Shimbaru-Nuyama Mounded Tomb Group

Associated with the "Sacred Island" of Munakata・Okinoshima which was registered as a World Heritage Site in July, 2017. Through the intense exchanges between Japan and the Korean Peninsula/China, the ancient noble family, Munakata, developed a faith of "Three Female Deities" from their belief in the gods that dwell on Okinoshima.The tomb that Mr. Munakata built was the "Shimbaru-Nuyama Mounded Tomb Group".

From the fifth to sixth centuries, on a plateau of 800m from east to west that faces the inlet and overlooking the sea leading to Okinoshima island, a total of 41 mounds exist, including 5 keyhole-shaped tombs with round rear mounds, 35 round burial mounds, and 1 rectangular burial mound. It is very rare that ancient tombs of various shapes and sizes are built over such a long period of time.In addition, in the center of the plateau, there are keyhole-shaped tombs and large burial mounds, which are said to be the tombs of influential people with strong ties to the Yamato royal power, and small and medium-sized burial mounds around them.These show that Munakata was a noble family, who had sailed overseas and performed rituals on Okinoshima under royal authority.

Like the keyhole-shaped tombs, the shape of the ancient tombs and the groove around the tombs are well preserved, so you can enjoy the tombs by walking around them. There is also an observatory, and you can get a 5-minute guide from the volunteers on weekends and on holidays.