豊国神社 Hokuku Jinjia
Is you going to Osaka, a must-stop is Osaka Castle 大阪城, not just for the castle but the ground around it is great to explore. One of the Top Sight being Hokuku Shrine (豊国神社)
Hokuku Shrine is dedicated to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the 3 hero’s who help unify Japan after a long period of total war in 15th century. Hideyoshi become Shogue and made Osaka a very prosperous and wealthy city. And he also set outset a plan out to become a god and be enshrined to ascend to godhood on his passing. Thus we see a statue dedicated to Hideyoshi right in front of Hokuku Shrine gates in Oska castle Ground its very fitting and a must-see
For more info check out Hokuku Shrine website
住𠮷大社 Sumuyoshii Taishia
Sumuyoshii Shrines is a Taishia (大社) meaning is the main base of a group of Shrines, the Sumuyoshii shrines(住𠮷) that have over 2300 shrines across Japan. These shrines are dedicated to the gods of purification, farming and sumou (相撲) . One main sight of this shrine in Sorihashi (反橋), the massive curved bridge you have to cross to get into the ground of the shrine. This bridge has been around since the 16th century and has featured in Several Ukiyo-e 浮世絵 Art prices.
Sumuyoshii Taishia can be accessed by the Nankaikouya line (南海高野線) or Hankai Tramway (阪堺電軌阪堺線) that both go to Shuyoshi station (住吉駅) that right in front of the shrine so you can’t miss in
一寸法師大明神 Doudonbori secret shrine
In Doundonbori just past the Cyuuzai kuidaore building (中座くいだおれビル), there is a small and no so obvious alleyway. This alleyway is home to doudonbori secret shrine, that home to the Issun-bōshi (一寸法師), a 3cm tall tinny Samurai from Japanese fairy tails, who travels Japans rivers in a rice cup. At this little shrine Omikuji (おみくじ) is a must buy. As it’s no ordinary Omikuji, when you put money in the money box, the shrines come to life and sing a funny song, that’s worth the 100 yen.
法善寺 Houzen temple
Another must-visit shrine in Dotonbori is Houzen temple, located in the back alleys of Dotonbori and close by the secret shrine. There are 5 gods enshrined in this temple, with the most notable being the moss-covered Buddhist Statue representing the Buddhist deity Mizukake Fudoson (水掛不動尊) . To pray at this shrine you don’t do the normal clap and bow, but instead, first, you have to splash water over the Status. As water is in its name, as Mizukake(水掛) means watering in Japanese’s. For pawing water over the statue, you can gain good luck, posterity in business and healing of disease.
勝尾寺 Katsuouji, damura land
Katsuou temple, The Victory tail temple, that home to thousands of Daruma （達磨 だるま), is a much visit for anyone wanting to take a break from the big city and go somewhere more natural. The Omikuji おみくじ of Kastuo temple come with little wooden Daruma, that you leave being in the shrine, in case you get a bad luck draw, as you don’t want to take that home with you. But this makes for a very fun treasure hunt and lots of cute photo opportunity
Katsuo temple is in the northern mountains region of Osaka, in a lovely place called Minnoo (箕面市). You can access it by Bus from Senrichuuou Station 千里中央駅 or hike your way there from Minnoo waterfalls, and you may see some monkeys on the way.
I have hiked to this shrine multiple times when I lived in Osaka and if you have the time I recommend you do too. For more on Katsuouji check out the post bellow
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