Osaka Prefectural Chikatsu Asuka Museum

In short

A museum in Kanan Town dedicated to the cultural heritage from the Kofun period to the Asuka period, which opened in 1994. Its theme is "Exploring the formation process of the ancient Japanese state and international exchange." In contrast to Asuka in Nara, called "Totsu Asuka" (far Asuka), the area at the western foot of Mount Nijo is called "Chikatsu Asuka" (near Asuka), where an advanced culture brought by continental immigrants flourished in ancient times. The building was designed by Ando Tadao, and the museum also serves as a site museum for the adjacent Ichisuka Tumulus Cluster, a National Historic Site.

• ​Large Model of Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun​​: In the center of the museum, there is a 1:150 scale model reconstructing the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun as it looked when first built. Approximately 3,000 small figurines are placed around it, depicting scenes of daily life during the mound's construction
• ​Exhibits Evoking Descent into a Tomb​​: The exhibition room is shaped like a keyhole-shaped burial mound, and in addition to swords, blades, earrings, and other items excavated from the Ichisuka Tumulus Cluster, the exhibits include the "shura," a sled used for transporting huge stones and stone coffins
• ​Stepped Roof and Fudoki-no-Oka​​: From the roof, which forms an expansive stepped terrace, you can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding plum groves and cherry trees. The adjacent Chikatsu Asuka Fudoki-no-Oka contains 102 tumuli, and visitors can enter the horizontal stone chambers of 40 of them

History and Highlights

​Osaka Prefectural Chikatsu Asuka Museum​​, located in Kanan Town, is a museum dedicated to the cultural heritage from the Kofun period to the Asuka period. Because Osaka is home to many of Japan's representative historic sites, including Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, Japan's largest keyhole-shaped burial mound, the museum's theme is "Exploring the formation process of the ancient Japanese state and international exchange." In contrast to Asuka in Nara, which is called "Totsu Asuka" (far Asuka), the area at the western foot of Mount Nijo is called "Chikatsu Asuka" (near Asuka), where an advanced culture brought by continental immigrants flourished in ancient times.

The museum opened in 1994. The building was designed by Ando Tadao, and the structure itself rises in stepped tiers to create a sense of unity with the surrounding burial mounds. Adjacent to the museum lies "Chikatsu Asuka Fudoki-no-Oka," which preserves the Ichisuka Tumulus Cluster (a National Historic Site), and the museum also serves as a site museum for this tumulus cluster.

Viewing and Experience Highlights

• ​Large Model of Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun​​: In the center of the museum, there is a 1:150 scale model reconstructing the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun in Sakai City as it looked when first built. Three moats surround the burial mound, and approximately 3,000 small figurines are placed around it. It depicts scenes of daily life during the mound's construction, such as craftspeople firing haniwa terra-cotta figures and blacksmiths forging iron.
• ​Exhibits Evoking Descent into a Tomb​​: The exhibition rooms are shaped like keyhole-shaped burial mounds, and walking down the passage toward the interior gives visitors the sensation of entering an underground tomb. In addition to swords, earrings, and rings excavated from the Ichisuka Tumulus Cluster, the exhibits include the "shura," a wooden sled found at the Mitsuzuka Kofun Burial Mound in Fujiidera City used for transporting huge stones and stone coffins.
• ​Stepped Roof and Fudoki-no-Oka​​: The roof forms an expansive stepped terrace that is sometimes used as an outdoor theater, offering sweeping views of the surrounding plum groves and cherry trees. The roughly 29-hectare Chikatsu Asuka Fudoki-no-Oka contains 102 tumuli, including round burial mounds around 15 meters in diameter constructed mainly in the latter half of the 6th century, and visitors can enter the horizontal stone chambers of 40 of them.

Walking Tips

To reach the museum, take a bus from either Kishi Station or Tondabayashi Station on the Kintetsu Nagano Line. After viewing the exhibits, walking around the burial mounds in Fudoki-no-Oka is recommended. Approximately 1.8 km to the north is Eifuku-ji Temple, which houses the mausoleum of Prince Shotoku. While you cannot enter the stone chamber of the mausoleum, the museum exhibits a large model reproducing the interior of the prince's tomb, so visiting both will deepen your understanding. Hirokawa-dera Temple is also located about 3.3 km to the south.