Nintoku Tenno Tumulus (Daisen Kofun)

Overview

The Nintoku Tenno Tumulus is located at the heart of the Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It's the largest keyhole-shaped tumulus in Japan. Its overwhelming scale—a total length of 840m and a circumference of 2.7km—truly embodies the grandeur of ancient Japan. Its size is comparable to that of the Pyramid of Khufu in Egypt and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in China, earning it a place among the Three Great Tombs of the World. The tumulus features a three-tiered mound and triple moats. The mound, with its front section facing south, measures approximately 486m in length, 249m in diameter at the rear circular section, approximately 35.8m in height, approximately 307m in width at the front section, and approximately 33.9m in height at the front section. It is estimated to have been constructed over a period of approximately 20 years around the middle of the 5th century. Inside the tumulus is a vertical-shaft stone chamber, believed to be the burial place of Emperor Nintoku. However, whether Emperor Nintoku is truly buried here remains a mystery. The Nintoku Tenno Tumulus is more than just a tomb; it's a crucial historical and cultural heritage site that speaks volumes about ancient Japan. Its grand scale and enigmatic history are sure to captivate you.