Nagareyama Kofun: Compare an Ancient Mound with Its Reconstructed Form
Climb a nationally designated fifth-century tomb where one side shows reconstructed stone facing and haniwa rows while the other remains green.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Nagareyama Kofun: Compare an Ancient Mound with Its Reconstructed Form
Nagareyama is a 105-metre keyhole-shaped mound built in the early fifth century and now part of Umami Hillside Park. Its restoration deliberately presents two readings of the same monument: one side reconstructs the mound's ancient appearance, while the other keeps a more natural, vegetated profile. Visitors can compare form and conservation choices, then climb to the rear mound's summit, one of the park's highest points, for a broad view over the Nara Basin. Excavation found a rare passage-like feature near the eastern waist, marked by two lines of haniwa; the prefecture describes it as a nationally unique example at present. The identity of the buried person is unknown, and a proposed connection to the 葛城氏 remains a theory rather than a proven identification.
Read the keyhole shape from the ground
The mound faces south and measures 105 m long, with a 64 m rear mound and a 70 m wide front. The rear mound rises about 8.5 m and the front about 6.2 m, so the rounded rear mass stands higher than the squared front. From the path, first look at the silhouette, then compare the two sides: the east side has reconstructed stone facing and rows of haniwa, while the other side remains closer to a vegetated mound. This contrast makes the scale and design legible without needing to enter an excavation.
Notice the passage-like haniwa feature
The prefectural heritage record describes a passage-like feature at the eastern waist, set apart by two rows of haniwa, and says no parallel example is known at present. This interpretation comes from archaeological research; the visible reconstruction is a visitor-facing model, not a surviving intact corridor. Finds included cylindrical and house-shaped haniwa, other clay objects, stone objects, iron tools and pottery. The reconstructed haniwa are replicas: Kawai Town's restoration leaflet records 494 made from fibre-reinforced plastic and 181 handmade by local residents from clay. That detail helps separate the educational reconstruction from original excavated objects.
Climb for a view and a conservation story
The official Nara tourism guide says the mound is restored to evoke its form around 1,600 years ago and that visitors may climb to the top. The prefectural cultural-resource page calls the rear mound summit the highest point in the park and notes the view over the basin. Its conservation history also matters: local efforts opposed damage from soil extraction, after which the mound was preserved as a National Historic Site. The town's restoration account explains that the damaged area was rebuilt with protective soil and that stone facing was reconstructed from archaeological evidence. Stay on the maintained route and follow any temporary closures.
Reach it through the central park
Nagareyama lies inside the 56.2-hectare Umami Hillside Park, not beside a station entrance. Kintetsu Gojōdo Station connects by bus to the central park stop; Kintetsu Ikebe Station is about two minutes on foot from the northern greenway entrance, followed by a longer walk within the grounds to Nagareyama. Use the official park map to choose an entrance and estimate the internal walk. The separate park museum can explain the tomb cluster before or after the mound visit.
Keep the mound protected
The park is free to enter and has no regular weekly closure, but weather or maintenance can temporarily restrict access. Do not step onto unmarked slopes, touch reconstructed haniwa or remove soil or plants. Commercial filming and event activity require prior permission through the prefectural park office. Images supplied by the prefecture, Kawai Town or the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara remain separately copyrighted; MyNara has no reuse permission.
What to look for
105 m national historic keyhole mound from the early fifth century
A deliberate side-by-side contrast between reconstructed and vegetated surfaces
A visitor route reaches the summit, with views across the Nara Basin
Photo notes
Photograph from marked visitor paths only. Do not climb reconstructed surfaces outside the designated route or touch haniwa replicas. Prior permission is required for business filming and events; cited agency images are not licensed for MyNara reuse.
Make a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 24 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.
- Nara Prefecture — dimensions, date, designation, archaeological findings and conservation history
- Nara Prefecture — visitor route, reconstructed surfaces and summit access
- Nara Prefecture official tourism guide — park areas, museum and summit access
- Kawai Town — restoration method, replica haniwa and station approach map
- Nara Prefecture — current park access, admission, closures, parking, rules and accessibility
- Nara Prefecture — seasonal parking-gate times, capacity and permitted-use rules