The National Historic Site of the Hotoda Kofun Group
The Hotoda Kofun Group consists of large keyhole-shaped burial mounds built from the late 5th to the early 6th century. The site was designated a National Historic Site on September 3, 1985.
The burial mounds are believed to have been constructed for powerful local leaders who ruled the region around the foothills of Mount Haruna. Three major kofun were built over a period of approximately 30 years: Ide Futagoyama Kofun, Hotoda Hachimanzuka Kofun, and Hotoda Yakushizuka Kofun.
Hachimanzuka Kofun – A Reconstruction of an Ancient Burial Mound
Among the three, Hachimanzuka Kofun is particularly impressive. Based on archaeological excavations, the burial mound has been reconstructed to recreate its appearance approximately 1,500 years ago.
The keyhole-shaped mound measures approximately 102 meters in total length and is surrounded by two concentric moats. Its slopes are covered with reconstructed stones, while rows of cylindrical haniwa figures have been placed around the mound to reproduce the appearance of the ancient site.
One of the most fascinating features is the reconstructed group of figurative haniwa depicting people and animals along part of the inner embankment. The figures include warriors, female ritual specialists, and falconers, as well as horses, chickens, boars, waterfowl, and other animals.
These haniwa provide valuable clues about the rituals, beliefs, and society of the Kofun period. Particularly noteworthy is a cormorant-shaped haniwa holding a fish in its beak. It has attracted attention as evidence suggesting that cormorant fishing may already have had a ceremonial role during the Kofun period.
At the rear circular section of the mound, a domed structure houses a reconstructed burial chamber with a boat-shaped stone sarcophagus. Visitors can see the actual stone coffin, which was made from volcanic tuff and features traces of red coloring inside. It offers a glimpse into the burial customs and beliefs of ancient Japan.
Kamitsukeno-sato Museum – Discovering Ancient Culture
The Kamitsukeno-sato Museum introduces the ancient culture that flourished around the foothills of Mount Haruna and explains the history of the Hotoda Kofun Group through nine exhibition sections.
Models, archaeological artifacts, and audiovisual materials help visitors understand various aspects of life during the Kofun period, including everyday life, religious practices, technology, and burial customs.
The museum also features special and temporary exhibition galleries where exhibitions on different archaeological and cultural themes are presented. It provides an accessible way to learn more about the ancient history of the Takasaki region.
Gunma Prefectural Tsuchiya Bunmei Memorial Literature Museum
The park is also home to the Gunma Prefectural Tsuchiya Bunmei Memorial Literature Museum, which celebrates the achievements of Tsuchiya Bunmei, a tanka poet from Takasaki who was awarded the Order of Culture for his contributions to Japanese culture.
The permanent exhibition, titled “Tsuchiya Bunmei – His Works and Life,” introduces his life and literary career through representative works, handwritten materials, and other documents.
One of the museum’s highlights is a recreation of Tsuchiya Bunmei’s study from his former home in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo. The reconstructed room provides a sense of the environment in which he worked and wrote.
Other exhibits introduce the world of Japanese tanka poetry from the Manyō period to the modern era, while an audiovisual exhibition room offers additional ways to explore Japanese literature and culture.
For international visitors interested in Japanese poetry and literary history, the museum offers a quiet opportunity to encounter a different aspect of Japan’s cultural heritage.
Hands-On Experiences and Relaxing Park Spaces
At the park’s Haniwa Workshop, visitors can take part in hands-on activities to create cylindrical haniwa figures similar to those displayed around Hachimanzuka Kofun.
Making a haniwa with your own hands provides a fun way to experience ancient Japanese culture while learning about the techniques and traditions associated with these distinctive clay figures.
The park also has a rest facility that can accommodate approximately 150 people, making it convenient for groups and visitors taking a break during their walk.
Open lawns and walking paths provide plenty of space for relaxing outdoors. Visitors can enjoy the changing scenery of the seasons while walking through the historic landscape, with views toward the surrounding foothills of Mount Haruna.
Access
From Takasaki Station: Take a Gunma Bus bound for Shinto Village Hall and get off at Akibamae. The park is approximately a five-minute walk from the bus stop.
From Maebashi Station: Take a Kan-etsu Kotsu bus bound for the Gunma Prefectural Tsuchiya Bunmei Memorial Literature Museum and get off at Kamitsukeno-sato Museum.
From Takasaki Station: Take the Gururin city loop bus and get off at Ide-cho Nishi. The park is approximately a 10-minute walk from the bus stop.
From Gunma Branch Office: Take the Gururin Kamitsuke Line and get off at the Kamitsukeno-sato Museum-mae stop.
A Cultural Destination Connecting Ancient Japan and Literature
Kamitsukeno Haniwa-no-Sato Park is a distinctive cultural destination where the history of ancient Japan and the world of modern Japanese literature can be experienced side by side.
The impressive reconstructed kofun, expressive haniwa figures, archaeological exhibits, and literary collections create a fascinating journey through different periods of Japanese history and culture.
The park is an excellent place for visitors who want to learn about Japan’s ancient past, discover traditional haniwa culture, or simply enjoy a peaceful walk surrounded by nature.
With Mount Haruna rising in the distance, take a leisurely stroll through this historic landscape and imagine the people, beliefs, and culture that flourished here more than a thousand years ago.