A Trip Exploring the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group
Hi everyone! I’m history lover, George! And this is Mica! So, George wants to see something in Osaka today, that is why we are here at the “Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center”! So, George, what do you want to see? Well, I am so exited to visit the world heritage site, Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group!
Now these two areas can be devided into two general locations the Mozu area in Sakai City and the Furuichi area in Habikino City and Fujidera City. And there are many ancient mounded tombs in these areas. But seems like you are not that interested. Yeah… since it’s my first time visiting in Osaka,
I’d rather eat the famous Takoyaki than seeing the tombs. But wait, look! Look at this video! Okay… Oh… it’s so pretty! Right? It looks amazing! Okay, let’s go! If you say so then… let’s go! And we’ll have Takoyaki later! Ok! Before we go to see it,
Let me give you a brief explanation of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group! The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group contains 49 ancient mounded tombs built from the late 4th century to the late 5th century and is the World Heritage site. The King’s clan and the clan’s affiliates from each era are buried in these tombs.
I think the tombs with a “ keyhole ” shape are the most well-known. There are many other shapes, and the Kofun Group contains both large and small tombs. Wow. There are all kinds of different ancient tombs. Now that you mention it, I’d only heard of the keyhole shaped once before.
How big are the large tombs? For example, Nintoku Tenno-ryo Kofun, which is one of the largest tombs in the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, is also one of the three largest tumuli in the world. It is longer than both the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor.
In other words, it’s the longest in the world! Amazing! But why did it need to be so big? Building large burial mounds was probably a way to show off one’s power. Size and power… this is the same everywhere in the world. However, at the time these ancient tombs were created,
Japan had a lot of exchange with the Asian continent, including diplomatic relations with the areas now known as China and South Korea. It seems that many people visited Japan. Not only that, it was an era when powerful warlords were fighting for control of the Asian continent. This amazing country is right here! Supposedly.
That’s the message they were trying to send, hoping to gain an advantage in their diplomatic relations with various countries. Did people travel back and forth in those days? It’s quite far, isn’t it? At that time, of course, people traveled back and forth by boat.
It’s hard to tell now that the topography has changed, but it seems that large kofun were often built along the sea or rivers so that they could be seen from ships. The locations of the ancient tombs are broadly divided into two locations, the “Mozu Area” and the “Furuichi Area.”
Currently, we are in the Mozu area. You can come here from either Kansai Airport or Shin Osaka, so it’s conveniently accessible. From JR Kansai Airport Station, it’s convenient to take the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service train bound for Tennoji, transfer to the JR Hanwa Line at JR Otori Station, and get off
At JR Mozu Station. It’s about 50 minutes total. If you are coming from Shin-Osaka Station, take the JR line from Shin-Osaka Station and get off at Osaka Station. Change to the Kansai airport or Kishu Rapid Express and get off at Mikunigaoka station. change to the local train and arrive at
JR Hanwa Line Mozu Station in about 50 minutes total. You can easily reach the Mozu area world heritage site within an hour from Kansai International Airport or Shin-Osaka Station! Wow, this is so amazing! The 8K aerial footage is such on a big screen! Definitely you should check it out before seeing the tombs.
I’m so excited! When looking around the various ancient tombs in the Mozu area, renting a bicycle seems like a good idea. Why don’t we try touring it using a bicycle? Sure! Let’s go! So there are over 40 ancient tombs in the Mozu area, but it’s little difficult to visit in just one day,
So today I’d like to visit three on one of the recommended cycling courses. I’m really looking forward to it. But please don’t forget the takoyaki! I’m really getting hungry! Okay, Don’t worry. Look, this is Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun! Seeing it like this, it feels kind of solemn… Huh? Mica? Wow… it’s huge..
But I’m getting a little bit hungry… Wow! It’s a keyhole shape! It’s good! Is it? So, around 1955, the Itasuke Kofun was nearly demolished for a construction project. But the citizens around here formed protest movement. you can still see the remains of the construction project teard with the bridge girders. Okay…
I’m so glad that it was not destroyed by the construction at that time, so I was able to see it like this. Anyway.George… I’m hungry! OK! I’ve brought the perfect thing! I secretly bought some near Mozu Station! What is this!? This is a castella cake in the shape of a kofun, or Kofutera!
This is called kofutera? It is so tasty, it’s good! And look! The Itasuke Kofun is so beautiful too! A beautiful view! You know what? I think I can have five more of this! There you go! Okay! Thank you! This is the Nisanzai Kofun! It’s really rich in natural scenery and aquatic creatures.
Just beautiful! They say this spot here is one of the best picturesque spots for pictures and scenery of all of the Mozu-Furuichi area. Yeah, it’s certainly so beautiful! But, George… I’m hungry！ You just had Kofutera! Well let’s go to Hajinosato station to head to the Furuichi area.
The root from JR mozu station to Hajinosato station on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line seems to go via Tennoji Station. Once we get to Tennoji Station, it’s just a short walk to Osaka-Abenobashi Station, and from there it seems like taking the semi-express train will get us to Hajinosato quickly! It takes about 45 minutes!
It’s nice to be able to get there in less than an hour! So, we’ve arrived! Oh! There is a green hill in front of me… could that be… Well, it’s amazing. You come out to take the gate, and there is the World Heritage Site! And this is Nabezuka Kofun!
Wow! The people live so close to the kofun! It’s amazing, isn’t it? And apparently near here, there is some bike rentals we can do. Oh! I can ride the bike again? Would you think? Wow, that’s amazing! What’s this?! This is Ojin-Tenno-ryo Kofun, the largest kofun in the Furuichi area! Wow… it’s so big!
Quiet, with an incredible sacred atmosphere! It’s very refreshing cycling here. And you know, I just realized that I’ve been getting a huge fun of the kofun actually. This is the rooftop of Habikino City Hall! It’s really nice to be able to see the view from above of the Furuichi Kofun Group!
And this one here is the Hakayama Kofun! Wow that’s amazing like this tomb has a different view from above! And this rooftop also has the view of everything. you can see everything from here. Now, this is Chuai-tenno-ryo-Kofun It’s actually the third largest kofun in the Furuichi area.
And in the Muromachi period, this was used as fortress. Fortress!? I can’t imagine there was a castle there… I know. It’s really amazing how everyone… each place has its own unique story too. I wonder what it looked like. Actually, there is one thing I really like to try it… it’s Kofun Curry!
Kofun Curry? Umm.. I am curious. It’s not takoyaki, but since we’re already here, let’s go try some! Let’s try it! Yeah, let’s go! Wow! This is the Kofun Curry! The rice is shaped like a tomb! Looks delicious. It reminds me of the many ancient tombs we visited today.
I know.I’m so glad that we could vist so many of them today. I’m so excited to have… Looks amazing! spicy. Look at that. You know, this is the Minegazuka Kofun. Swords and accessories made of gold and silver were found inside. You can see that made this whole area here just like a park,
So in the spring time, the cherry blossoms.. It’s really beautiful. I guess so… yeah.. Really! Uh-huh.. Actually, I’ve got one thing Sorry. Sorry. can we just go that administartion building down there? I’ve just got one thing. Minegazuka… I understand you would like a card. Please wait.
I will give you this card. Yes!! I’ve finally got a complete set! This on my third visit to the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group. So if you take a photo of each area and show the staff, you can get all of these cards total of 67. Complete!! Yes!! Congratulations! Thank you very much!
Now, we present you with a complete card. I’ve got my complete card. that’s great for you! This is a lifelong learning center that has archeology and history museum facilities And the name AICEL is an acronym for Activity, Information, Consultation, Exchange, and Learning. You can see the distinctive features here the haniwa ship
And the sled used to carry the stones. Interesting shape! Yeah, it certainly has a unique shape! Look at this here. Designated as an important cultural properties these three.. Wow… that’s facinating. This is the Sawada Hachiman Shrine. And it’s famous for the train tracks right through its ground. So supposedly in the Taiso era,
They didn’t want to demolish the burial mounds so they just like went through the grounds of the shrine. That’s amazing. Let’s go inside. Okay. Having a rail load inside a shrine is so mythical. So this is Komuroyama Kofun and we are actually standing right on top.
And this is a fantastic place for a picnic. Really is. I agree. This ancient tomb really has a local vibe. And it’s also registered as the world heritage site. Isn’t it amazing? Yeah. Now you’ve been waiting all day? Takoyaki!! Perfect! Do you wanna have a picnic? Yes! Okay, Let’s go. We got it!
My takoyaki! Yes! Just a wonderful place to enjoy…. So, today we spent a day touring the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group and I was really amazed by the culture and the history… and the traditions of all the ancient tombs that we saw. How was it for you, Mica?
Well touring the ancient tombs were really fascinating. The history and the story surrounding the area were really interesting. But what I really enjoyed the most is seeing the lives of the people living near the area. That’s true. I mean they’re so intertwined with the mounded tumbs.
If you don’t mind, would you like to see the rest again tomorrow? Really? Oh I’d love too! Really. Tomorrow? Yeah, but you have to bring me delicious food. Okay! No problem. I would definitely do that. Great! Okay! Let’s go.
大阪府に世界遺産があるのをご存知ですか？
Have you ever heard of the Mozu and Furuichi Kofun Tumulus Group?
大阪にある古墳群で、2019年にユネスコの世界遺産に登録されました。
They are ancient tumulus clusters located in Osaka and were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.
2人のナビゲーターが自転車で百舌鳥・古市エリアを探訪。古墳はもちろん、百舌鳥・古市エリアの歴史的建造物や、美術館、グルメ、美しい景色を満喫する、魅力満点のサイクリングの旅をご紹介します。
The two navigators explore the Mozu and Furuichi area by bicycle. The video introduces cycling trip to fully enjoy the historical buildings, museums, gourmet food, and beautiful scenery of the Mozu and Furuichi area, not to mention the ancient Kofun.
百舌鳥・古市古墳群に関する詳しい情報を知りたい方はこちら↓
https://www.mozu-furuichi.jp/
For more Kofun information and videos, check out the website↓
https://www.mozu-furuichi.jp/en/
【登場スポット / What’s in the video?】
00:00 百舌鳥古墳群ビジターセンター / Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center
01:09 オープニング / Opening
01:25 百舌鳥古市古墳群の歴史と概要 / History and Overview of Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group
03:43 百舌鳥エリアへのアクセス / How to access to Mozu Area
04:55 百舌鳥古墳群ビジターセンター / Mozu Mounded Tombs Visitor Center
06:07 仁徳天皇陵古墳 / Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun
06:30 堺市茶室 伸庵（しんあん） / Sakai Tea Room Shinan
07:09 いたすけ古墳 / Itasuke Kofun
07:37 いたすけ公園・コフテラ / Itasuke Park, Kofutera
08:10 サイクリングコース（百舌鳥エリア） / Cycling Routes (Mozu Area)
08:22 ニサンザイ古墳 / Nisanzai Kofun
08:52 百舌鳥エリアから古市エリアへのアクセス / Access from Mozu area to Furuichi area
09:27 土師ノ里駅・鍋塚古墳 / Hajinosato Station,Nabezuka Kofun
10:08 応神天皇陵古墳 / Ojin-tenno-ryo Kofun
10:48 羽曳野市役所・墓山古墳 / Habikino City Hall, Hakayama Kofun
11:12 仲哀天皇陵古墳 / Chuai-tenno-ryo Kofun
11:50 古市古墳群カレー / Furuichi Kofungun Curry
12:17 峯ケ塚古墳 / Minegazuka Kofun
12:46 時とみどりの交流館・MOZU-FURU CARD / Toki to Midori no Koryukan, MOZU-FURU CARD
13:20 アイセルシュラホール 生涯学習センター / AICEL Shura Hall
13:52 澤田八幡神社 / Sawada-hachiman Shrine
14:28 サイクリングコース（古市エリア）/ Cycling Routes (Furiochi Area)
14:50 古室山古墳 / Komuroyama Kofun
#japan #travel #worldheritagesite #osaka #大阪 #観光 #世界遺産 #旅行