Visiting the Emperors

Yesterday was a day off.

Well it was suppose to be. But with the weather hitting 25 degree and the sun shinning, we decided to go for a stroll around the neighborhood. We had notice a few mounts and parks near by and thought we should check it out.

Turns out the mount are not park but actual burial mount in a key shape with moat, dating back to 4th century! They are known as the Mozu Necropolis with the biggest Tumilis being right next to our house: Nintokuryo Tumulus. These Tumulis, or emperor burial ground are the third biggest Emperor burial structure after the Kufu Pyramid and the Imperial Tomb of the first emperor of China.

Unfortunately there is really nothing to see.

But just across from the mound, there is a park in which lays a beautiful Japanese garden *200 yen* to visit. We spent an hour there walking around the beautiful setting. It reminded us a lot of the Kanazawa garden.

After walking all around the moat garded mound we ended up in downtown Sakai city. There we went up the Sakai city hall. On the 21 first floor you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the area. From the top, you get to see the Key-shaped burial mound but also Osaka.

We grabbed lunch, did a little shopping and found the biggest Daiso Mart I had ever seen!! Probably about double the one from Harajuku!! As we were shopping, a weirdo started fallowing me around. A creepy foreigners. After loosing him, we walked around some more and made our way home.

We did our laundry, watched TV and planned the next few days.

For those interested in visiting the burial ground, you can take the Nankai subway line from Tennonji and get off at Mikunikaoka station *which also serves the JR line*. Or you can get off at Sakai-Higashi station to go up the city hall building or to grab a walking map from the tourist information center.