SOUTHERN OSAKA

Southern Osaka, the western gateways to Japan through Kansai International Airport, has a lot to offer including one the three major ancient tombs, beautiful beach, the highest mountain in Osaka and the famous �The Fighting Festival� Kishiwada Danjiri Festival.

Nanshuji Temple

Established in 1557, Nansoji Temple is known for Sen-no-Rikyu, the most famous tea master in Japanese history. He studied the way of tea and started tea ceremony at this temple. The stone garden in Karesansui style is a nationally designated fine garden and San-mon (the main gate), and Kara-mon (the gate in Chinese style) are national designated Important Cultural Properties.

Address: 3-1-2 Minami-hatago-cho Higashi, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka
Access: 8 min walk from Goryomae Station (Hankai Line)
Opening hours:

9:00am - 4:00pm
Admission: 400yen

Sakai HAMONO Museum

Sakai is famous for its knives. About 90% of kitchen knives used in Japan are from Sakai. You can observe the production process of cutlery and learn from the craftsmen how to attach the blade onto the handle. Exhibitions with the displayed items are available for sale as well.

Address: 1-1-30, Zaimoku-cho Nishi, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka
Access: 3 min walk from Myokokujimae Station (Hankai Line)
Opening hours:

10:00am - 5:00pm
Admission: Free

Daisenryo Kofun

Built in 5th century, Emperor Nintoku�s tomb is the largest keyhole-shaped tomb in Japan, measuring approx. 464,000 sqm and approx. 486 meters in length. It is one of the three major ancient tombs along with the Great Pyramid of Khufu and Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. It is an approximately 2.8k walkway around the tomb, which takes an hour to walk around. No entry inside.

Address: 7-1 Daisen-cho, Sakai-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka
Access: 10 min walk from Mozu Station (JR Hanwa Line)

Hamadera Park

Hamadera Park is famous for its beautiful pine trees. There are approx. 5500 trees in the park. There are entertainment facilities, including a swimming pool with a giant slide and a rose garden.

Address: (Hamadera-Koen-cho, Nishi-ku, Sakai City, Osaka
Access: 2 min walk from Hamaderakoen Station (Nankai Line)

Mt Kongo

Mt. Kongo is the highest mountain in Osaka (altitude: 1,125 meters), which stretches along the border of Osaka and Nara prefectures. Near the top are Katsuragi Shrine and Temporinji Temple which En-no-gyoja, the founder of Shugendo, opened in 665. There is also the ruin of Chihaya Castle. There are many hiking routes. Among them, the most popular one is taking the Mt. Kongo Ropeway to the Mt. Kongo Station and visiting Shakunage-no-mich (path of rhododendron), Chihaya Nature and Astronomy Museum, while climbing all the way to the top (1 hour trip). In February, Juhyo Festival is held where you can enjoy beautiful scenery of soft rime (trees glazed with ice).

Address: Chihaya, Chiyaha-akasaka-mura, Minami-kawachi-gun, Osaka
Access: Kawachinagano Station (Nankai Koya Line) - Nankai Bus - Mt Kongo Ropeway Mae Stop - 10 min walk

Chihaya Castle

Chihaya Castle was a Japanese Castle built on Mt Kongo in 1332. Being built on the peak of Mt Kongo made Chihaya Castle mountain fortress which used the naturally difficult terrain to its defensive advantage. Chihaya Castle was constructed substantially of earthworks and wooden structures, however today you can still see some stoneworks such as stairs. Chihaya Castle also featured moveable bridges and was armed with boulders and fallen trees that were rolled down the steep mountain side at any approaching attackers. These defences and counter measures were effectively used against 1333 siege, but failed in 1390 when the forces of Ashikaga shogunate over ran the castle. As Chihaya Castle was substantially made of earthworks it was never actually destroyed as stone castle might be.

Kansai Airport

Kansai Airport is formally known as Kansai International Airport (KIX; 関西国際空港 Kansai-kokusai-kūkō) (commonly incorrectly know as Osaka International Airport) is the main international airport of Japan's Kansai region.

Kansai Airport Departures