Ikaruga Cultural Properties Center

In short

Ikaruga Cultural Properties Center is a municipal facility that serves as a hub for research, investigation, and sharing information on the cultural properties of the town of Ikaruga, centered on learning about the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound. Its official name is the Ikaruga Town Cultural Properties Utilization Center, and it was established on March 20, 2010. It houses a permanent exhibition featuring 60 elaborate replicas of major artifacts among the National Treasure finds excavated from the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound.

• ​Gilt-bronze saddle fittings​​: View the patterns of saddle fittings, whose elegance is unparalleled worldwide, up close in low-height display cases.
• ​Learning through video​​: Learn about the history and culture of the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound and Ikaruga in the video hall.
• ​Spring and autumn exhibitions​​: Special exhibitions themed around Ikaruga, such as the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound and Prince Shotoku, are held twice a year.

History and Highlights

​Ikaruga Cultural Properties Center​ is a municipal facility located in 1-chome, Horyuji-nishi, Ikaruga Town. Its official name is the Ikaruga Town Cultural Properties Utilization Center. Established on March 20, 2010, it serves as a base for investigating, researching, and sharing information on the cultural assets of Ikaruga Town, with a primary focus on studying the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound. It is situated about 200 meters south of the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound.

The Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound is a circular burial mound (empun) built in the late 6th century. During the first excavation survey in 1985, a vermilion-painted house-shaped stone coffin and gilt-bronze horse trappings with decorations unparalleled anywhere in the world were discovered. The excavated artifacts are designated National Treasures, and some of the primary items are exhibited at the Museum, Archaeological Institute of Kashihara, Nara Prefecture in Kashihara City. At this center, visitors can learn about the burial mound through replicas of the main excavated items and video guidance. The video hall provides insights into the history and culture of the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound and Ikaruga.

Ikaruga Town is rich in history and culture, exemplified by Horyu-ji Temple and the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound. Excavation surveys north of JR Horyuji Station yielded Paleolithic stone tools, showing that the town's history stretches back to the Upper Paleolithic period. In addition to archaeological excavations of sites within the town, the center conducts research on Buddhist statues and other fine arts and crafts, as well as ancient documents.

Viewing and Experiencing Tips

• ​60 Replicas​​: The permanent exhibition focuses on 60 elaborate replicas of the major artifacts among the National Treasure finds from the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound.
• ​Saddle Fittings Up Close​​: The gilt-bronze saddle fittings, of an elegance unparalleled anywhere in the world, are housed in lowered display cases, allowing visitors to look into the intricate patterns from very close by.
• ​Spring and Autumn Exhibitions​​: Held twice a year in spring and autumn, these exhibitions feature themes connected to Ikaruga, such as the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound and Prince Shotoku.

Tips for Exploring

From JR Horyuji Station, take the Nara Kotsu bus bound for Horyuji Sando from bus stop No. 2 at the South Exit for about 8 minutes, get off at "Horyuji Sando," and walk west for about 7 minutes. From JR Oji Station, take a bus from the North Exit bus stop for about 9 minutes, get off at "Ikaruga Town Hall" (Ikaruga-cho Yakuba), and walk north for about 3 minutes. Walking from JR Horyuji Station takes about 25 minutes. Visiting the center to view the replicas and video before heading to the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound about 200 meters to the north will make it easier to understand the stone chamber and stone coffin seen at the mound. At the Fujinoki Kofun Burial Mound, visitors can normally view the actual stone chamber and stone coffin through the window glass of the door installed at the chamber entrance. Afterward, you can extend your visit to Horyu-ji Temple and Chugu-ji Temple to explore the historical village of Ikaruga.