A square-fronted, square-backed mound on the summit of Ojiyama, an isolated hill rising about 80m at Nishikori, Otsu. Otsu City considers that the careful decoration of its east side shows awareness of how the mound looked from the direction of Lake Biwa. It is maintained as a kofun park, and visitors can climb to its summit.
Finds & research
Stone facing, five burial locations, and pottery used to date the mound are documented. A clay-covered burial lies in the front section.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
National Historic Site (designated 1974).
Archaeological view
Kofun No. 1 is a square-fronted, square-backed mound about 60m long, with a rear width of about 35m. Otsu City dates it to the late 4th century from pottery. Stone facing covers the slopes and is especially careful on the Lake Biwa side. Excavation in 1970 identified five burial locations; the Agency for Cultural Affairs describes a rear cut thought to hold the main burial and a clay-covered burial in the front. Nearby round mound No. 2, about 20m across, is also included in the national designation.
Field notes
About 10 minutes on foot from Keihan Omi-Jingu-mae Station. The mound is maintained as a kofun park and its summit is accessible.