Shibayama Kofun Haniwa Museum

Chiba Prefecture boasts one of the highest concentrations of ancient burial mounds (kofun) in Japan. Among them, Shibayama Town, home to this museum, is renowned as an archaeological treasure trove, with more than 500 kofun once believed to have existed in the area.

Completely renovated in 2021, the museum showcases around 180 artifacts, including 48 haniwa figures-depicting people and animals-unearthed from the nationally designated historic site Shibayama Kofun Cluster (Tonozuka and Himezuka Kofun). These haniwa gained national attention after being designated as Important Cultural Properties in 2024. The exhibits also feature stone tools, pottery, and other archaeological materials excavated mainly from the Chosei and Kujukuri regions, offering visitors a vivid glimpse into Japan’s ancient past.

In the first exhibition room, visitors can learn the fundamentals of burial mounds and haniwa. The second room delves into the lifestyle, culture, and craftsmanship of the Kofun period, highlighting ancient fashion and various forms of production. The third room features archaeological materials from other eras, including stone tools, Jomon pottery, and clay figurines.
Among the exhibits are a life-sized reconstruction of a pit dwelling that visitors can enter, as well as replicated ceremonial costumes used in ancient rituals-allowing guests to experience the Kofun period as if they had traveled back in time.

Every year on the second Sunday of November, Shibayama Town hosts the Shibayama Haniwa Festival. Centered around Shibayama Park, the celebration features a variety of events held throughout the town, and the museum offers free admission for the occasion.