Takamatsuzuka Kofun

& Mural Museum

A Window into Ancient Japan's Art and Astronomy

Takamatsuzuka Tumulus is an important burial mound in Asuka Village, Nara, dating to the late 7th or early 8th century. It is especially known for the painted stone chamber discovered in 1972, which revealed images of the Four Guardian Beasts, human figures, the sun and moon, and a star chart on the ceiling. These paintings are significant for understanding the funerary art, cosmological ideas, and continental cultural influences of the late Asuka period. Because the original chamber is preserved and not open for viewing, visitors learn about the site through the nearby Takamatsuzuka Mural Hall. The museum presents detailed reproductions of the murals and a model of the stone chamber, helping visitors understand both the structure of the tomb and the appearance of the paintings at the time of discovery. Together, the tumulus and the mural hall offer a clear introduction to one of Asuka’s most important archaeological and artistic sites.

Explore the Sights

See photos that bring Takamatsuzuka Kofun to life.

A grassy hillside with a wooden fence and neatly trimmed bushes, with trees on either side and a partly cloudy sky overhead.
Green grassy mound with trees and blue sky in the background.
Stone sign with Japanese characters in front of a building entrance, surrounded by small green bushes, with a wooden fence and signs inside the building visible behind.
Display of traditional Japanese clothing on mannequins inside a museum, with a backdrop of historical paintings and information signs.
Ancient mural painting displayed in a glass case at a museum, with informational plaques below.
Ancient mural painting depicting three groups of people in traditional attire, surrounded by a muted, weathered background. The mural is behind glass in a museum setting.
Ancient Chinese mural painting depicting four women dressed in traditional attire, with one playing a string instrument and the others standing around.
A wall with peeling paint and an illustration of a lizard in the center
Ancient mural of a dragon painted on a weathered wall.
Display of traditional Korean clothing on mannequins in a museum exhibit, with people viewing historic artifacts and murals in the background.