A dome-shaped burial chamber and two burial mounds from the late Kofun period give Mima an archaeological focus. The area also has the traditions of Shigeshi Hachiman Shrine and a range of recreational activities: Mima Riverside Park has several facilities for sports and nature, while Mima Sky Sports Site is used for hang gliding. This gives you several themes to choose from for your trip—from Kofun burial architecture and shrine traditions to park activities and air sports.

Kofun: Chamber Design and Burial Mounds

The burial chamber of Taikozuka Kofun is one of the largest stone-structure chambers in Shikoku, measuring 13.1 meters long, 4.3 meters high, and 3.4 meters wide. Its distinctive shape is dome-like. Its size and shape together define the archaeological character of this Kofun: the chamber is notable not only for its dimensions, but also for its construction. For those interested in Kofun, Taikozuka offers a particular focus on burial chamber architecture.

Dan no Tsukaana in Mima-chō consists of two burial mounds built about 1,400 years ago, in the late Kofun period. Comparing the two sites brings out their different features: at Taikozuka Kofun, the focus is on the dome-shaped chamber and its size; at Dan no Tsukaana, it is on the two mounds and their approximate date. This lets you distinguish archaeological themes by construction type or by the form of a burial mound complex, without treating the sites as the same.

The Tradition of Shigeshi Hachiman Shrine

The founding date of Shigeshi Hachiman Shrine is unknown. According to tradition, Ogasawara Bungo-no-kami, the lord of Shigeshi Castle, had a branch spirit brought from Iwashimizu Hachimangū in Kyoto. He had the shrine venerated as a protective shrine for the castle complex. This history offers a different historical perspective from the Kofun sites: the focus here is on a traditional connection to a Hachiman shrine in Kyoto and the role attributed to the shrine in relation to the castle complex. The unknown founding date should be kept distinct from the story.

Recreation at Mima Riverside Park

Mima Riverside Park in Mima-chō has a multipurpose field, a park golf course, tennis courts, and a nature park. The facilities cater to different interests: the multipurpose field, park golf, and tennis offer sporting activities, while the nature park has a different focus. You can choose how to explore the park based on the type of recreational activity that interests you. As the municipality may update its information about recreational facilities, check the latest park details before your visit.

Hang Gliding at Mount Mitsuyama

Mima Sky Sports Site is used for hang gliding, with a route from the summit of Mount Mitsuyama down toward the Yoshino River. This site focuses on a particular air sport, unlike the range of facilities at Riverside Park. If you plan to go hang gliding during your trip, confirm current operations in advance. This check is especially important for planning, as operations should be confirmed before your trip.

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