Nintoku Mausoleum

Nintoku Mausoleum Review

The 4th-century mausoleum of Emperor Nintoku is in the city of Sakai, southeast of Osaka. The mausoleum was built on an even larger scale than that of the pyramids of Egypt—archaeologists calculate that the central mound of this site covers 1.3 million square feet. Construction took more than 20 years and required a total workforce of about 800,000 laborers. Surrounding the emperor's burial place are three moats and pine, cedar, and cypress trees. You can walk around the outer moat to get an idea of the size of the mausoleum and the grounds. However, entry into the mausoleum is not allowed. From Tenno-ji Station, take the JR Hanwa Line to Mozu Station (a half-hour ride). From there the mausoleum is within a five-minute walk.