Discover Mima: Kofun, Shrine and Recreation

Mima can be explored through a range of themes: kofun tombs, shrine traditions and recreational activities each offer a different perspective. This selection can help you sort out your interests for your stay before looking for a hotel. The archaeological sites raise different questions: at Taikozuka Kofun, the size and shape of the burial chamber are defining features, while at Dan no Tsukaana, the number of burial mounds and their approximate date take centre stage.

Archaeology: Scale, Shape and Dating

The burial chamber at Taikozuka Kofun is 13.1 metres long, 4.3 metres high and 3.4 metres wide. At 13.1 metres, it is roughly three times as long as it is high. It is one of the largest stone burial chambers in Shikoku. Alongside its dimensions, its distinctive domed shape is a notable feature. This burial chamber can therefore be considered in terms of both scale and design.

Dan no Tsukaana consists of two burial mounds from the late Kofun period, built around 1,400 years ago. This approximate age provides a general time reference, not an exact year. In comparison, the number of mounds and their approximate dating define the focus at Dan no Tsukaana, while the dimensions and domed chamber are the standout features at Taikozuka Kofun. This allows you to consider your archaeological interests in terms of whether you would rather focus on design and scale or on a general sense of when a site dates from.

The Tradition of Shigeshi Hachiman Shrine

The founding date of Shigeshi Hachiman Shrine is unknown. According to tradition, the lord of Shigeshi Castle, Ogasawara Bungo-no-kami, had a branch of the divine spirit brought from Iwashimizu Hachimangū in Kyoto. The shrine is said to have been worshipped as a protective shrine for the castle complex. Unlike the kofun tombs, the focus here is on the religious traditions surrounding the shrine. The combination of an unknown founding date and a traditional account helps distinguish historical dating from tradition.

Park and Hang Gliding

Mima Riverside Park has a multipurpose field, a park golf course, tennis courts and a nature park. It therefore offers several different recreational activities. The multipurpose field, park golf and tennis each offer their own sporting options, while the nature park provides a different experience from the sports facilities. If the specific facilities are important to your plans, check which ones are currently available before your visit.

Mima Sky Sports Site is used for hang gliding, with flights descending from the summit of Mount Mitsuyama towards the Yoshino River. Its focus differs from the several named facilities at Riverside Park: here, the emphasis is on a single sport. If you would like to include hang gliding in your travel plans, confirm that it is currently operating before your trip.

When looking for a hotel, you can first consider whether cultural history, park facilities or hang gliding will shape your stay. The historical themes also differ in terms of architectural form, approximate age and religious tradition.

Discover more destinations: Anan, Tokushima, Naka, Miyoshi, Toyooka, Kaiyo, Matsushige, Obatake

For the wider travel overview: Tokushima Prefecture.