Takamatsuzuka Kofun: The Painted Tomb of Asuka
A quiet two-tiered mound whose 1972 mural discovery changed Japanese archaeology; the original paintings are conserved away from the tomb.
AI-generated visual study · not a documentary photographDiscover Takamatsuzuka Kofun: The Painted Tomb of Asuka
Takamatsuzuka Kofun is a modest grass-covered mound in the Hirata landscape of Asuka, but excavation in 1972 uncovered a richly painted burial chamber that became one of Japan's best-known archaeological discoveries. The circular mound is built in two tiers and measures about 23 metres across and five metres high. Its burial chamber and fragile paintings are not an indoor attraction: the chamber was removed for conservation, while the neighbouring Takamatsuzuka Mural Museum interprets the tomb with clearly identified copies, a model and replica grave goods. Visit the mound as a protected outdoor monument, then use the museum to understand what the landscape alone cannot show.
A small mound with an outsized discovery
Asuka Village records a two-tiered circular mound about 23 metres in diameter and roughly five metres high. On 21 March 1972, excavation revealed colour paintings inside the stone chamber and triggered a major public and scholarly response. The tomb is a Special Historic Site. Its likely occupant remains unidentified; an imperial prince connected with Emperor Tenmu is one proposal, not a confirmed name.
Separate the tomb from its paintings
The original chamber was removed in 2007 so that conservation specialists could treat the mural-bearing stones under controlled conditions; conservation work finished in 2020. The original paintings are not on permanent public display, and occasional openings take place at a separate conservation facility when officially announced. At the neighbouring Mural Museum, visitors instead see several kinds of labelled copy, a chamber model and replica grave goods. These are valuable interpretation, but they are not the original walls inside the mound.
Read the outdoor mound without climbing it
The mound's low, two-stage profile and its place on a gentle slope are the main things to notice on site. The surrounding park paths and open space help explain how the tomb sits within Asuka's cluster of late seventh- and early eighth-century burial places. Stay on signed public paths, do not climb the protected mound, and do not cross farmland or enter behind barriers. There is no visitor access to the burial chamber.
Plan the museum as a separate stop
The Mural Museum is beside the mound and has its own admission, published hours and closing days. It takes about 20 minutes for an unhurried visit according to its operator; the mound can be reached in roughly a minute on foot. If you want to see original paintings, check the separate conservation-facility opening calendar rather than expecting them at the mound or museum. The latest date-specific announcement is the authority for whether an original-mural viewing is available.
Check the current approach and parking
The government park estimates about 12 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Asuka Station, while the preservation foundation's spot listing gives about 15 minutes; allow a little extra time for the rural approach. A Nara Kotsu bus stops at Takamatsuzuka, but check the live timetable before relying on it. Asuka Tourism Association also lists a separate seasonal, advance-booked 4.4 km guided walk via Iwayayama, Kengoshizuka, Takamatsuzuka Kofun and Nakaoyama; it takes about three to three-and-a-half hours and costs ¥1,000 per person, with admission and transport extra, on selected dates through 20 December 2026. The Takamatsuzuka-area car park has been unavailable since 1 September 2026 during the nearby park hall renovation. Do not navigate to the map pin as though it were a car entrance.
What to look for
Two-tiered outdoor mound
A modest 23-metre tomb in a quiet part of Asuka's archaeological landscape.
The 1972 mural discovery
A pivotal find, interpreted nearby through copies and a chamber model.
Museum beside the tomb
Visit the separate Mural Museum to compare discovery-state and reconstructed copies.
Photo notes
No image is currently cleared for MyNara publication. Follow park and cultural-property signs, stay on paths and do not climb the mound. Obtain permission before using third-party images.
SEASONAL CALENDAR
Events connected with Takamatsuzuka Kofun: The Painted Tomb of Asuka
These records are shared with MyNara’s event calendar, so dates and notices have one source. Recurring patterns are not confirmed dated editions; check the organizer’s latest guidance.
Asuka Half Marathon 2027
The organizer confirms a 21.0975 km half marathon from 09:00 to 12:30 on March 14, 2027, with a first-come capacity of 3,000 runners. The general entry filled on October 9, 2026, well before its original December deadline; the organizer's notice thanks applicants but does not publish the final number of accepted runners. The course starts and finishes at Kitora Tumulus Shijin-no-Yakata and passes the Tenmu and Jitō tombs, Kawaradera, Tachibanadera, Ishibutai, the Inabuchi terraces and Takamatsuzuka-area roads. This is useful to spectators and anyone planning to visit these sites that day, not an invitation to enter. The start/finish is a 20-minute walk from Kintetsu Asuka Station; there is no participant parking, road restrictions begin near the venue at 08:00, and station-area congestion is expected. A free general-visitor shuttle runs from the venue back to Asuka Station from 10:00 to 14:00, but not before the race. Check the organizer's latest access and course notices before travelling.
- Time
- Race: 09:00–12:30; roads near the main venue restricted from 08:00
- Admission
- Runner entry was ¥6,000; the general entry reached its 3,000-person cap and closed October 9, 2026. No spectator admission fee is stated.
- Booking
- General runner entry is closed after reaching capacity. The organizer does not publish a spectator registration process; follow its visitor-access guidance and do not enter the course.
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.
- Asuka Village — Special Historic Site record and mound dimensions
- Asuka Village — excavation and conservation background
- Asuka Historical National Government Park — mound history, route and comparison with Kitora
- Asuka Historical National Government Park — current area access and parking suspension
- Asuka Preservation Foundation — mound/Mural Museum relationship and original-wall access policy
- Asuka Preservation Foundation — station route notice, 8 May 2026
- Asuka Tourism Association — current 2026 seasonal guided route via Takamatsuzuka Kofun
- OpenStreetMap — approximate archaeological-site geometry