★ World HeritageNara Pref.Octagonal moundIHA imperial tomb
Noguchi-no-o-no-haka Kofun
Also known as: Hinokuma-no-ouchi-no-Misasagi
Location
Nara Pref.
Shape
Octagonal mound
Mound length
45 m
Period
Late 7th c.
World Heritage
Asuka-Fujiwara (UNESCO, inscribed 2026)
IHA designation
IHA-managed (no public entry)
Overview
Octagonal mound (~45m diagonal) in Asuka Village, the joint mausoleum of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jito. The only confirmed joint imperial burial in Japanese history. Tenmu won the Jinshin War (672) and became one of Japan's most powerful emperors; Jito (his consort) was the first Japanese emperor to be cremated. The octagonal tomb form reflects the highest level of 7th-century imperial funerary culture. Managed by the IHA; exterior viewing only. Inscribed in July 2026 as a component of the UNESCO World Heritage site "Ancient Capitals of Asuka and Fujiwara."
Finds & research
A 1235 grave robbery account ("Afukinoyamaryo-ki") describes the chamber interior, including what appears to have been a gilt-bronze bone container (presumably holding Empress Jito's cremated remains). No formal excavation has been conducted.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
Octagonal mound (八角墳), ~45–48m diagonal. Late 7th–early 8th century. The octagonal form was the highest-ranking imperial funerary style. Emperor Tenmu died in 686 and work began on the mound; Empress Jito (r. 686–697), who was also Japan's first emperor to be cremated, had her ashes interred in Tenmu's chamber — the only confirmed joint imperial burial in Japanese history. A grave robbery in 1235 is documented in a contemporary account ("Afukinoyamaryo-ki") that describes the chamber interior and its contents.
Imperial Household Agency view
Officially designated "Hinokuma-no-ouchi-no-Misasagi" by the IHA Shoryobu bureau, attributed to Emperor Tenmu (40th sovereign) and Empress Jito (41st sovereign) as a joint mausoleum. Public access prohibited; exterior viewing only. [Shape controversy] The IHA officially classifies the mound form as "enkyu" (circular mound), but archaeological assessment identifies it as an octagonal mound (八角墳) in the same tradition as Goboyano Kofun (Emperor Tenji, id:405) and Kengyushizuka (id:266). This map uses the archaeological classification.[IHA Visiting Info] Address: 奈良県高市郡明日香村大字野口 / Access: 近鉄 飛鳥駅から徒歩約17分 / Hours: 原則、8時30分～17時 (open year-round in principle). Stamp storage: 畝傍陵墓監区事務所.
Field notes
Emperor Tenmu defeated Prince Otomo in the Jinshin War of 672 to claim the throne. He is credited with establishing "Nihon" (Japan) as the country's name and "Tenno" (Emperor) as the imperial title. Empress Jito built Fujiwara-kyo, Japan's first permanent capital, and laid groundwork for the Taiho Code. Together they represent the pivotal couple of Japan's ancient state formation. About 10 min by bicycle from Kintetsu Asuka Station.