Daisenryo Kofun tomb [大仙陵古墳]
Daisenryo Kofun from the airplane
Worship place in Daisenryo Kofun
Daisenryo Kofun is an ancient huge tomb known as Tomb of Emperor Nintoku (Nintoku Tenno-ryo, 仁徳天皇陵).
It is in Sakai city next to Osaka city, and is located about 10 km south of Ten-noji station.
The tomb is the largest in width in the world.
The site is 840 meters from north to south and 654 meters from east to west.
The mounded tomb like a hill is surrounded with a wide moat.
The north part is a circular shape 286 meters in diameter and the south part is a trapezoid 257 meters in length and 347 meters in width.
The height is about 38 to 40 meters.
Emperor Nintoku was the 16th Emperor in Japanese history.
(The current Emperor is the 126th.)
He was born in 257, and died in 399.
His reign as the Emperor was from 313 to 399.
If it was right, he died at the age of 142.
Of course, it is the record in an ancient book, and the other book said that he was died at the age of 83.
The truth is not yet known.
But, because it is a tomb of an Emperor, it has been managed by Imperial Household Agency.
It is acknowledged as the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, but the academic investigation had never been done.
Because, the agency hadn't allowed the investigation.
So, some scholars say that it isn't the tomb of Emperor Nintoku.
But Imperial Household Agency announced to start the excavation and research in 2018.
We may hear the news that the new facts are found in the future.
It is true that this tomb was constructed in the early 5th century for very important person.
Because of the reason, we can visit only the place for worshipping.
It is at the south edge of the site, and it is similar to a Shinto shrine.
Moat of Daisenryo Kofun
Richu Tenno-ryo & Daisenryo from the airplane
From the 5th to the 6th century, the big tombs of this form were constructed in this area.
Around Daisenryo Kofun, there are 44 kofuns, large and small.
These are called as Mozu Kofungun (Group of Kofun in Mozu district).
And there is Furuichi Kofungun about 10 km east of this area.
There are 87 kofuns in the area.
Both area were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
As Mozu Kofungun, many kofuns are dotted around Daisenryo Kofun.
Richu Tenno-ryo Kofun (履中天皇陵) is located about 1.3 km southwest of Daisenryo Kofun.
The formal name is "Kami-Ishizu Misanzai Kofun", and is the 3rd largest kofun in Japan.
Literally, it is said that the kofun was the tomb of Emperor Richu (the 17th Emperor, 336?-405?).
The size is smaller than the half of Daisenryo Kofun.
Place for worshipping in Richu Tenno-ryo
Gobyoyama Kofun
Gobyoyama Kofun (御廟山古墳) is located about 0.7 km southeast of Daisenryo Kofun.
The length of the tomb is 203 meters, and is the fourth largest kofun in Mozu Kofungun.
Nisanzai Kofun (ニサンザイ古墳) is about 1.7 km southeast of Daisenryo Kofun.
It is the 3rd largest kofun in Mozu Kofungun.
Observatory of resored kofun in Daisen Park
Japanese garden in Daisen Park
There is Daisen Park between Daisenryo Kofun and Richu Tenno-ryo Kofun.
It is a city park of Sakai city, and there are about 400 cherry trees in the park.
And a Japanese garden and a few Japanese tea houses are also set up.
About 10 small kofuns are in and around the park.
This area has just become the World Heritage Site.
So, the route bus to travel around main kofuns is not enough now.
We can use a reltal bicycle in Daisen Park.
And, there is Sakai City Hall about 0.8 km north of Daisenryo Kofun.
The 21th floor is opened to the public as the good observatory for Daisenryo Kofun.
How to get here
By local train of JR Hanwa Line, about 22 minutes from Ten-noji to Mozu station.
Or, by express of Nankai Koya Line, about 15 minutes from Nanba to Mikunigaoka.
