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.
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 is designated as the tomb of Emperor Ojin. It is the largest in the Furuichi Kofun Group and the second largest in Japan after Daisenryo Kofun.
As it has not been developed into a tourist destination, the number of visitors is extremely low, and it stands quietly and serenely despite its enormous size.
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.
More about Mausoleum of Emperor Ojin, Habikino from our blog