A Tomb with a Decorated House-Shaped Sarcophagus
The Urayama Kofun (浦山古墳, Urayama Kofun) is a Kofun-period burial mound on a hilltop in Kamitsumachi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, which in 1951 was designated a Historic Site.
The designation text describes a raised round mound at the summit containing a corridor-style stone chamber opening to the northwest.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs values it as a decorated tomb: its sarcophagus is unusual in construction, and patterns on the inside of a sarcophagus are very rare.
The Sarcophagus
According to the Agency, the chamber holds a sarcophagus so large that there is barely a gap between it and the walls. It is of tuff, in two parts, lid and body.
The lid has a hipped roof form with two knobs on each side. The body is built of single slabs for each wall and the floor, with a window in the front wall flanked by stone posts, closed by a stone held with a bar, an elaborate construction.
The Kurume tourism association notes that little is known of the finds, though beads, gold rings, swords and armour are said to have been found, and dates the tomb to the late fifth century.
What to Look For: Patterns inside the Sarcophagus
The Agency describes incised decoration on the inside of the body: on the side and back walls, bands of chokkomon, an arc-and-line motif, above and below, with a band of concentric circles between, and traces of red pigment. Simple chokkomon also appear on both faces of the front wall.
The tourism association says the interior is painted red throughout, and the incised patterns can be seen.
Visiting the Urayama Kofun
According to the Kurume tourism association, the house-shaped sarcophagus is under a protective shelter. To protect the decoration, visitors cannot enter it and may view it only from above. The key to the shelter can be borrowed at the main hall of Naritasan Kurume Branch Temple (as of August 2026).
Arrangements may change, so check in advance.
Q&A
- When was the Urayama Kofun designated?
- It was designated a Historic Site on 9 June 1951.
- What is special about the Urayama Kofun?
- A large tuff house-shaped sarcophagus incised inside with arc-and-line and concentric-circle patterns.
- When was the Urayama Kofun built?
- In the late fifth century, according to the Kurume tourism association.
- Can I see the Urayama sarcophagus?
- Yes, from above only, inside a shelter; borrow the key at Naritasan Kurume Branch Temple (as of August 2026).
- Where is the Urayama Kofun?
- On a hilltop in Kamitsumachi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
Basic Information
| Name | Urayama Kofun (浦山古墳) |
|---|---|
| Location | Kamitsumachi, Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture |
| Designation | Historic Site |
| Year Designated | Designated 1951/6/9 (Showa 26) |
| Quantity | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Dimensions | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Owner | Not recorded in the Agency for Cultural Affairs database |
| Public Access | Sarcophagus viewable from above; key at Naritasan Kurume Branch Temple |
References
- Agency for Cultural Affairs Database: Urayama Kofun (Japanese)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/maindetails/401/2641
- Cultural Heritage Online: Urayama Kofun (Japanese)
- https://online.bunka.go.jp/heritages/detail/173245
- Kurume Tourism Association: Urayama Kofun (Japanese)
- https://welcome-kurume.com/spots/detail/d6a6808c-8c94-419b-8468-386336ff0f85
Last verified: 2026.09.28