A tomb cluster at the foot of the hills in Mino, Himeji. Notable examples are the twin-chambered No. 6 and No. 10, known as the “Ishibutai of Himeji”; some mounds and chambers have collapsed or been buried.
Finds & research
No. 6 yielded earrings, beads, iron arrowheads and Sue ware from its two chambers; the eastern chamber also produced three iron swords and horse gear (an iron bit). A Sue-ware cup from its eastern chamber bears a small mammal footprint that Himeji City considers likely feline. The chamber of No. 10 is about 11m long.
Official status & archaeological view
Official status
Ten mounds (Nos. 1–4, 6, 8–10, 12 and 13) became Himeji City Historic Sites in 2006; four of these (Nos. 3, 4, 6 and 10) became Hyogo Prefecture Historic Sites on 12 March 2019. Current city lists show four prefectural and six municipal mounds. Finds from No. 6 were designated a Himeji City Important Tangible Cultural Property on 23 March 2026.
Archaeological view
A late-to-terminal cluster of chambered tombs on the eastern foot of Mount Aso around Mino Wako Park. A Himeji City area guide reports 20 confirmed mounds, whereas the city’s designation report and the Agency for Cultural Affairs record 16 mounds with horizontal stone chambers; the published counts differ. No. 6 has two chambers in one mound, and No. 10 exposes a megalithic chamber about 11m long.
Field notes
Chamber access varies. Himeji City has installed barriers against climbing onto the mounds and is taking emergency measures to prevent damage to No. 10; follow signs and restrictions on site. Finds from No. 6 are held at the nearby Himeji Archaeology Center (just north of Miyayama Kofun)↗.