One of Kyoto City's largest keyhole mounds, open as a historic park since 1994. Excavation confirmed that there is no surrounding moat.
Finds & research
The 1988–89 excavations identified stone facing, cylindrical haniwa rows, and morning-glory-shaped haniwa. Details of the principal burial and grave goods are unknown.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
An 83m keyhole mound at Goryo Tsukanokoshi-cho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto. Its front is 33.5m wide and 4.8m high, and rear 50.5m across and 7.2m high. Built around the end of the 4th century, it has stone facing and haniwa rows but no surrounding moat.
Imperial Household Agency view
This is not an IHA mausoleum. Designated a National Historic Site on 8 March 1922, it became a component of the Otokuni Kofun Group in 2016. A tradition links it to Emperor Montoku, but this is not an archaeological identification.
Field notes
About a 20-minute walk west from Hankyu Katsura Station. There is no parking; observe park rules.