Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus, Hyogo

“Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus” was built in the late 4th century with a large keyhole-shaped tomb mound in Tarumi, Kobe. It is considered to be a grave of the rulers who ruled the Akashi channel and its surroundings. The largest burial mound in Hyogo prefecture. It is unusual to be able to climb to the top of the tomb, and of course if you are interested in history or archeology, it is a recommended spot as the view from the top is wonderful for anyone who is not.
The nearest station of Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus is Sanyo Train “Kasugaoka Station”, and from there it takes about 5 minutes on foot. In addition, it is approximately ten minutes on foot if it is from JR, Sanyo train “Tarumi Station”. You can see the tombs as you walk out along the track, leaving the ticket gate to the east, so the directions are very easy to understand.
Admission to Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus is free, but you need to have permission from the facility to enter. In order to tour the tombs, it is necessary to carry out a simple procedure (fill in where and how many people came from) in the “Management Building” that will be the reception counter. After completing the application form, you will receive a pamphlet written about Goshikizuka Kofun Tumulus. The excavated items from Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus are also displayed in the administration building, and if you visit it after visiting it, you will be able to deepen your understanding.
Since the road to the top of the tomb is bad with feet and has many stairs, it is best to leave a stroller. If you ask the staff at the reception desk, you can place the stroller in the administration building. In addition, please note that there is not restroom in old burial mound, and there is only this side of the administration ridge.
In fact, Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus has not been surveyed for the burial area, so little details are known. It is speculated that it is a tomb of the rulers who were built around the late 4th century and ruled the Akashi Strait and its surroundings. This Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus is a restoration based on an excavation survey, and although it is designated as a national historical site, the tombs themselves have no historical value.
The attempt was made to accurately reproduce the shape at the time of construction, but various problems were said to have occurred during construction. But it has been restored to its present form. Goshiki-zuka Kofun Tumulus seen from the sky, its size can be clearly understood in comparison with surrounding buildings. The person buried in this ancient tomb probably had the power right.

The end time of the 4th century

The ancient tomb “Goshiki-zuka Kofun” is on the heights which overlook Akashi Strait. From the form, it is called the keyhole-shaped mound. It is thought that the leading powerful clan who was governing Akashi Strait and its circumference was buried at the end time of the 4th century. In Japan, it is the 40th size. As a thing of this time, it is the ancient tomb of a large class.

The blackish stone is a stone in the period of ancient burial mounds

If you watch from the side of the ancient tomb, the keyhole type feature can be caught well.
The color of the stone is different between the flat side just before the ancient tomb and the side becoming higher in a circle. It is said that the blackish stone by the side of this front side is a stone in the period of ancient burial mounds which came out on the occasion of excavation investigation.

The brochure and an excavated clay image are displayed

Since it is precious cultural assets, before reaching an ancient tomb, it is necessary to take the necessary procedure in an administration office. The brochure about the old burial mound or an excavated clay image are displayed in the administration office.

The Akashi Channel is a strategic point of the traffic on the seas

From the old burial mound in the hill, you can look at Akashi Kaikyo Bridge which links Awajishima island to mainland of Japan under your eyes.
It means that there is no bridge in the second half of the 4th century when the ancient tomb was made, and people in those days had looked at the strait, but the Akashi Channel does not still change that it is a strategic point of the traffic on the seas as it was in the past.

A little history trip can be tasted

The pipe-formed thing which formed a line in a row is Haniwa (clay images). Although it is a replica, unlike the form of the face being familiar to ordinary people, it is a cylindrical clay figure.
When you stand in the ancient tomb and look at Akashi Channel over a clay image, for a mysterious view beyond time, you forget time for a while. A little history trip can be tasted.

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