The Mozu Tombs (•Sã’¹ŒÃ•ŒQ, Mozu Kofungun) are a cluster of several dozen ancient tombs in the Mozu area of Sakai City, immediately south of Osaka City. The cluster, along with some other tombs in the region, makes up the "Mozu-Furuichi Kofungun Ancient Tumulus Structures", which were designated a Cultural World Heritage Site in 2019.
The tombs were built in the 4th to 6th centuries for the ruling elite, with the larger, more elaborately shaped mounds signifying higher status than smaller amd simpler ones. The largest of the tombs is the Emperor Nintoku Kofun which is believed to be the tomb of Emperor Nintoku. With the surrounding moats included, the tomb is about 800 meters long and 600 meters wide, making it not only Japan's largest grave, but also one of the world's largest. Less than a kilometer away lies the Emperor Richu Kofun, the third largest tomb in Japan.
Kofun tombs are large mounds of earth. Originally kept relatively free of vegetation, today most of them are covered by trees. Many of the larger tombs, including the ones of Emperor Nintoku and Emperor Richu, are of a keyhole shape and surrounded by moats. The tombs are generally not open to the public, and the larger ones are difficult to fully appreciate unless viewed from a high vantage point. The free observation deck on the 21st floor of the Sakai City Hall allows for such views from about a kilometer away.
A large number of medium and small sized kofun tombs are spread across the spacious and pleasant Daisen Park which stretches between the kofun of Emperor Nintoku and Emperor Richu. The park also offers a few attractions that are not directly related to the tombs:
Sakai City Museum
Hours: 9:30 to 17:15 (entry until 16:30) Closed: Mondays (except public holidays) Admission: 200 yen Typical visit duration: 45 minutes
This museum documents the history of the port town of Sakai through the ages, beginning with a detailed account of the kofun tombs including artifacts excavated from inside the burial sites.
Japanese Garden
Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (Mar to Nov), 9:30 to 16:30 (Dec to Feb) Closed: Mondays (or next day if Mon is a public holiday), New Year holidays Admission: 200 yen Typical visit duration: 30-40 minutes
Visitors can enjoy strolling around this traditional Japanese garden. In addition to various water features and a picturesque bridge, there is a rest house and multiple seating areas to take in the views.
Shimano Bicycle Museum
Hours: 10:00 to 16:30 (entry until 16:00) Closed: Mon (except holidays), days after holidays (except Sat/Sun), New Year Admission: 500 yen Typical visit duration: 45 minutes
Shimano is a world leader in bicycle component manufacturing and has its headquarters in Sakai City. Their well-done museum documents the evolution of bicycles with various historical models on display to an exhibition of present technology.
Getting there and around
The Mozu Tombs and the surrounding attractions are most easily accessed from Mozu Station along the JR Hanwa Line. From Tennoji, take a rapid train to Sakaishi (7 minutes) and transfer to a local train to Mozu (4 minutes). The one way journey costs 230 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass and other JR passes. Daisen Park is a short walk from the station.
The other station of interest is Sakaihigashi Station along the Nankai Koya Line which lies next to the Sakai City Hall and a 20-30 minute walk from Daisen Park. The one way ride from Namba Station to Sakaihigashi takes about 15 minutes and costs 290 yen by express trains. It is not covered by JR passes.
Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only features accommodation within 2.5 km of the centre of Osaka, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a microwave and a toaster. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.1 km from Toyosaki Shrine. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen and luggage storage for guests. All units are fitted with a fridge, stovetop, a coffee machine, a kitchenware and kettle. All units have a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Catholic Osaka Umeda Church, Tsunashikiten Shrine Otabisha and Hankyu Men's Osaka. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 20 km from Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only.
Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi is an 8-minute walk from OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) and a 10-minute walk from Namba Station. Glico Man Sign is a 4-minute walk from the property. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Featuring modern d?cor, all rooms come with air conditioning and heating facilities, a flat-screen TV and pajamas. Private bathroom includes a bath, walk-in shower, hairdryer, toilet with an electronic bidet and free toiletries. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy billiards at the property. There is a drinks vending machine, and laundry service can be arranged. Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai shopping street are a 16-minute train ride away. Osaka Itami Airport is a 45-minute drive from Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi.
Located in Osaka, 400 metres from Wiste Mall and 1.8 km from the centre, Guesthouse Yours provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi, and a terrace. This 1-star guest house offers luggage storage space and a housekeeping service. The guest house features family rooms. There is a coffee shop, bar and lounge. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Nankeiji Temple, Ryotokuin Temple and Tenjinsha Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 18 km from Guesthouse Yours.
Featuring 1-star accommodation, Guest House Yadomaru is set in Osaka, 500 metres from Tempozan Ferris Wheel and 3.1 km from Isoji Central Park. The air-conditioned accommodation is 3.2 km from Minato Kumin Centre. Hirao Park is 5.8 km from the guest house and Aeon Mall Osaka Dome City is 5.8 km away. Featuring a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Universal Studios Japan is 6.4 km from the guest house, while Chishima Park is 6.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 27 km from Guest House Yadomaru.
Located in Osaka and with Tempozan Ferris Wheel reachable within 500 metres, HOTEL SAILS provides a restaurant, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi throughout the property and a bar. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. Aeon Mall Osaka Dome City is 5.5 km away and Hirao Park is 5.7 km from the hotel. Guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. At HOTEL SAILS each room comes with bed linen and towels. Buffet and American breakfast options are available daily at the accommodation. Isoji Central Park is 2.8 km from HOTEL SAILS, while Minato Kumin Centre is 2.8 km away. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 26 km from the hotel.
3-star accommodation, HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi is located in central Osaka, 600 metres from Dotonbori River and the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, 700 metres from popular music and shopping district America Village. Conveniently located in the Chuo Ward, the hotel is situated 2.4 km from Shinsekai. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk with multi-lingual staff. Free WiFi is available at the hotel. Each air-conditioned room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and desk. Free toiletries and rain shower are provided in all rooms, while certain rooms feature a bathtub. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Traditional locations such as Shitennoji Temple and Kuromon Ichiba Market are within 2.5 km from the hotel. Osaka Itami Airport and Kansai International Airport are both less than a one-hour train ride from HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi.
Citadines Namba Osaka has a fitness centre, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Osaka. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 300 metres from Nipponbashi Catholic Church. All rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Each room is fitted with a kettle, while some rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a stovetop. At Citadines Namba Osaka the rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Citadines Namba Osaka include Nipponbashi Park, Komyo-ji Temple and Shinko-ji Temple. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 22 km from the hotel.
Well set in the centre of Osaka, HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA is within 500 metres of TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center and 400 metres of Stage Ku. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Shinsaibashi Station, Namba Shrine and Nipponbashi Monument. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA.
Located in the Chuo Ward district in Osaka, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. This property is situated a short distance from attractions such as Nipponbashi Monument, Zojugoi Yasuidoton Dobokukiko Monument, and Mitsutera Temple. The property is 500 metres from Stage Ku, and within 2.3 km of the city centre. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. At the hotel every room is equipped with a private bathroom and bed linen. Popular points of interest near MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North include TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center, Shinsaibashi Station and Namba Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 21 km from the accommodation.
Attractively situated in the Nishi Ward district of Osaka, MIMARU OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI WEST is situated 600 metres from Namba Shrine, less than 1 km from Samuhara Shrine and a 7-minute walk from Manpuku-ji Temple. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 400 metres from Kokoni Sunaba Ariki Monument, and within 1.9 km of the city centre. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. All guest rooms at the hotel are equipped with a private bathroom and bed linen. Popular points of interest near MIMARU OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI WEST include Wakoji Temple, Orange Street and Amida Pond. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 20 km from the accommodation.