Daisen-ryo Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku) — Attraction in Sakai

The Daisen-ryo Kofun, also known as the Tomb of Emperor Nintoku, is one of Japan’s most impressive and mysterious ancient sites. Located in Sakai, near Osaka, it is the largest keyhole-shaped burial mound in the country and one of the biggest in the world. Surrounded by wide moats and lush greenery, the site conveys a sense of grandeur and solemnity.

Although the tomb itself is not open to the public, visitors can admire its immense scale from the surrounding viewpoints. The nearby Daisen Park and Sakai City Museum provide context, offering insights into the history of the Kofun period and the significance of these massive tombs.

Walking around the area gives a good perspective of the mound’s size, and the serene atmosphere contrasts with the bustling city around it.

Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Heritage “Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group,” the Daisen-ryo Kofun is not only an archaeological treasure but also an important cultural symbol of Japan’s ancient past.

It is a fascinating stop for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the country’s...

Daisenryo Kofun (Emperor Nintoku’s Tomb) is an immense burial mound and tomb complex. It measures 1500 feet long, 900 feet wide, 115 feet high and is enclosed by 3 moats. Covered in trees for the past century to protect it from soil erosion, it was quite the architectural accomplishment back in the 5th century. Two thousand laborers took 16 years to build it.

And you’ll never see it up close. Nobody has even been near it since 1872.

So it’s not a tourist attraction. Like a giant buried UFO, you can see the outline in the distance. Go for the beautiful 2.5 mile walk around the perimeter, quietly free of people. There is a museum in the park across the street and a tiny theater with a film (with English subtitles) on the history of these keyhole mounds.

Don’t travel to Japan to see it but if you’re in the Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe) anyway, spend a morning or afternoon walking among the beautiful greenery in quiet contemplation, or learning more about a mound that’s twice the length of the Great...

This tomb is one of the 3 largest tombs in the world, along with the Pyramid of Khufu (Egypt) and First Qin Emperor's Mausoleum (China). The inner grounds of the tomb are off-limits, but if you walk around its perimeter, you will slowly realise how big the place actually is! The intricately design grounds is best seen from above because the ground level appears as a wall of forest. Best place to get an aerial view of this magnificent tomb is from the 21st floor observatory at Sakai City Hall, the tallest building within...