West of Saito’s city center, on the Saitobaru Plateau, lies the remarkable historic site of the Saitobaru Kofun Group. Its burial mounds stand at elevations of 60 to 80 meters and extend about 4.2 kilometers from north to south and 2.6 kilometers from east to west. This expanse makes the historic landscape itself an important part of the site: at its heart is a group of burial mounds, not just a single mound.
Walking Between the Landscape and City Center
The Kiki no Michi walking path winds through Saito’s rural landscape and connects the Saitobaru Kofun Group with the city center. This offers a different perspective from viewing the burial mounds alone: the historic site and the center can be seen as two connected points of interest in the city. If you want to explore Saito on foot, consider making this path a focus of your trip planning.
Archaeology and Folklore: Two Museum Perspectives
The Saito History and Folklore Museum displays archaeological finds from various parts of the city, as well as heirloom objects such as Buddhist statues. The collection also includes farming and forestry tools, household items and hunting equipment. Alongside archaeology, the museum thus presents objects from everyday life. It also displays records about the instruments used in folk dance and folk music performances, as well as performances involving ritual offerings.
A different perspective is offered by the Saitobaru Archaeological Museum of Miyazaki Prefecture, located in Saito. Its exhibits include valuable archaeological finds from Miyazaki Prefecture, including replicas of the National Treasures “金銅馬具類” and the Important Cultural Properties “埴輪子持家・埴輪船”. The museum also offers an experience of Saitobaru’s virtual world using a VR headset. In its Ancient Life Experience section, visitors can make magatama pendants, pottery and haniwa figures.
The two museums have different focuses: the History and Folklore Museum brings together finds from Saito, everyday objects and records of performances. The Prefectural Archaeological Museum combines archaeological finds with a VR experience and hands-on activities. You can choose between them based on whether you are most interested in local daily life and ritual culture, or in archaeological objects and ancient life.
Castle History and a December Event
The ruins of Tonokori Castle also tell the story of a longer historical era. The Itō clan built the castle in 1335; it served as their seat of power in Hyūga for 242 years. This site complements the Kofun and museum exhibits with the history of a later seat of power.
The Shiromi Shrine Festival is held at the shrine in Saito from December 12 to 16 according to the modern Gregorian calendar. Before your trip, check whether these dates apply for the year you plan to visit.
Choosing Saito as a Place to Stay
If you are looking for a vacation rental in Saito, you might first consider which cultural focus you want to shape your stay: the expansive Kofun landscape, the walking path between the historic site and city center, or the different museum offerings. This will help you get a sense of Saito through its specific historical and cultural themes before choosing an accommodation.
Discover more destinations: Gokase, Sankasho, Hyūga, Nichinan, Ebino, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, Takachiho
For the main travel overview: Miyazaki Prefecture.
