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Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group
Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Massive monuments located at the heart of the urban city that represent the sovereign nation of Japan
The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group is a cluster of massive tumulus tombs that spread across three cities in Osaka Prefecture, namely Sakai, Fujiidera and Habikino. Having served as an important political and cultural center of Japan from the late 4th century to late 5th century, dozens of burial mounds for emperors and their families are densely concentrated in the area, making it among the largest tomb groups in the country. The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group was also given a place on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List in 2019. These ancient tombs exude a visible presence within the urban landscape, creating a unique scenery that reminds us of the rich history of Osaka.
Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun
Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun is a large mound comprised of circular and rectangular sections, which seen from above, has a unique keyhole shape only found in Japan. Thought to have been built around the middle of the 5th century, it is the largest mounds in the world. The total length of the mound including the surrounding triple moat is 840 meters. In 1872, a pit-style stone compartment and a chest-shaped stone coffin were discovered, from which a sword, armor as well as glass jars and plates were unearthed. These burial artifacts are not found in other mounds, so are extremely valuable.
Ojin-tenno-ryo Kofun
Located in the central part of the Furuichi area is Ojin-tenno-ryo Kofun, a massive keyhole-shaped mounded tomb that dates back to the early 5th century. It is 425 meters long and nearly 36 meters high, which is equivalent to a 12-story building. The volume of soil used for the mound is said to be the largest in Japan. Outside of the double moat and bank that surround the mound lies a number of smaller tombs. The cherry trees and cosmos lining the inner moat embellish the mound with beautiful flowers in spring and autumn, which is excellent for a leisurely walk.
Tsudo-shiroyama Kofun
Tsudo-shiroyama Kofun is the oldest keyhole-shaped mounded tomb in the Furuichi area. It is 210 meters long and is surrounded by a double moat and bank. You can climb to the top of the mound, making it long appreciated by the local citizens as a relaxing retreat. Although there are also other several mounds that can be climbed in the area, Tsudo-shiroyama Kofun is the only mound with a total length exceeding 200 meters. The 1.1-meter-tall water bird-shaped haniwa (terracotta clay figure) excavated from the mound is listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
Location
| Name | Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group |
|---|---|
| Website | http://www.mozu-furuichi.jp/en/ |
| Address | Daisencho, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka |
| Access | Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun (Mozu area): Approximately 8 minutes' walk from Mozu Station on the JR Hanwa Line Ojin-tenno-ryo Kofun (Furuichi area): Approximately 4 minutes' walk from Hajinosato Station on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line Please see the website for details. |
| Inquiries | TEL: 06-6210-9742 |