西都原古墳群
Saitobaru Burial Mounds
Japan’s largest collection of burial mounds - a precious historical site that teaches us about ancient Japan
A burial mound is a type of ancient Japanese burial mound. The Saitobaru Burial Mounds consists of over 300 Kofun of various sizes scattered in a vast plateau area stretching 2.6 kilometers east to west and 4.2 kilometers north to south. Designated a special historic site, it holds one of the largest clusters of Kofun in Japan. The round shaped Oni-no-Iwaya is the only Kofun in the clusters with an open entry way on the side, and visitors can tour the inside. Legend has it that this Kofun was built in just one night by an Oni, or demon, that fell in love with the beautiful Konohana Sakuyahime.
The entire area forms a park that attracts numerous visitors as a famous place to view seasonal flowers, with cherry blossoms and flowering canola in the springtime, sunflowers in summer, and cosmos in the fall. Meanwhile, artifacts uncovered during archaeological digs at the site are available on display at the Saitobaru Archaeological Museum of Miyazaki Prefecture, offering a chance to learn about life in ancient Japan (admission free). There is also the Konohana-kan (Guidance Center) with a shop and restaurant featuring local goods and produce, which is worth a visit.
* Note that the Konohana-kan will be closed for renovations from April 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025.
Area | #Saito City |
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Category | #Nature and Scenery #Mythology and History |
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Basic Information
Address | 881-0005 宮崎県西都市大字三宅西都原 |
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Telephone Number | 0983-42-0024(Saitobaru Burial Mounds Cluster Administration Office) |
Fax no. | 0983-42-0242 |
Contact | Saito City Tourism Association TEL:0983-41-1557 |
Business Hours | Saitobaru Guidance Center Konohana-kan / 9:00-17:00 Saitobaru Archaeological Museum of Miyazaki Prefecture / 9:30-17:30 |
Closed Days | Saitobaru Guidance Center Konohana-kan: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday) Saitobaru Archaeological Museum: Mondays (or the following day if Monday is a national holiday), the day after holidays (except Saturdays, Sundays, and the next day if Monday is a holiday), the day after a holiday (except when that day is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday), year end and New Year’s (December 28 - January 4) |
Transport | ■ About 1 hour from Miyazaki Airport. ■ About 50 minutes from JR Miyazaki Station. ■ About 15 minutes from the Saito Interchange on the Higashi Kyushu Expressway. ■ About 1 hour from JR Miyazaki Station via the Miyazaki Kotsu Bus bound for Saito. Get off at the Saito Bus Center and travel about 10 minutes by car. |
Carpark | Space for 700 cars (6 large), free |
Related website | Saitobaru Burial Mounds Saito City Tourism Association website Miyazaki Prefectural Saitobaru Archaeological Museum |
*Information on facilities is subject to change. Please check each official website for the latest information.