Kasugayama Kofun Group

Overview

The Kasugayama Kofun Group lies on a wooded hillside in the Manotaniguchi district of Otsu, Shiga, along the western shore of Lake Biwa. These ancient burial mounds are believed to hold the local leaders who once governed the Mano area. Part of the cluster was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1974. There are no flashy facilities here; instead, visitors can wander among the green mounds and imagine life on the lakeshore in ages past.

Highlights

• ●Several burial mounds set among the greenery
• ●National Historic Site status granted in 1974
• ●An ancient cemetery of the Mano district by Lake Biwa
• ●A quiet, un-touristy walking environment

History

The mounds are thought to date from the Kofun period into the early Nara period, when the western shore of Lake Biwa served as a corridor linking the Kinai heartland with the northern coast. The tombs at Mano speak to the power of a clan rooted in this district. A portion of the cluster was designated a National Historic Site on 23 December 1974, sparing it from development. For details on the buried figures and precise dating, please check official sources.

Map

35.1208, 135.9075 · Wikidata

Suggested itinerary

1. 1From the nearest Kosei Line station, head toward Mano
2. 2Follow the signs to view the mound cluster
3. 3Enjoy the outlook toward Lake Biwa from the hills
4. 4Return to central Otsu for a rest by the lake

Did you know?

💡 The name Kasugayama comes from the surrounding place names. A hilltop burial ground overlooking Lake Biwa evokes the history of people who lived by the water. Though a National Historic Site, it draws few visitors and remains a quiet spot for lovers of ancient romance.

Nearby spots