A large square mound on the western edge of the Abe hills in Sakurai City, on the left bank of the Tera River. A Hachiman shrine stands atop the mound, which also served as a small fortress in medieval times. The megalithic chamber opens to the south.
Finds & research
Corridor-type chamber (~13.8m total, ~6m main chamber, megalithic granite). Tuff fragments (probably from a house-shaped sarcophagus) and Sue ware sherds recovered inside.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A square mound ~35m × 38m and ~8.2m high — the largest on the Abe hills — built around the late 6th to early 7th century. The megalithic corridor-type chamber (opening south; usually described as double-sided, with a single-sided theory) measures ~13.8m total with a ~6m main chamber. Tuff fragments found inside suggest a house-shaped sarcophagus once stood here. Its scale suggests a chieftain of the Abe clan.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Nara Prefectural Historic Site (designated 1958).
Field notes
About 20 min on foot from Sakurai Station, just south of Abe Monjuin. The chamber is open, but no official visiting arrangements are published — take care when viewing.