For the first time, I saw a keyhole-shaped tumulus that I learned about in Japanese history class.

I had some time before Toshodaiji Temple opened, so I went to see the nearby tomb of Emperor Suinin. About a 10-minute walk from Toshodaiji Temple, there is a pond in the middle of a field, and in the pond is a keyhole-shaped burial mound (mid-4th century). It is huge, measuring 227m in length, and is said to be called Horaizan (Horaisan) Kofun due to its beauty. I have learned about keyhole-shaped burial mounds in Japanese history classes, but this was my first time seeing one in person. I was looking at it from the side, so I couldn't see the whole picture, but I was looking at it while imagining the shape from above, wondering if this was the circle at the back and the square at the front, but then I thought, "Hmm?" There is an island next to the "front". I looked it up to see what it was, and found out it is the tomb of Tajimanomori, who mourned the death of the emperor and died following him. Name: Emperor Suinin's Tomb (Houraiyama Kofun) Address: Nishimachi, Amagatsuji, Nara City Access: 5 minutes from Kintetsu "Amagatsuji" Station #Nara#Keyhole-shaped tumulus#Kofun#Emperor Suinin's tomb#Toshodaiji Temple#Amagatsuji#Mount Horai#Spring 0 yen trip