A Historic Site Overlooking the Izumo Plain
A Scenic Location Above the Hii River
The Nishitani Tombs were built on a hill on the left bank of the Hii River. The area was an important place for transportation and daily life in ancient times, while the broad Izumo Plain stretches out below the hill.
Standing on top of a reconstructed burial mound, visitors can look across the same landscape that ancient rulers may once have surveyed. The expansive view of the Izumo Plain adds another fascinating dimension to the archaeological experience.
The Unique Four-Corner Protruding Burial Mounds
A Distinctive Burial Tradition of Izumo
One of the most remarkable features of the Nishitani Tombs is the presence of four-corner protruding burial mounds. These burial mounds have distinctive projections extending from their four corners and represent a burial tradition that developed primarily in the Izumo region. They are rarely found elsewhere in Japan.
Six tombs at Nishitani—Tombs No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 9—belong to this distinctive type. All are among the largest examples known in Japan. In particular, Tombs No. 3 and No. 9 are exceptionally large, suggesting that they were built for powerful leaders who held considerable authority during the Yayoi period.
Highlights of the Major Tombs
Tomb No. 3 – A Monumental Tomb of an Early King
Tomb No. 3 is a four-corner protruding burial mound dating from the late Yayoi period and is considered the first royal tomb constructed on Nishitani Hill. It measures approximately 40 meters from east to west and 30 meters from north to south, with a height of about 4.5 meters.
Excavations revealed a burial facility containing a wooden coffin, traces of cinnabar spread around the burial area, and grave goods such as glass beads and an iron sword. Numerous pottery fragments originating from the Kibi region and Hokuriku region were also discovered, suggesting that the people of ancient Izumo maintained connections with distant parts of Japan.
Part of the mound has now been reconstructed, and visitors can climb to the top. From the summit, there is a sweeping view across the Izumo Plain, offering a unique opportunity to imagine the landscape from the perspective of an ancient ruler.
Tomb No. 2 – Experience an Ancient Burial through an Interior Exhibition
Tomb No. 2 is thought to have been built for a ruler of the generation after the person buried in Tomb No. 3. Based on archaeological investigations, the entire mound has been reconstructed.
One of its most interesting features is an exhibition space inside the mound. Models recreate the burial scene and provide an easy-to-understand introduction to funerary practices during the Yayoi period.
Artifacts such as glass bracelets and pottery also offer clues about the culture, beliefs, and social structure of the people who lived in ancient Izumo.
Tomb No. 9 – The Largest Tomb at the Site
Tomb No. 9 is the largest of the four-corner protruding burial mounds at Nishitani. It measures approximately 42 meters from east to west, 35 meters from north to south, and 5 meters in height.
Its base features a distinctive triple-layered stone-paved structure, a feature not seen in the same form at the other tombs. Because of its exceptional scale and construction, the tomb is thought to have been built for a person of particularly high status.
Tombs No. 4 and No. 6
Tomb No. 4 is particularly significant because the discovery of pottery here helped lead to the identification and investigation of the archaeological site. Tomb No. 6 survives only partially, but its remaining structure clearly demonstrates the characteristic shape of a four-corner protruding burial mound.
Changes in Burial Customs from the Yayoi to Nara Periods
The importance of the Nishitani Tombs goes beyond its Yayoi-period burial mounds. The site provides evidence of how burial customs changed over several centuries.
After the large burial mounds of the late Yayoi period, square and circular burial mounds were constructed during the Kofun period. Later, pit tombs carved into the earth and rock appeared, followed by cremation burials during the Nara period.
In other words, Nishitani provides a rare opportunity to observe the transformation of Japanese burial traditions at a single location over several hundred years.
From Discovery to National Historic Site
A Chance Discovery Led to Archaeological Research
The site first came to attention in 1953, when local junior high school students discovered fragments of ancient pottery. Subsequent investigations gradually revealed that the area contained a large group of ancient tombs.
By the 1970s, researchers had confirmed the presence of four-corner protruding burial mounds. Full-scale archaeological excavations began in the 1980s, and investigations of Tomb No. 3 in particular revealed important details about its burial structure and ritual practices.
Preserved as a National Historic Site
The archaeological and historical importance of the site was officially recognized in 2000, when the Nishitani Tombs were designated a National Historic Site. The area was subsequently developed as a historic park and opened to the public.
Nishitani Tombs Historic Park – Izumo Yayoi-no-Mori
A Park Where You Can Experience Ancient History
Today, the Nishitani Tombs are preserved as the Izumo Yayoi-no-Mori Historic Park. Visitors can see reconstructed burial mounds at close range and explore walking paths surrounded by greenery.
The unusual four-corner protruding shape of the tombs is particularly impressive. Because this style is rarely seen elsewhere in Japan, the site offers visitors a chance to experience a distinctive aspect of the ancient culture of Izumo.
Izumo Yayoi-no-Mori Museum
A Museum That Brings the Archaeological Site to Life
Next to the historic site is the Izumo Yayoi-no-Mori Museum, which provides additional information about the Nishitani Tombs. The museum displays excavated artifacts, models, and the results of archaeological research.
Large dioramas of the burial mounds and displays recreating the appearance of ancient Izumo rulers help visitors imagine how people lived and conducted rituals during the Yayoi period.
The museum also offers hands-on programs, including magatama bead making and experiences with ancient clothing. These activities provide an enjoyable way for both adults and children to learn about ancient Japanese culture.
Why Visit the Nishitani Tombs?
The Nishitani Tombs are important not only for their archaeological value but also for their beautiful setting. The site offers expansive views over the Izumo Plain, well-maintained walking paths, and enormous reconstructed burial mounds surrounded by nature.
Combining a visit to the tombs with the nearby museum makes it possible to understand ancient Izumo from several perspectives—from archaeological discoveries and burial customs to the political power and cultural connections of its ancient rulers.
Access
The Nishitani Tombs are conveniently located within Izumo City and can be reached relatively easily from central Izumo.
From JR Izumoshi Station: Approximately 10 minutes by car.
From Ichibata Railway Otsu-machi Station: Approximately 20 minutes on foot.
By bus: Take the Izumo-Mitoya Line and get off at Izumo Yayoi-no-Mori Museum-mae.
By car: Approximately 10 minutes from the Hikawa Interchange on the San’in Expressway.
Step into the World of Ancient Izumo
The Nishitani Tombs are a remarkable archaeological site that preserves evidence of powerful rulers who lived in ancient Izumo during the Yayoi period. The distinctive four-corner protruding burial mounds, monumental scale of the tombs, and evidence of cultural exchange with distant regions all provide fascinating insights into Japan’s ancient history.
Standing among the reconstructed tombs and looking across the Izumo Plain offers a powerful connection with the distant past. The combination of archaeological remains, reconstructed burial mounds, natural scenery, and the nearby museum makes Nishitani an especially rewarding destination for travelers interested in Japanese history and archaeology.
When exploring Izumo, consider visiting the Nishitani Tombs to discover a lesser-known side of the region—one that reveals the world of ancient rulers, burial rituals, and the unique culture that flourished here long before modern Japan took shape.