About 1,400 years ago, around the 7th century, the Yaho area was ruled by powerful local leaders. The incredible evidence of their reign came to light when a cluster of ten Kofun (ancient burial mounds) was discovered right here in Yaho.
Today, one of these remarkable tombs has been meticulously reconstructed here in the Shiken-zaike district.
The tomb features a unique engineering style of the era: ancient builders gathered smooth river stones from the nearby Tama River and piled them up high to create a protective, enclosed burial chamber (Genshitsu). Originally, this sacred chamber was covered by a massive earthen mound that served as a grand, roof-like hill over the final resting place of the leader.