Ibaraki and Takatsuki: From Soji-ji Temple to Imashirozuka Kofun Burial Mound and Settsukyo

After visiting Soji-ji Temple in Ibaraki City, take the JR Kyoto Line and city bus to Imashirozuka Kofun Burial Mound and Takatsuki City Imashirozuka Ancient History Museum in Takatsuki City. The route concludes with a walk along the gorge in Settsukyo Park, upstream along the Akuta River.

History and Regional Appeal

In northeastern Osaka Prefecture, the cities of Ibaraki and Takatsuki share layers of ancient history. Imashirozuka Kofun Burial Mound in Takatsuki City is a keyhole-shaped burial mound built in the first half of the 6th century, and is considered one of the largest along the Yodo River basin. It is said to be the tomb of Emperor Keitai and is thought to be the true tomb of the Great King Keitai. Because it has not been designated as an imperial mausoleum by the Imperial Household Agency, excavations have continued, and it is now an archaeological park where visitors can walk on the burial mound itself. Several centuries later, in the Heian period during the second year of the Ninna era (886), Chunagon Fujiwara no Yamakage founded Soji-ji Temple in Ibaraki. As the 22nd temple of the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, it continues to draw many worshippers today. To the north in Takatsuki City, upstream along the Akuta River, lies the scenic gorge of Settsukyo, lined with unusual rock formations and cliffs and referred to as "Settsu Yabakei." Experience ancient temples, a royal tomb, and canyon scenery all in one day.

Key Highlights

• ​Soji-ji Temple​​: A temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, its founding legend is known as the "Gratitude of the Turtle." The hidden main image, the Thousand-Armed Kannon, is called the "Kannon Riding a Turtle." Fujiwara no Yamakage is also enshrined as the founder of hochodo, the way of the kitchen knife, and on the temple grounds stands a Hocho-zuka mound where disused kitchen knives are dedicated.
• ​Imashirozuka Kofun Burial Mound​​: A keyhole-shaped burial mound with a mound length of 181 meters and a total length of approximately 350 meters when including the double moats. At the haniwa ritual area, replicas of over 200 haniwa (terracotta figures) depicting houses, people, animals, and more stand in the exact positions where they were unearthed, recreating the king's haniwa ritual. It is regarded as the only great king's tomb where visitors can freely walk atop the mound.
• ​Takatsuki City Imashirozuka Ancient History Museum​​: Exhibits the actual haniwa unearthed from Imashirozuka Kofun Burial Mound, alongside reconstructed stone coffins and burial accessories. Full-scale dioramas explain the construction process of this giant burial mound, and a 1/100 scale model of the mound is also on display.
• ​Settsukyo Park​​: A scenic park spreading along the upper reaches of the Akuta River. Shirataki Falls, located at the northernmost point of the park, is 15 meters high and 5 meters wide, blending naturally with the surrounding forest. The Sakura Square on the south side features approximately 230 cherry trees, and autumn leaves can also be enjoyed in fall.

Suggested Route and Duration

The estimated time required is about 6 hours. Soji-ji Temple is about a 5-minute walk from either Hankyu Kyoto Line Sojiji Station or JR Kyoto Line JR-Sojiji Station. After paying your respects, return to JR-Sojiji Station and take the JR Kyoto Line to Settsu-Tonda Station. From bus stop No. 1 at JR Tonda Station, board the city bus bound for "Nasahara" and get off at "Imashirozuka Kofun-mae." The burial mound park and the museum are connected by a walkway, so you can start with either, but visiting the museum to see the authentic haniwa before walking on the mound makes the landscape much easier to understand. Please note that walking dogs is prohibited on the burial mound and in the inner moat. After your visit, walk east from the museum for about 10 minutes to the "Seifukuji" bus stop and take the city bus bound for "JR Takatsuki Station North." From JR Takatsuki Station North, city buses depart for Settsukyo. Take the bus bound for "Tsukawaki" from stop No. 2 and get off at "Tsukawaki"; the park is about a 10-minute walk away. If you have extra time and stamina, taking a bus bound for "Kaminokuchi" to the "Kaminokuchi" stop and walking down along the gorge is also recommended. This "Gorge Course" runs from Kaminokuchi through Settsukyo Ohashi Bridge, Shirataki Falls, and Sakura Square to the Tsukawaki bus stop, taking about 35 minutes from Kaminokuchi to Shirataki Falls. As it is a deep mountain area, please walk in a group.

Experience Summary

Pray at a Kannon pilgrimage site with an enduring legend of a grateful turtle, walk atop the great king's tomb lined with haniwa, and reflect on the grand rituals carried out by ancient people. Finally, follow the gorge lined with curious rock formations while listening to the clear stream of the Akuta River. This day-long journey in eastern Hokusetsu lets you experience both history and nature, from an urban ancient temple to a royal burial mound and mountain greenery.