Cycling Tour in Sakai, Osaka's Second Largest City: Home to the World's Largest Tomb

Sakai is located between Kansai Airport and Osaka City. From Kansai Airport, take the Nankai Electric Railway to Nankai Sakai Station in about half an hour. The station area is bustling yet tranquil, with numerous hotels and restaurants. Sakai's urban planning is bicycle-friendly, with dedicated bike parking spaces outside restaurants, malls, and convenience stores. The city's extensive bike path network even allows cycling on sidewalks.

The Sakai Station Tourist Information Center is located on the first floor of the west exit of Nankai Sakai Station. Renting a regular bicycle for a day costs only 500 yen, while an electric-assist bicycle costs 1,000 yen, making it very affordable.

Renting a bicycle is very convenient, eliminating the need to worry about not having a local mobile phone to rent a shared bike. The Sakai Station Tourist Information Center on the first floor of the west exit of Nankai Sakai Station offers bicycle rental services. Renting a regular bicycle for a day costs only 500 yen, and an electric-assist bicycle costs 1,000 yen, making it very affordable. The rental site offers a wide selection of well-maintained bicycles and provides free front and rear lights, bike locks, phone mounts, and helmets. The center also offers brochures on tourist attractions and bike routes, and the staff enthusiastically provide information in English.

Sakai Station Tourist Information Center

Address: 1st Floor, Nankai Sakai Station Building

Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Website: https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/zh-tw/spot/detail/349

Japan's Oldest Existing Lighthouse

I rented an electric-assist bicycle (which requires pedaling to activate the motor) and leisurely toured Sakai. This cycling route starts at Sakai Station and heads to the old lighthouse port, the 21st-floor observation deck of the city hall, and the Mozu Tombs.

From Nankai Sakai Station, head towards the port, passing through Ohama Park. After about five minutes of cycling, you will reach the hexagonal spindle-shaped lighthouse at the south pier of Sakai Old Port. This lighthouse is Japan's oldest existing wooden Western-style lighthouse, built in 1877 (Meiji 10), standing 11.3 meters tall, and designated as a national historic site, symbolizing Sakai City.

Cycle to the port to view the hexagonal spindle-shaped lighthouse at the south pier of Sakai Old Port.

Nearby buildings feature giant murals depicting the Portuguese and Spanish fleets entering Sakai Port, exuding a medieval atmosphere. The breakwater is home to a bronze statue of the Dragon Maiden, symbolizing peace and prosperity, beloved by Osaka residents and rebuilt after a century.

The bronze statue of the Dragon Maiden symbolizes peace and prosperity.

Sakai Old Port Lighthouse

Address: 5-1-22 Ohama Kitamachi, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Overlooking the Mozu Tombs from City Hall

Cycle back to Nankai Sakai Station from the lighthouse, then head to the city hall via Daidoji Street, about a 10-minute ride. Park your bike and take the elevator to the 21st-floor observation deck of the city hall, where you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Sakai City for free. The large windows offer views of the port and cityscape, with Kansai Airport visible in the distance. You can also overlook the entire Mozu Tombs, a spectacular sight of mounds rising in the city, including the famous Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun.

The 21st-floor observation deck of the city hall offers a view of the Mozu Tombs, with the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun on the left.

The observation deck also displays an aerial view of the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, a keyhole-shaped tomb measuring 486 meters in length. Among Japan's approximately 160,000 ancient tombs, this one ranks first in length, alongside Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza (350 meters) and China's Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (230 meters), making it one of the world's three largest tombs.

The aerial view of the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, Japan's largest keyhole-shaped tomb. Photo source: Sakai City Tourism Association website

The World's Largest Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun

After viewing from afar, cycle closer to the tombs. The Mozu Tombs cover an area of about 4 kilometers, centered around the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, with 44 smaller tombs surrounding it, making cycling the best way to explore. From the city hall, head to the Mozu Tombs via Ichidori and Kumano Streets, reaching the world's largest tomb, the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, in about 10 minutes.

The Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, built in the 5th century, is about 486 meters long. The editor walked along the moat of the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun, enjoying the serene environment.

Built in the 5th century, the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun is Japan's largest keyhole-shaped tomb, dedicated to Emperor Nintoku. The tomb is surrounded by three moats. While entry is prohibited, the editor cycled around the tomb, enjoying the lush greenery and cool breeze by the moat and torii gate. Volunteers provided detailed explanations of the tomb, which has yielded artifacts such as jars, rectangular stone coffins, swords, armor, glass bottles, and dishes.

Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun

Address: Daisen-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai City

Website: https://www.takenouchikaidou.com/page/nintoku-tenno-ryo-kofun

Daisen Park has over 10 small and medium-sized tombs, ideal for cycling tours. Many people picnic on the lawns near the tombs.

Next to the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun is Daisen Park, covering 38.5 hectares and home to over 10 small and medium-sized tombs. Cycling through the park, you'll find many people picnicking near the tombs. To learn more about the tombs, visit the Sakai City Museum in the park. The museum not only showcases the history of tomb construction but also offers a daily "Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun VR Tour," allowing visitors to experience a 300-meter-high aerial view of the tomb and a computer-animated reconstruction of the tomb's interior.

To learn more about the tombs, visit the Sakai City Museum in the park. The museum features interactive games about the tombs, helping children understand the unearthed artifacts.

Daisen Park

Address: Osaka Prefecture, Sakai City, Sakai Ward, Higashi-Ueno Shibamachi 1-4-3

Website: https://en.osaka-info.jp/spot/daisen-park/

Close-up View of the Richu-tenno-ryo Kofun

The final stop on the cycling tour is the Richu-tenno-ryo Kofun, the third largest keyhole-shaped tomb in Japan, dedicated to Emperor Nintoku's son. The tomb mound is about 365 meters long. The west side of the moat is lined with cherry trees, and the north side has a "viewing spot" offering a close-up view of the rear circular part of the tomb. Standing at the viewing spot, separated by a fence, you can admire the grand tomb within the moat, which feels more intimate than the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun.

Standing at the viewing spot, separated by a fence, you can admire the grand Richu-tenno-ryo Kofun within the moat.

Richu-tenno-ryo Kofun

Address: Ishizugaoka, Nishi-ku, Sakai City

Website: https://www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/en/spot/detail/160