Garandoya Kofun

Overview

Garandoya Kofun is a burial mound of the Kofun period located in the Ishii neighborhood of Hita City, Ōita Prefecture. It is a set of decorated kofun, tombs whose stone chambers bear painted designs, and it preserves one example of the decorated-tomb culture widespread in Kyushu. Designated a National Historic Site of Japan on 13 October 1993, it is an essential stop for anyone tracing the history of the Hita basin.

Highlights

• ●A decorated kofun with patterns in its stone chamber
• ●Scholarly value recognized by 1993 national designation
• ●A Kofun-period burial mound in the Hita basin
• ●An example of Kyushu's decorated-tomb culture

History

Built during the Kofun period, Garandoya belongs to the tradition of decorated tombs whose stone chambers were adorned with patterns and color. Such decoration is thought to reflect the beliefs about life and death held by people of the time and is important for understanding Kyushu's tomb culture. In recognition of its scholarly value, it was designated a National Historic Site on 13 October 1993.

Map

33.3140, 130.9054 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1Visit the Garandoya Kofun historic site and view the mound
2. 2Learn about ancient beliefs through the decorated-tomb displays
3. 3Walk the historic landscape around Ishii, Hita
4. 4Extend the trip to the riverside townscape of Hita

Did you know?

💡 Known by the unusual name Garandoya, this tomb is defined above all by the designs on its stone chamber. Its 1993 designation as a National Historic Site testifies to the rich Kofun-period culture that took root in the land of Hita.

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