
The Lost Tombs of Japan: Ancient Graves No One Can Fully Open
Published: July 13, 2026
Duration: 10:32
The Lost Tombs of Japan explores one of the greatest unsolved archaeological mysteries in Japan. Across the country stand massive ancient burial mounds known as kofun, enormous royal tombs built during the Kofun period between 250 and 538 CE. Some of these giant graves are linked to early emperors and elite rulers, including Daisen Kofun, one of the largest tomb complexes on Earth. Yet many remain only partially studied or unopened due to tradition, reverence, and imperial protections. In this episode of The Strange History Podcast, we explore the people of Kofun Japan, rice-farming clans, warrior elites, haniwa clay figures, ancestor worship...