Nara, and the larger Kansai area is the birthplace of the nation of Japan over two thousand years ago, and is also home to a high concentration of earthen tombs, most of which date to the Kofun Period (ca. 300-710 C.E.). The Asuka Period was the following period, and because of the new influence of Buddhism and the associated use of cremation, the prevalence of large earthen tombs soon fell out of practice. The Isibutai Kofun in southern Nara Prefecture is one of the last earthen tombs believed to be constructed, and is presumed to be the tomb of Soga Umako, the head of the Soga clan, the surrogate ruler of the nation, and a fierce ally of Prince Shotoku in the mission to establish Buddhism as a state religion in Japan.

For visitors: 7.

It can be hard for people with little interest in really old rocks to enjoy a site like this, but if it is something that interests any potential visitors, I do recommend the visit. The stones are 75 tons, there are over 30 of them used to construct the structure, and for the longest time it was believed that the Ishibutai Kofun was originally used for outdoor performances until sarcophagi fragments were found in the 1930s. There is a small fee to enter the grounds, but you can go inside the tomb to experience just how large the interior actually is.