The Wakasa region contains a number of ancient burial mounds (kofun). One group is the Kaminaka Tumulus Cluster, a designated National Historic Site which contains the Nakatsuka Tumulus and four others. The Nakatsuka Tumulus is a keyhole-shaped mound with a three-tiered structure that measures 72 meters in length and 6 meters in height. Nakatsuka Tumulus has not been excavated, but analysis of ceremonial clay objects (haniwa) from the site indicates that it was likely built in the late fifth century. The original shape of the mound was substantially affected by residential construction and agricultural development of the surrounding land.
Near Nakatsuka Tumulus are the four other burial mounds in the Kaminaka Tumulus Cluster: Nukazuka Tumulus, Joge no Mori Tumulus, Nishizuka Tumulus, and Jonozuka Tumulus (the largest kofun in the region). In addition, it is believed that two other burial mounds called Arezuka and Hikarizuka existed in this area in the past. Since long ago, these seven kofun were collectively known as Nanatsuzuka, or “the seven burial mounds.”
