Ancient Izumo Royal Burial Mounds Park is a historic park located near JR Arashima Station in Yasugi, Shimane Prefecture. The park preserves a group of ancient burial mounds dating from the Yayoi Period to the Kofun Period and offers visitors an opportunity to explore the history of ancient Izumo while enjoying the surrounding natural scenery.
The park is situated on hills overlooking Lake Nakaumi, providing beautiful views across the water and toward the mountains of the Shimane Peninsula. Because of its combination of archaeological sites, greenery, and scenic viewpoints, it is a popular destination for both history enthusiasts and visitors who enjoy walking and hiking.
The area contains numerous burial mounds believed to have belonged to powerful leaders of ancient Izumo. Due to their historical importance, several of the sites have been designated as National Historic Sites. The park consists of four main areas: Chusenji, Miyayama, Shiozuyama, and Tsukuriyama, which together are known as the Ancient Izumo Royal Burial Mounds.
The area around JR Arashima Station is known for its concentration of burial sites dating from the late Yayoi Period through the Kofun Period. Hills approximately 50 to 60 meters above sea level stretch along the western side of the Yasugi Plain, south of Lake Nakaumi. Ancient leaders are believed to have been buried along these ridges.
The burial mounds reflect changes in burial customs over time. The earliest examples include distinctive four-corner protruding burial mounds, a type particularly associated with the San’in region. These were later followed by large square burial mounds and then keyhole-shaped burial mounds with a square rear section.
These changes provide valuable evidence of the development of political and cultural society in ancient Izumo. Today, many of the sites have been preserved as a park, and visitors can walk to some of the burial mounds and explore the landscape where these ancient communities once flourished.
The Tsukuriyama Burial Mound Group is one of the most important areas within the park. Several burial mounds dating from the 4th to 6th centuries can be found here. Among them, Tsukuriyama No. 1 is one of the largest early Kofun-period square burial mounds in Japan.
The mound measures approximately 60 meters on each side and about 10 meters high. A vertical stone burial chamber was discovered in 1936. Archaeological finds from the chamber included a triangular-rimmed bronze mirror decorated with designs of deities and mythical animals, beads, and an iron sword. These discoveries indicate that the tomb was probably built for a powerful leader of the time.
Tsukuriyama No. 1 was designated a National Historic Site in 1936 because of its archaeological importance.
Tsukuriyama No. 3 is another early Kofun-period square burial mound. A bronze mirror and small glass beads were discovered in its vertical stone burial chamber. On the highest part of the hill stands Tsukuriyama No. 2, a keyhole-shaped burial mound approximately 50 meters long, along with the smaller No. 4 mound.
Together, these sites provide an unusual opportunity to observe how burial traditions changed during the Kofun Period.
One of the highlights of Tsukuriyama Park is its impressive scenery. The burial mounds stand on hills overlooking Lake Nakaumi, and visitors can enjoy wide views from the top of the mounds and from the park’s viewpoints.
On clear days, sunlight reflects across the surface of Lake Nakaumi, while the mountains of the distant Shimane Peninsula can be seen beyond the lake. The scenery has long attracted visitors and is now recognized as one of the Eight Scenic Views of Lake Nakaumi.
Standing on top of an ancient burial mound and looking across the landscape offers a special way to imagine the world of ancient Izumo and the people who once ruled this region.
Chusenji Park and Miyayama Park contain another important group of ancient burial sites. Among them are distinctive burial mounds dating from the late Yayoi Period known as four-corner protruding burial mounds.
These burial mounds have a distinctive shape. Each corner of the otherwise square mound extends outward, creating a unique appearance associated particularly with ancient burial traditions in the San’in region.
The Chusenji Burial Mound Group once consisted of more than 18 burial mounds dating from the late Yayoi Period through the Kofun Period. Some of the surviving sites have been preserved and developed as historic attractions.
At Miyayama Park, visitors can see a reconstructed four-corner protruding burial mound, making it easier to understand what these unusual ancient tombs looked like.
These archaeological sites were designated National Historic Sites in 1971 and are important cultural resources for understanding society in ancient Izumo.
Shiozuyama Park preserves Shiozuyama No. 1, a square burial mound dating from the early Kofun Period. One of its notable features is the stone-covered slope on the side facing the plain, providing evidence of the sophisticated construction techniques used at the time.
Today, Shiozuyama Park has been reconstructed above a tunnel of the San’in Expressway. In addition to the burial mound, the park is home to Shiozu Shrine.
Near the shrine, part of a horizontal stone burial chamber is exposed, allowing visitors to see an ancient burial structure at close range. Surrounded by quiet woodland, the park is a peaceful place to walk while discovering the history of ancient Izumo.
Ancient Izumo Royal Burial Mounds Park is not only an archaeological site but also a pleasant place to enjoy nature. In spring, cherry blossoms and wildflowers add color to the green hills, creating beautiful scenery for walking.
Summer brings lush vegetation and refreshing breezes, making the hills an enjoyable place for a leisurely walk. In autumn, the surrounding trees take on vivid colors, transforming the historic landscape into a striking seasonal scene.
Winter offers clear air and expansive views across the surrounding countryside and Lake Nakaumi. The changing scenery throughout the year makes the park a popular place for local residents as well as visitors interested in history.
Ancient Izumo Royal Burial Mounds Park provides a rare opportunity to experience the history of ancient Izumo through its archaeological remains and natural landscape.
The park contains different types of burial mounds, including large square burial mounds, keyhole-shaped burial mounds, and four-corner protruding burial mounds. Being able to see burial traditions from different periods in one area makes this group of archaeological sites particularly valuable for understanding the development of ancient Izumo.
From the top of the hills, visitors can look across the vast waters of Lake Nakaumi while imagining the people who lived and ruled here many centuries ago. The combination of ancient history, archaeological heritage, nature, and spectacular scenery makes this a distinctive destination in the Izumo region.
The park is approximately 15 minutes by car from Yasugi Interchange on the San’in Expressway. It is also easily accessible on foot, taking approximately 7 minutes from JR Arashima Station.
With its convenient access and combination of historic sites, walking trails, and scenic viewpoints, Ancient Izumo Royal Burial Mounds Park is an appealing destination for travelers who want to discover the ancient history and landscapes of Shimane.