Newly inscribed — July 2026
Asuka-Fujiwara World Heritage Kofun
Complete Guide to All 7 Tombs
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.
Official nameAncient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara
InscribedJuly 26, 2026 (48th World Heritage Committee, Busan)
Components19 in total (palaces, gardens, temple sites, kofun) — 7 are kofun
Criteria(ii)(iii) | Japan's 27th World Heritage site
The 7 Kofun Components
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.
★ WH componentIshibutai KofunSquare mound 51m | Early 7th c. | AsukaLikely tomb of Soga no Umako, with one of Japan's largest megalithic chambers. You can walk inside the stone chamber (paid admission).Details →
★ WH componentTakamatsuzuka KofunRound mound 23m | Late 7th c. | AsukaFamous for its National Treasure murals of Tang-dressed courtiers. Restored murals on display at the adjacent Mural Museum.Details →
★ WH componentKitora KofunRound mound 13.8m | Late 7th c. | AsukaFour Guardian murals and one of East Asia's oldest star charts, shown in rotation at the Shijin-no-Kan museum.Details →
★ WH componentNakaoyama KofunOctagonal mound ~20m | Early 8th c. | AsukaProbable true tomb of Emperor Monmu, from the dawn of cremation in Japan. Free access, a short walk from Takamatsuzuka.Details →
★ WH componentTenmu-Jito Mausoleum (Noguchi-no-o-no-haka)Octagonal mound 45m | Late 7th c. | AsukaThe only confirmed joint imperial burial in Japanese history. IHA-managed; exterior viewing only.Details →
★ WH componentShobuike KofunSquare mound 30m | Mid 7th c. | KashiharaTwo exquisitely carved house-shaped sarcophagi, visible through a protective grate. A "Soga twin tombs" candidate.Details →
★ WH componentKengyushizuka KofunOctagonal mound 30m | Late 7th c. | AsukaProbable tomb of Empress Saimei, restored with its striking white octagonal facing. Free access; Koshitsuka-Gomon Kofun adjoins it.Details →
💡 Common mix-up: Iwayama Kofun (2 min from Asuka Station, free chamber entry) and the "pyramid" Miyakozuka Kofun are not World Heritage components — but both are first-rate stops to combine with the seven (see the model course below).
Model Course by Rental Bicycle
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 gets crowded, quieter Kengyushizuka and Nakaoyama are superb alternatives.
Half-day course (western area, "Mural Kofun Walk") — 3–4 hours
Kintetsu Asuka Sta. → Iwayama Kofun (2–5 min walk, non-component, free chamber entry) → Kengyushizuka + Koshitsuka-Gomon → Takamatsuzuka + Mural Museum → Nakaoyama → Kitora (Shijin-no-Kan) → Tenmu-Jito Mausoleum → Asuka Sta.
Full-day course (all 7 components)
Half-day course above → Ishibutai (enter the chamber; cafes nearby) → Miyakozuka (non-component, "Japan's pyramid") → north past Amakashi Hill → Shobuike (Kashihara, near Okadera Sta.) → finish at Kintetsu Okadera Sta.
Bold = World Heritage components. Visiting all seven takes you on a full loop of Asuka.
🚲 Rental bicycles are available in front of Asuka Station (~¥1,000–1,500/day). Please respect farmland and local residents — see the
official Asuka tourism portal for visitor guidelines (EN/KO/ZH available).
An "Invisible Heritage" You Can Actually See
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.
Sources & Official Links