On July 26, 2026, the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee (Busan) inscribed the Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara (Asuka Village, Kashihara and Sakurai, Nara Prefecture) on the UNESCO World Heritage List — Japan's 27th World Heritage site. Of its 19 components, 7 are kofun burial mounds. This map covers all seven, with both the Imperial Household Agency and archaeological views, fully sourced.
Which burial mounds are actually part of the World Heritage site? These seven. Each card links to a detail page with finds, occupant debates and sources.
A Special Historic Site whose huge chamber is exposed after loss of the mound fill. The occupant is unknown, though an attribution to Soga no Umako is well known.
Visiting: Current guidance gives hours of 9:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:45, year-round. Check Asuka Historical National Government Park for current fees and changes.
A terminal-period tomb whose polychrome murals were discovered in 1972. The painted stones were removed with the dismantled chamber in 2007, conserved through fiscal 2019, and remain under Agency for Cultural Affairs management. The mound interior is closed; copies and a chamber model can be viewed at the Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall.
Visiting: The Takamatsuzuka area of Asuka Historical National Government Park is within walking distance of Kintetsu Asuka Station. Check current Agency for Cultural Affairs guidance for original-mural viewing periods and reservations.
A decorated tomb whose Black Tortoise mural was identified in 1983. The painted stones were removed for conservation, while the mound and chamber were reconstructed. Original murals are shown only during limited, advance-registration periods.
Visiting: Admission to the Center for Preservation of Kitora Tumulus Mural Paintings is free. Check current official guidance for original-mural viewing dates and applications.
Nakaozuka
A terminal-period octagonal tomb at Hirata, Asuka. Known for its finely built chamber, it is included in the World Heritage property “Asuka-Fujiwara.”
Visiting: Visit in accordance with site protections and posted guidance. World Heritage status was checked against UNESCO's current list.
Hinokuma-no-ouchi-no-Misasagi
Managed as the joint mausoleum of Emperors Tenmu and Jito and inscribed as a World Heritage component in 2026. The IHA Shoryobu reports about 37m across opposite sides.
Visiting: The IHA states that the worship area is about a 17-minute walk from Kintetsu Asuka Station. The mausoleum precinct is closed.
A terminal-period tomb in Gojono-cho, Kashihara, noted for two house-shaped sarcophagi and included in the World Heritage property “Asuka-Fujiwara.”
Visiting: Visit in accordance with the protected-site boundaries and posted guidance.
Asagaozuka
A terminal-period octagonal mound with a two-room side-entry chamber. The adjacent Koshitsukamikado Kofun and its relationship to written accounts support an imperial-family hypothesis. It became a World Heritage component in 2026.
Visiting: The reconstructed mound and adjacent Koshitsukamikado Kofun are open. Check current Asuka Village guidance for fees, hours, and chamber-viewing conditions.
A National Historic Site known for its finely dressed horizontal chamber. The mound is about 40m per side according to the 1978 Kashihara Archaeological Research Institute excavation (other estimates suggest about 45m).
Visiting: Chamber access may change; check current Asuka Village guidance and on-site signs before entering.
A square mound known for its stepped stonework. Asuka Village's research has confirmed five stone-faced steps, and it has been proposed as the tomb of Soga no Iname.
Visiting: Follow current Asuka Village guidance for access and visitor routes. The mound lies south of Ishibutai Kofun.
The classic way to explore Asuka is by rental bicycle from Kintetsu Asuka Station (electric bikes available). All 7 kofun components fit comfortably into one day. If Ishibutai Kofun gets crowded, quieter Kengoshizuka Kofun and Nakaoyama Kofun are superb alternatives.
Much of Asuka-Fujiwara consists of archaeological remains preserved underground — a challenge officials openly acknowledge. The kofun are the exception: the mounds and stone chambers stand right in front of you, and some you can even walk into. Each detail page on this map explains what was found at the site and what you can see there today, with sources.
On this map you can also use the free Kofun Book (visit log) to record your visits and complete all 7 World Heritage kofun of Asuka-Fujiwara.