Located in the historic heart of Asuka Village, the Kengoshizuka Mounded Tomb is a uniquely shaped octagonal burial mound dating back to the mid-7th century. This rare form, combined with its scale and sophisticated stone chamber, strongly suggests imperial status—leading many scholars to identify it as the possible final resting place of Empress Saimei, one of Japan’s earliest female sovereigns. The tomb's layout and construction style reflect a transitional era when imperial power was becoming centralized and Buddhist architectural influences were emerging. For travelers interested in ancient Japanese royalty and hidden archaeological wonders, Kengoshizuka offers a tangible link to a transformative moment in Japan’s early statehood.