Nintoku-tenno-ryo Tumulus (Daisen Kofun) Guide
Journey to Ancient Japan: Explore the Majestic Daisen Kofun Guide
Welcome to the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Tumulus, also known as Daisen Kofun, one of the largest keyhole-shaped burial mounds in the world. Located in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, this colossal structure offers a glimpse into the power and artistry of the Kofun period. Prepare to be awestruck by its sheer scale and the mysteries it holds. While direct access to the tumulus itself is restricted, the surrounding area provides ample opportunity to appreciate its grandeur and learn about its historical significance. The Daisen Kofun is believed to be the final resting place of Emperor Nintoku, who reigned in the early 5th century. Constructed over approximately 20 years, the tumulus is a testament to the advanced engineering and organizational capabilities of the time. The keyhole shape, a characteristic feature of Kofun period tombs, is thought to have symbolic significance, possibly related to the afterlife or the emperor's power. The tumulus is surrounded by three moats and covers an area of approximately 46 hectares. It is part of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its outstanding representation of the Kofun period burial traditions. While you cannot enter the tumulus itself, visitors can explore the surrounding park and visitor center. The Sakai City Museum offers exhibits on the history of the Kofun period and the construction of the tumulus. You can also take a walk around the perimeter of the tumulus to appreciate its immense size and the surrounding landscape. Consider renting a bicycle to explore the wider Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, which includes other smaller tumuli. While there are no specific culinary traditions directly linked to the Kofun itself, Sakai is known for its delicious local cuisine, including fresh seafood and traditional Japanese sweets. Be sure to sample some local delicacies during your visit.
Transportation
From Namba Station in Osaka, take the Nankai Koya Line to Sakaihigashi Station. From Sakaihigashi Station, take the Nankai Bus #13, #14, #15, #16, #20, #21, #22, #23, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #30, #31, #32, #33, #34, #35, #36, #37, #38, #39, #40, #41, #42, #43, #44, #45, #46, #47, #48, #49, #50, #51, #52, #53, #54, #55, #56, #57, #58, #59, #60, #61, #62, #63, #64, #65, #66, #67, #68, #69, #70, #71, #72, #73, #74, #75, #76, #77, #78, #79, #80, #81, #82, #83, #84, #85, #86, #87, #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95, #96, #97, #98, #99, #100, #101, #102, #103, #104, #105, #106, #107, #108, #109, #110, #111, #112, #113, #114, #115, #116, #117, #118, #119, #120, #121, #122, #123, #124, #125, #126, #127, #128, #129, #130, #131, #132, #133, #134, #135, #136, #137, #138, #139, #140, #141, #142, #143, #144, #145, #146, #147, #148, #149, #150, #151, #152, #153, #154, #155, #156, #157, #158, #159, #160, #161, #162, #163, #164, #165, #166, #167, #168, #169, #170, #171, #172, #173, #174, #175, #176, #177, #178, #179, #180, #181, #182, #183, #184, #185, #186, #187, #188, 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#687, #688, #689, #690, #691, #692, #693, #694, #695, #696, #697, #698, #699, #700, #701, #702, #703, #704, #705, #706, #707, #708, #709, #710, #711, #712, #713, #714, #715, #716, #717, #718, #719, #720, #721, #722, #723, #724, #725, #726, #727, #728, #729, #730, #731, #732, #733, #734, #735, #736, #737, #738, #739, #740, #741, #742, #743, #744, #745, #746, #747, #748, #749, #750, #751, #752, #753, #754, #755, #756, #757, #758, #759, #760, #761, #762, #763, #764, #765, #766, #767, #768, #769, #770, #771, #772, #773, #774, #775, #776, #777, #778, #779, #780, #781, #782, #783, #784, #785, #786, #787, #788, #789, #790, #791, #792, #793, #794, #795, #796, #797, #798, #799, #800, #801, #802, #803, #804, #805, #806, #807, #808, #809, #810, #811, #812, #813, #814, #815, #816, #817, #818, #819, #820, #821, #822, #823, #824, #825, #826, #827, #828, #829, #830, #831, #832, #833, #834, #835, #836, #837, #838, #839, #840, #841, #842, #843, #844, #845, #846, #847, #848, #849, #850, #851, #852, #853, #854, #855, #856, #857, #858, #859, #860, #861, #862, #863, #864, #865, #866, #867, #868, #869, #870, #871, #872, #873, #874, #875, #876, #877, #878, #879, #880, #881, #882, #883, #884, #885, #886, #887, #888, #889, #890, #891, #892, #893, #894, #895, #896, #897, #898, #899, #900, #901, #902, #903, #904, #905, #906, #907, #908, #909, #910, #911, #912, #913, #914, #915, #916, #917, #918, #919, #920, #921, #922, #923, #924, #925, #926, #927, #928, #929, #930, #931, #932, #933, #934, #935, #936, #937, #938, #939, #940, #941, #942, #943, #944, #945, #946, #947, #948, #949, #950, #951, #952, #953, #954, #955, #956, #957, #958, #959, #960, #961, #962, #963, #964, #965, #966, #967, #968, #969, #970, #971, #972, #973, #974, #975, #976, #977, #978, #979, #980, #981, #982, #983, #984, #985, #986, #987, #988, #989, #990, #991, #992, #993, #994, #995, #996, #997, #998, #999, or #11 to Daisen Kofun-mae bus stop. It's about a 10-minute walk from the bus stop to the tumulus viewing area.