A rare pairing in Tondabayashi where temple and tomb share the very same tiles — the moment Buddhist building and the kofun tradition crossed paths.
Finds & research
Monolithic house-shaped sarcophagus (six bosses); temple-mold roof tiles and Sue sherds.
Two views on the occupant
Archaeological view
A ~21m square mound of the early 7th century. Its house-shaped tuff sarcophagus — six bosses giving it a turtle-like look and its name — sits within a chamber uniquely packed around with roof tiles from the same molds as the adjacent Shindo temple: likely the tomb of the temple-founding clan.
Imperial Household Agency view
Not designated by the IHA. Nationally designated as an appendage of the Shindo Temple Site (2002).
Field notes
About 15 min from Tondabayashi Station; the long-exposed sarcophagus is viewable from outside.