A historic site that preserves precious murals, conveying the romance of ancient times, including some of the world's oldest astronomical charts and vibrant images of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Historic Sites
World Heritage
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Highlights
See one of the world's oldest astronomical charts.
See vibrant murals of the Four Heavenly Kings up close.
Unique murals, including zoomorphic depictions of the twelve zodiac animals.
Catch a glimpse into the culture and ideology of the Asuka period.
A historically significant site registered as a World Heritage site.
About a 12-minute walk from Kitora Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line, about a 22-minute walk from Asuka Station on the Kintetsu Yoshino Line, or a short walk from the "Kitora" bus stop. Show route
Op.Hours
Open 24 hours a day
Cld.Days
Open all year round
Fee
Free
INFO
The stone chamber of Kitora Kofun is currently not open to the public for preservation purposes. The murals are exhibited at the "Kitora Kofun Wall Paintings Experience Hall, Shijin no Yakata (Hall of the Four Gods)".
Kitara Kofun is a circular burial mound in Asuka Village, Nara Prefecture, built in the late 7th to early 8th centuries. Along with Takamatsuzuka Kofun, it's renowned as one of Japan's most famous kofun with murals. The stone chamber of Kitara Kofun contains precious murals painted in vivid colors, depicting the Four Heavenly Kings (Shijin), the twelve zodiac animals (Jūnishi), and one of Japan's oldest astronomical charts. These murals not only demonstrate the high cultural level of the time but also serve as crucial evidence of the deep exchange with the Asian continent. The astronomical chart on the ceiling, based on Chinese star charts, particularly shows the ancient people's observation and understanding of the cosmos. The Four Heavenly Kings are based on the Yin and Yang Five Elements theory of ancient Chinese thought, revealing how people viewed the universe and nature at that time. The zoomorphic depictions of the twelve zodiac animals, unique in their combination of animal heads and human bodies, perfectly represent the artistic style of the period. Kitara Kofun is not just an archaeological site; it's a hugely significant historic site for understanding the culture, ideology, and lifestyle of the time. These murals are a precious legacy conveying the worldview of ancient people and the depth of the culture they built to the modern world. Visiting Kitara Kofun allows you to directly experience the profound history and culture of ancient Japan.
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