The original Kitora tomb contains one of the oldest star charts in the world, depicting over 300 stars.
The mural's four mythological creatures are believed to represent the four cardinal directions and the four seasons.
The original Kitora Tumulus was discovered in 1983 during a survey of the area when a fiber-optic scope was inserted into the stone chamber.
The museum uses 3D-scanned data to replicate the exact curvature and texture of the original burial stone walls.
Kitora Tumulus is a designated Special Historic Site of Japan.
The Kitora Tumulus Mural Experiential Museum Shijinno Yakata serves as the primary exhibition site for replicas of the ancient Kitora Tumulus mural paintings. Located in Asuka, the facility preserves and displays high-fidelity recreations of the celestial charts and four mythological deities—the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Black Tortoise—found in the original 7th-century tomb. The museum utilizes advanced digital technology and material reproduction to demonstrate the historical techniques used by ancient artisans. It functions as a specialized satellite facility for the preservation of cultural artifacts recovered from the surrounding tumuli of the Asuka region. Visitors can view the life-sized reproduction of the stone chamber, which provides spatial context for the mural placements. The site is managed by the Asuka Historical Park administration to facilitate public education regarding Japan's Kofun period.
The central exhibition hall featuring the full-scale 360-degree digital projection of the stone chamber.
Combine your visit with a walk through the surrounding Asuka Historical Park to see the actual tumulus mound.
Use the available digital interactive kiosks to zoom in on the star chart details for a better understanding of ancient astronomy.
Check the official website before visiting, as the museum occasionally displays seasonal rotations of specific mural panels.
Do not mistake the museum for the actual burial tomb, which is a restricted archaeological site located nearby.
Closed on Mondays, or the following day if Monday is a public holiday; also closed during the year-end and New Year period.
Maintain a quiet volume and do not touch the surfaces of the mural replicas.
