I got off at Furuichi station and walked through the local streets. Some areas have nice paths but there were few signs that directed me to the worship place, even though I was fairly close to the mound. I was surprised to see many neighbourhood farms and also fig farms! Although this is the second biggest kofun in Japan, it is the biggest in terms of mass volume because of its height. It was indeed taller than others I’ve seen so I was impressed!
A historical visit that is great to experience. Not much else to see or do there.
A three-tiered keyhole-shaped burial mound from the early 5th century (401-420 AD).
It is the second largest in Japan in both length and volume, after the Daisenryo Kofun.
Only the western side has a double moat (and traces of a third moat have been confirmed). It has revetment stones and a protruding structure.
The mound is approximately 425m long, with a front section 300m wide and 36m high, and a rear circular section 250m in diameter and 35m high.
Why is Emperor Ojin's tomb located here?
On her return from the conquest of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, Empress Jingu gave birth to Emperor Ojin in northern Kyushu. Sensing Prince Oshikuma's plot to seize the throne, the group, with Naniwa in sight, entrusted the fighting to Takenouchi no Sukune and others, and secretly took refuge with the young Emperor Ojin in the area of Tatehara (near the Shikinaisha Tatehara Shrine) in present-day Hirano Ward, Osaka City.
This area was the home of the Ododo clan, close relatives of her father, Prince Okinaga no Sukune. With the help of guards, she decided to return to her hometowns in Omi (her father's) and Echizen (her mother's). She reported her return to her father's grave (ancient burial mound) and showed him her grandson... Even in the midst of a power struggle, Empress Jingu was still human, a mother, and possessed a deeply human side.
After learning that Prince Oshikuma's rebellion had ended, the group left their hometowns, passing through Tatehara. To head to Yamato, where the embers of power struggles still lingered, the young Emperor Ōjin was entrusted to the land of Homuda.
This area, too, was a place of very close blood ties to his father's village, the Okinaga clan, and was inhabited by the Homuda clan, led by Prince Homuda no Mawaka.
Emperor Ōjin was raised under the name Izasawake or Ōtomowake.
(Ignoring the myth of Kehi Shrine) He married into the families of three daughters of Prince Homuda no Mawaka and took the name Homudawake no Mikoto.
*Note: Both Tomo and Homuda have the same meaning, differing only in dialect and era. Perhaps Ōtomowake was used to conceal a different lineage by incorporating Yamato into the name? 🤔
After his enthronement, it is widely believed that he resided at the Karushima Toyoaki Palace, located around present-day Ōkaru-chō, Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture, with the Ōkuma Palace, located around present-day Ōgiri, Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka City, serving as his temporary palace.
After his death... It is said that he was buried in this place, which was significant to him and where he felt the greatest peace of mind.
I visited the Konda Gobyoyama Kofun, also known as the tomb of Emperor Ojin. It's said to be the second largest keyhole-shaped burial mound in Japan (and possibly the largest in volume), after the Daisenryo Kofun (Emperor Nintoku's tomb) in Sakai City. I wanted to experience its overwhelming scale.
The site is beautifully maintained and exudes a solemn atmosphere. However, as it's a sacred tomb, it hasn't been commercialized for tourism, and there wasn't a dedicated parking lot.
Up close, it's so large it looks like a mountain, so walking around might be a bit challenging.
Therefore, I parked my car in the Habikino City Hall parking lot (which was open even on Sunday) and cycled around the Furuichi Kofun Group.
This was a great decision!
Cycling allows for easy maneuverability, and cycling around the gigantic World Heritage burial mounds while feeling the breeze was incredibly refreshing.
It was a wonderful walk where I could truly feel the scale of history.
Konda Gobyoyama Kofun / Emperor Ojin's Tomb (Habikino, Osaka)
◾5Elements Origin
【・Access】
Train: Approx. a 15-min walk from "Hajinosato Station" or "Furuichi Station" (Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line).
Car: Approx. 5 min from the "Fujiidera IC" of the Nishi-Meihan Expressway.
【・Time】
Stay: 15–20 min (for viewing from the front worship area or peripheral paths).
Hours: Open 24 hours (Accessible from public roads anytime).
Note: Admission is free.
【・Outfit】
Footwear: Sneakers or regular walking shoes are fine.
Terrain: The viewing area and the front worship platform are located along paved public streets in a flat residential area.
【・Infrastructure】
Parking: No dedicated parking for the tomb. Visitors must use coin-operated parking lots around Furuichi Station or near the adjacent Konda Hachiman-gu Shrine.
Restrooms: No public restrooms on-site. Facilities are available at nearby parks, Konda Hachiman-gu Shrine, or the train stations.
Accessibility: Mostly barrier-free. The approach to the front worship area and the surrounding roads are flat and paved, allowing smooth access for strollers and wheelchairs.
【・Area Info】
Eat: Small local diners, cafes, and convenience stores are located around Furuichi Station and along the main roads.
Stay: Visitors generally stay in central Osaka (Tennoji/Abenobashi area, approx. 20 min via Kintetsu limited express).
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Honda Gobyoyama Tumulus (Habikino City, Osaka Prefecture)
◾ 5Elements Origin
【・Access】
Train: Approximately 15 minutes on foot from Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line's "Hajinosato Station" or "Furuichi Station".
Car: Approximately 5 minutes from the Nishimeihan Expressway's "Fujiidera IC".
【・Time】
Estimated stay: 15-20 minutes (time required for viewing from the main worship hall and the outer road along the moat).
Visiting hours: 24 hours (open all day as it faces a public road).
Notes: Free admission.
【・Outfit】
Shoes: Regular comfortable sneakers are fine.
Surface: The area around the worship hall and the outer perimeter are flat, paved roads surrounded by a residential area.
【Infrastructure】
Parking: None (There is no dedicated parking lot for the burial mound, so if you are coming by car, please use the coin parking lots around Furuichi Station or the parking lot for visitors of the adjacent Konda Hachimangu Shrine).
Restrooms: None (There are no restrooms on the burial mound grounds, so you will need to use the facilities within the grounds of the adjacent Konda Hachimangu Shrine or around the station).
Accessibility: Basic accessibility. The main worship area and the surrounding road are paved with asphalt without steps, making it easily accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
【Area Info】
Food and Drink: Several restaurants, izakayas, convenience stores, and Japanese confectionery shops are scattered around Furuichi Station and along the main roads.
Accommodation: It is common to stay at hotels around "Osaka Abenobashi Station (Tennoji Station)," which can be accessed in about 20 minutes by Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line semi-express or express train.
