowed the boat is drawn in the Haniwa (clay image) in the tomb, is filled with the view and the history

In this museum you can call back the Tenpyo culture (8th century) with a model of the Kii Kokubunji temple and others. In addition, this museum introduces the ancient culture and history of Kishu domain, through luxurious burial accessories, such as gold jewels, Magatama (ancient Japanese ornamental stones) and harnesses connected to the Korean peninsula excavated from the tombs along the Kinokawa River.
The Ki family, king of Kishuu domain, is said to originate from the ancestor of Takenouchi no Sukune, a migratory clan. It was said that Ki family serviced well the 5 Emperors in Kawachi Osaka, who had paid tribute to the Eastern Jin dynasty (317-410), Sung Dynasty (420-479) and were appointed as King of Japan.

This tomb is the largest keyhole tomb in Tanba province, in Hyogo Prefecture. It has a total length of about 140m, and was built in the end of 5th century. The person buried here was Tanbano michinushino Mikoto, one of the four generals of Emperor Suijin.
The tombs that were filled with water in that moat are truly magnificent. Hichireikyo, the bronze mirror with 7 small bells on the periphery and other excavated items, shows that there was a powerful leader directly connected to the Emperor.
Excavated items were exhibited at the Sasayama City Historical Artifacts Museum.Those convey the high level of technology and life culture at that time.

This shine is located along the coast of the Japan Sea in Murakami Niigata. It was the Sochinju, a central place of prayer for local gods in Ishifune county, Murakami, before the Asuka period of the 6th – 8th century. Nigihayahi no Mikoto, the ancestor god of the Mononobe clan, a powerful military clan in the 6th century, is enshrined here.
Nihon-shoki, the oldest chronicles of Japan from the 8th century, described this area. Iwafune no Saku was a fort was built during ancient times to protect against the Emishi, the term for non-Yamato people from northern Japan.
There are Uratamaya tombs, built in the 6th century, on the hills near the shrine. The construction style of the stone chamber tells the connection with Kyushu Island, Wakasa Fukui, and Sado Island, Niigata, along Tsushima Current in the Japan Sea.

The southern Zenkojidaira, where the Chikuma River and the Sai River join, has been a source of rich soil and a large distribution center, since ancient times. In the Tumulus period in Japan, the king of Shinano chose the foot of Mt. Ariakeyama, along the Chikuma River, from which he could see his Kuni (domain). He built a keyhole tomb with a total length of about 100m on which stones were piled and lined with Haniwa (clay images).
This park restores the Yashiro Shimizu ruins pit houses, huts, and high-floor warehouses. The Mori-Shogunzuka Museum shows you how the Mura (Village) became the center of the Kuni (Domain) and the regional country.

The southern Zenkojidaira, where the Chikuma River and the Sai River join, has been a source of rich soil and a large distribution center, since ancient times. In the Tumulus period in Japan, the king of Shinano chose the foot of Mt. Ariakeyama, along the Chikuma River, from which he could see his Kuni (domain). He built a keyhole tomb with a total length of about 100m on which stones were piled and lined with Haniwa (clay images).
It was designed so that on the Vernal and Autumnal Equinox, the sun’s rays would be cast along the central line of this tomb. The sun informed the tomb as to when the festival began.

This historical park preserves a wide area, approximately 30ha, mainly with tombs. In particular, Jorakuji and Nanatsuzuka Tombs are the largest in the Chugoku region, with 176 tombs on the gentle hills.
There are 116 tombs in the Jorakuji tombs group on the north side, and 60 tombs in the Nanatsuduka tombs group on the south side. There are round burial mounds, flat-topped burial mounds, keyhole tombs and scallop shaped tombs.
There is a promenade built in the 5th and 6th century, too.

The fourth largest tomb in Japan is a 360m length of keyhole tomb from the first half of the 5th century. It is thought that this tomb was the largest in Japan at the time of construction. It tells of the existence of the Kibi king, which used to be comparable to the Great King in Kawachi, Osaka.
There is Kibiji Fudoki no Oka, Okayama Prefecture National Park as records of the culture and geography of this province, 4 km west of this tomb. The five-storied pagoda of Bichu Kokubunnji, state-supported provincial temple, quietly stands in a red pine forest of the park. That landscape blends rural scenery with historic sites, with harmony.

Tombs dot the plateau of Takanawa cordillera, overlooking Higash Iyoiiyo, Kagawa district. This museum introduces tombs in Asakura Kagawa, including Kinomoto tomb from the 5th century. Kankyo, a Chinese magic mirror, and a bronze mirror from the Han Dynasty (206BC – 220AD), was excavated at the Kinomoto tomb, which is exhibited at Tokyo National Museum.
The tomb and Kankyo indicates that Setouchi Kaido, the sea route, had been established byEmperor Ojin during the Kawachi Dynasty in the 5th century. It carried the civilization and culture from China to Nanba, in Kinai region, provinces surrounding Kyoto and Nara. Ojin was regarded as the guardian of warriors.
These also tell the birth of Japanese history, precisely.

This museum introduces Iyo culture and Iyo Province as the historical interchange on the sea route. Kankyo: a bronze mirror from the Han Dynasty (206BC – 220AD), was excavated at Amayama jinja-kita ruins in Matsuyama City. It was at the time described in China, as the days of the Five kings of Wa, an old name for Japan.
Fudoki: a description of Japanese regional climate, culture, mentioned Dogo Onsen, a hot spring, in Ehime, along with the Kinai region, provinces surrounding Kyoto and Nara. These were from the days of the Kawachi Dynasty, started by Emperor Ojin, regarded as the guardian of warriors. Those indicate historically the big presence of Iyo Province, during ancient times.
With its 3000 year history, along with the legend of the Gods coming down to Yamato Province, Kinai and Iyo Province created Japan‘s provinces.

A group of 300 Yame burial mounds, from the 4th to the 7th centuries, are located on the Yame Hills, a 10km expanse, north of Yame city. Among the tombs, the Iwatoyama ancient tomb, from the first half of the 6th century, is the largest keyhole tomb in the north of Kyushu.
And this tomb is the one of Tsukushinokimi Iwai, the one-time king of this area. Stone statues of people, soldiers and horses excavated in large quantities from this tomb tell that he was the champion of northern Kyushu.
This center possesses and displays Haniwa (clay image), unglazed vessels, gold rings, gold earrings with hanging ornaments, iron weapons and armor excavated from the Yame burial mounds.

This museum exhibits the history and the folk culture of Fukuoka, which has long been a gateway to foreign exchange. The most well-known artifact is an imperial seal which was made of gold.
The seal was bestowed to a lord of a then existent Japanese country called “Na” and the gift was mentioned in a Chinese history book called “Book of Later Han Dynasty”. The Chu, which is the finger grip of the imperial seal, was cast to the shape of a snake, which is said to be given to kings of the surrounding countries around the ancient empire of China.
This seal contains valuable written inscriptions in 57AD and is historically significant.

Usa Fudoki no Oka, the hill to record the culture and geography of this province, has ancient tombs built at the end of the 3rd century, which are looking down on the Usa Plain, overlooking the Buzen Sea. The mirrors, burial accessories similar to those of tombs in Fukuoka and Kyoto were excavated at those tombs. Those show tight bonds with the Yamato administration (the Asuka period 592 – 710).
This museum is located on this hill and exhibits molding statue of the Buddha triad of Tenpukuji Temple and the restoration of Fukiji temple Big Hall. It also introduces the history and culture of temples in Rokugoumanzan, Kunisaki Peninsula, of Usa province and Usa Jingu shrine.

Saitobaru tombs is the largest tomb area in Japan. It is located 30 km north of Miyazaki City. Construction of those tombs began from the 3rd century and many mysteries remains. Osahozuka tomb is the largest keyhole tomb in Japan, with a total length is 176m.
Oni No Iwaya Burial Mound is similar to the burial mounds of Continental China and the Korean peninsula. The only similar tomb in Japan is Ishibutai Tumulus in Aska Nara. And in this tombs area, there are Mound Tombs, Underground Tombs, and South Kyushu’s special Tunnel Tombs.