Yokkaichi Cave Tomb Cluster

The Yokkaichi Cave Tomb Cluster is an archaeological site comprising 161 horizontal cave tombs carved into tuff cliffs on the east slope of the Dainohara Hills, located in Usa, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. These tombs, constructed between the late 6th and 7th centuries CE during the latter half of the Kofun period, represent a shift towards mass cemeteries with multiple burials within each tomb. The site is divided into two primary clusters: the Kagayama Cluster with 75 tombs and the Ikkite Cluster with 86 tombs. The tombs are characterized by semicylindrical burial chambers with short passageways. Some tombs feature decorative elements, such as colored patterns and concentric circles. Although these tombs have been open since antiquity, and no systematic archaeological excavation has been conducted, they offer valuable insights into the funerary practices of the era.