The is an archaeological site with a cluster of burial mounds from the Kofun period located in what is now part of the city of Kakegawa, Shizuoka in the Tōkai region of Japan. The site was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1996.

Overview The Wadaoka Kofun group is located in an area measuring approximately 2.5 kilometers north-south by one kilometer east-west, on a low plateau overlooking the Haranoya River west of the downtown area of modern Kakegawa city. The site consists of four keyhole-shaped kofun (), 15 (), and four (), all dating from the 5th century to the sixth century AD. The largest include:

+ Wadaoka Kofun group Name Type Length Wakanezuka Kofun各和金塚古墳 keyhole 66.4 meters Anterior: 20.5 m wide x 4 m high: Posterior 51.2 m diameter x 6.5 m high Hisagozuka Kofun瓢塚古墳 keyhole 63 meters longAnterior: 25.2 m wide x 3.5 m high: Posterior 37.8 m diameter x 3.5 m high Yoshioka-Otsuka Kofun 吉岡大塚古墳 keyhole 55 meters long Anterior: 27.5 m wide x 2.5 m high: Posterior 41.3 m diameter x 7.2 m high Gyojinzuka Kofun行人塚古墳 keyhole 43.7 meters long Anterior: 16 m wide: Posterior 25.4 m diameter Harubayashiin Kofun春林院古墳 circular 35 meters, height 5 meters Usa-Hachiman-sha Kofun circular 30 meter diameter Gongenyama Kofun circular 40 meter diameter Ishinogata Kofun circular 25 meter diameter

These tumuli are believed to be the tombs of local kings who ruled the Haranodani River basin. The Wakanezuka Kofun is considered the oldest, but its pit-type burial chamber was robbed in 1974 before a proper archaeological excavation could be made. Many of the tumuli were once covered in fukiishi and had haniwa clay figurines, and the Yoshioka-Otsuka Kofun has traces of a moat remaining. Grave goods recovered from the tombs included, large numbers of iron weapons, fragments of armor, pottery shards and shinju-kyo bronze mirrors.

The necropolis is located approximately 15 minutes on foot from the Tenryu Hamanako Line's Hosoya Station. There are plans to make an archaeological park in the area.

See also List of Historic Sites of Japan (Shizuoka)

References

External links Kakegawa home page