Kofun (ancient mounted tombs) and towns of Sakai: July 29, 2017 (off Tokyo)

Kofun is a unique tomb of ancient Japan. The mounted tombs were built in the 4^th to 6^th century in the Kinki region - Osaka, Nara Kyoto and neighboring areas –and other parts of the country.

Many tombs gather in the southern parts of Osaka. The tombs in Mozu, in Sakai City, and the tombs in Furuichi, in Fujiidera and Habikino citires, are especially famous. The largest kofun is the tomb of Emperor in Mozu tombs in Sakai City, southern neighbor of Osaka City.

I visited Sakai to see the tombs and the towns.

I first went up the observation room of the City Hall. It is 80 meters high.

Many kofun in the area was made in the style of “square at the front and rounded in the rear.” We can recognize the shape when we see it from 300 meters high or more (in the planes).

The shapes were not clear from the observation room. The looked like small woods. The picture is emperor Nitoku's tomb. (See also the top photo). 

Still, it was very impressive that many kofun scattered in the houses and buildings in the city. The photo is Emperor Hanzei's tomb.

There are 44 kofun preserved in the Mozu tombs.

There were volunteer citizens who provide information on Sakai and kofun. I had a talk with one of them for nearly one hour.

I walked around the city.

Emperor Nintoku’s kofun is 486 meters length and is surrounded by triple moats.

It is prohibited to enter the kofun which are believed to be ancient emperors’ tombs. A shrine stands in front of Emperor Nintoku’s kofun. (See the third photo from the top) 

There are walking paths arranged around the tomb. I saw citizens walking in the hot day.

I also visited Emperor Richu’s kofun.

It is the third largest ones in Japan.

I found news houses were being built around the tomb.

I also visited smaller kofun –Itasuke kofun and Goryouama kofun. Hundreds of houses stand around the tombs.

There was a plan to develop houses in the Itasuke kofun decades ago. The plan was stopped by the citizens7 opposition. The parts of a bridge, which was planned to use for house development, remain there.

Sakai is famous not only for its ancient history but also for its medieval and modern histories.

Sakai was the country’s largest free port city in the 16^th century. Japan’s most advanced gun factories were built here. The technology was later used to develop metal products such as knives and bicycles.

Now, bile sharing services are available in Sakai.