Asuka Village

The turtle stone and Ishibutai tumulus in Nara - April 14, 2002

The legend of the Turtle Stone

This giant natural granite stone has been sculpted in the form of a smiling tortoise. Legend says that; before the tortoise stone faced north, now it faces southwest, and if the tortoise should face west, YAMATO (Nara as the capital), will sink in the muddy ocean.

Ishibutai Kofun

Ishibutai Kofun (石舞台古墳) is a stone kofun tumulus of the Asuka period in the east of Shimanosho, Asuka, Nara Prefecture, Japan. The kofun is believed to be the tomb of Soga no Umako. It occupies a space of 54 m (177 ft), and is the largest known megalithic structure in Japan.

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