Orders

Takamatsuzuka Tomb

Name: Takamatsuzuka Tomb
Address: 444 Hirata, Asuka, Takaichi District, Nara 634-0144, Japan
Rating: 4.1

4.1 (200)・Historical Landmark・Cemetery・Tourist Attraction・Historical Place・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Takamatsuzuka Tomb in Asuka is an ancient burial mound that captivates visitors with its mysterious origins and exquisite ancient art. Believed to have been constructed in the late 7th or early 8th century, this tomb is particularly famous for its vibrant frescoes, which are rare and valuable examples of Asuka period art.

The interior walls of Takamatsuzuka Tomb are adorned with colorful paintings that depict celestial figures, warriors, and court ladies, offering a fascinating glimpse into the fashions and beliefs of Japan’s ancient elite. These frescoes are significant because they blend Japanese elements with influences from the Korean Peninsula and China, illustrating the cultural exchanges that shaped early Japanese society.

The tomb itself is relatively small, a circular mound just about 16 meters in diameter, but its impact on Japanese historical and cultural studies has been profound. Because of the fragility of the frescoes, the actual tomb is sealed to protect it from damage, but detailed replicas and digital displays are available for visitors to view at a nearby museum.

Hours:

24/7

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Fees:

No Entrance fee

Hours

Monday: Open 24 hours

Tuesday: Open 24 hours

Wednesday: Open 24 hours

Thursday: Open 24 hours

Friday: Open 24 hours

Saturday: Open 24 hours

Sunday: Open 24 hours

Phone

+81 744-54-2441

Website

www.asukamura.jp

The area

Address

444 Hirata, Asuka, Takaichi District, Nara 634-0144, Japan

Top ways to experience Takamatsuzuka Tomb

8hrs

Full-Day Private Guided Tour to Asuka, ancient capital of Japan

From $208 /person

approx. 7-21 days

Ultimate JR Pass – Travel All of Japan Freely

From $193 /person

What other travelers are saying about Takamatsuzuka Tomb

One of my most favorite scenes at Asuka is always looking back from the top of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus. Noted on my wonder-tips site.

Keiko Kant

Mar 13, 2019

good

ICHI HACHI

May 28, 2022

MESSIAH IS COMING

조정래

Feb 16, 2018

It is a very famous tumulus that was built between the 7th and 8th centuries and appears in textbooks. It appears to have been robbed during the Kamakura period, but the colorful murals of court ladies and other figures painted on the plaster on the walls of the stone chamber remain intact and are said to have caused a sensation. The tumulus has been restored to its original appearance, and you can see replicas of artifacts and murals excavated from the Takamatsuzuka tumulus in the adjacent museum. This is a tumulus that every Japanese person has heard of, and it even appears in textbooks, so it's a historical site that you definitely want to visit when you come to Nara.

T K

Dec 4, 2024

The Takamatsuzuka Tumulus was said to be the great discovery of the century during the Showa era. Get off at Kintetsu Asuka Station, rent a bicycle in front of the station, walk along the gentle slope for 6 to 7 minutes, and you will arrive at Asuka National Historical Park. The park is quite large, and if you follow the arrow, you will see Takamatsuzuka Tumulus. The height of the burial mound is apparently 7 to 8 meters. Go around the tomb and go down to the Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum. The entrance fee is 300 yen, and when you enter the museum, you can see a mural that you may remember from your history textbooks when you were a child. Since the mural is a replica, it is possible to take pictures with a camera, except for a few parts. If you are driving, there is a free parking lot across the road from the historical park.