Shirakawa Funada-Motonuma Sites

The Shirakawa Funada-Motonuma Sites, located in Shirakawa, Fukushima, Japan, include significant Kofun period archaeological sites. These sites feature the Shimōsa-zuka kofun, a keyhole-shaped burial mound with a length of 71.8 meters, and the Funada-nakamichi site, a fortified residence with traces of wooden palisades and pit dwellings. Both are believed to be associated with the local ruler, Shirakawa miyatsuko, dating from the 6th to 7th century CE. Additionally, the Yachikubo kofun, a tomb structure, reflects architectural styles from the Kansai region and marks the final phase of the Kofun period into the early 8th century. Designated a National Historic Site in 2005, these sites provide crucial insights into the burial practices and domestic architecture of the period.