Kisaichi Maruyama Tomb

Three-tiered round burial mound from the mid-fifth century, 70 meters in diameter and among the largest of its type in Japan. It was rediscovered in 1987 during expressway construction and subsequently excavated and restored. The mound is covered with about 60,000 stones and lined with 1,000 replica cylindrical haniwa on its three tiers. Excavations recovered armor, swords, mirrors, beads, and gold in the buckles of arrow cases. Researchers believe two powerful rulers engaged in inter-regional trade are buried here, though the exact relationship between them remains unclear. Artifacts are at the Ayabe City Museum.