The Mozu Tombs (百舌鳥古墳群, 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
  • 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
  • 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

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.

How to get to and around Osaka

Hours and Fees

Daisen Park

Hours

Closed

Admission

Sakai City Hall Observatory

Hours

Closed

Admission

Hotels around Osaka

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      Mid-range
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      Mid-range
      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.
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    • Feel Osaka Yu
      Mid-range
      Open in 2018, just a minute's walk from Shinsaibashi Station, Feel Osaka Yu offers shared dormitory rooms and private rooms. Free WiFi and a shared kitchen are provided. Guests can conveniently go shopping at the nearby America Village. Osaka Castle is a 5-train ride from the property, while Umeda is a 6-minute train ride away. The shared bathroom is fitted with free toiletries. All guest rooms will provide guests with a microwave. Yodoya Bridge and Kyocera Dome are both a 4-minute train ride away. Nagahoribashi Station is a 10-minute walk away.
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    • Citadines Namba Osaka
      Luxury
      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. Itami Airport is 22 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Royal Classic Osaka
      Luxury
      Boasting a bar, Hotel Royal Classic Osaka is set in the centre of Osaka, 400 metres from Motomachinaka Park. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at Hotel Royal Classic Osaka. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Orange Street, Glico Man Sign and Naniwa Park. Itami Airport is 21 km from the property.
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    • HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA
      Luxury
      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. Itami Airport is 21 km away.
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    • MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North
      Luxury
      Located in the Chuo Ward district in Osaka, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is situated less than 1 km from Nipponbashi Monument, a 9-minute walk from Zojugoi Yasuidoton Dobokukiko Monument and 1 km from Mitsutera Temple. The property is 2.3 km from the city centre and 500 metres from Stage Ku. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All units include bed linen. Popular points of interest near MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North include TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center, Shinsaibashi Station and Namba Shrine. Itami Airport is 21 km away.
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    • MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West
      Luxury
      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 10-minute walk from Wakoji Temple. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 300 metres from Kokoni Sunaba Ariki Monument, and within 1.9 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Manpuku-ji Temple, Orange Street and Amida Pond. Itami Airport is 20 km from the property.
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    • Guest House Yadomaru
      Budget-friendly
      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. Aeon Mall Osaka Dome City is 6.1 km from the guest house and Hirao Park is 6.1 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.
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