Zenichida Burial Mounds
| Location | City of Onojo |
|---|---|
| Designation | Prefectual-Designated Historic Site |
| Emblem |  |
This is a group of ancient burial mounds constructed over the course of 100 years from the latter half of the 6th century to the latter half of the 7th century. Silla pottery and Sue-ware engraved with this Chinese character “Na” for “Nara” have been excavated, suggesting the exchange of a wide range of advanced cultures and relics, including the use of Chinese characters.
Silla pottery has been excavated from the surrounding burial mounds as well, meaning that the international “Western Capital” was built on the foundation of the previous generation’s thriving foreign exchange.
Tombs That Tell The History of Production and Exchange
A group of about 30 burial mounds for pioneers who moved into the foothills between Mount Shioji and Mount Otogana as well as their descendants. The most salient feature is its wealth of artifacts related to metalware production and diplomacy. Mound No. 18, the first one built, is an enormous circular mound 25 meters in diameter, with a horizontal stone burial chamber 3.5 meters high. Grave goods such as horse tack, weaponry, and blacksmithing tools have been discovered, and this burial mound is thought to be for a leader who lead groups around the Mount Otogana foothills. The Yakushinomori site, though to be a settlement where the people buried once lived, was once home to migrants who produced metalware and Sue-ware pottery. During the time, the people of this land were under the protection of Ono-jo Fortress, and were likely involved in its construction.
Onojo City Characters/Ono Joe
The site is maintained as Zenichida Burial Mound Park, a space where everyone can experience this historic site. Burial Mound No. 18 not only offers views of the burial mounds sprawling below, but of the Fukuoka Plains area and the Sefuri Mountains, meaning you can take in the same scenery as the people of the Kofun period. Standing here lets you feel the breath of those who lived through turbulent times.
Access Information
Address
816-0901 1-29 Otoganahigashi, Onojo, Fukuoka
By Train
About 50 min on foot from JR Minami-Fukuoka Station
By Car
About 10 min from the Dazaifu IC on the Kyushu Expressway
About the Western Capital
The “Western Capital”, created in Tsukushi 1300 years ago. Cultural assets speaking to the magnificence of this city of international exchange that flourished in East Asia are scattered across the cities of Chikushino, Kasuga, Onojo, Dazaifu, Nakagawa, and Umi in Fukuoka Prefecture as well as the town of Kiyama in Saga Prefecture.