Sakai accommodation from NZ$55

Things to Do in Sakai

To grasp the massive size of the kofun, head up to the Sakai City Hall Observatory to have coffee, dessert and a good view. Helpful volunteers give you the scoop on Sakai's history and may even point out the location of your Sakai accommodation in the cityscape if you ask. Keep an eye out for the Nintoku-ryo Tumulus, which should be easy to spot: it's the largest of the keyhole-shaped tombs.

See Nintoku-ryo up close by strolling the promenade on its south and west sides—three moats protect the entire mound. Then visit the adjacent Daisen Park, where you can relax near a lake, Japanese garden and elegant green space. If you arrive in April you'll see more than 400 cherry trees in bloom—but they won't bear fruit, so no snacking! If you can't get enough, hop the train to another green attraction, Hamadera Park, where you'll find rose gardens and pine trees.

Sakai hotels are the perfect home base to enjoy the very modern city…but why not spend some time learning about its past? The Sakai City Museum provides a glimpse of its long history. Head here to learn about the past thousand years, and then visit the nearby Sakai City Cultural Hall, where local art is on display in the Alphonse Mucha Museum.

Getting to & Around Sakai

Sakai has two train stations, making it an easy extension if you’ve already booked Osaka holiday packages. If you can't wait to see the kofun, get started now by booking with Wotif. You're guaranteed a great deal wherever in the world you want to grab a cuppa tea.