Ishibutai Kofun (Stone Stage Tumulus)

Overview

Ishibutai Kofun is a late Kofun period tumulus located in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, and designated as a Special Historic Site of Japan. Constructed in the 7th century, it's one of Japan's largest and most impressive tumuli, featuring a massive horizontal-shaft stone chamber built from 30 giant granite stones. While the burial mound itself has disappeared, the stone chamber remains almost perfectly intact and is open to visitors. The chamber measures approximately 7.7 meters in length, 3.5 meters in width, and 4.7 meters in height, with an estimated total weight of around 2,300 tons. The interior of the stone chamber is a precious space allowing you to imagine the era. The craftsmanship of the walls and ceiling is truly remarkable. Furthermore, a drainage system is visible from the entrance to the interior, highlighting the advanced engineering of the time. While the individual buried within Ishibutai Kofun remains unidentified, the most prominent theory suggests it's the tomb of Soga no Umako, a powerful and influential politician of the Asuka period. Many historical sites, such as Asuka-dera Temple and Tachibana-dera Temple, are located near Ishibutai Kofun, offering the chance to delve into ancient history. Exploring these sites provides a deeper understanding of ancient Japanese culture and history. Ishibutai Kofun is an invaluable historical site for understanding ancient Japanese history. We encourage you to visit and experience ancient culture firsthand.