Namba Yasaka Shrine

If you visit just one shrine in the Namba district, make it Namba Yasaka Shrine (Namba Yasaka-jinja). Its enormous lion head-shape building and cherry blossom trees dotted around the shrine grounds make it one of Osaka’s most distinctive places of worship.

Namba Yasaka Shrine - image © Florentyna Leow

Located a short 5-minute walk from the popular shopping complex Namba Parks, Namba Yasaka Shrine is a nice escape from the consumerist chaos of this district. The original buildings have been lost to air raids and fires, so the shrine buildings you’ll see here are primarily post-war reconstructions. There are cherry blossom trees dotted around the shrine grounds, and it’s a reasonably popular place with visitors during springtime.

Namba Yasaka Shrine - image © Florentyna Leow

While the shrine itself isn’t all that large, it’s the 12-meter tall, 11-meter wide lion head-shaped building that’s the main draw here. Why a lion? Apparently, the huge open mouth will swallow any evil spirits plaguing you, leaving you only good luck for succeeding in business or school-related ventures.

Namba Yasaka Shrine - image © Florentyna Leow

Besides the cherry blossom season, the best time to visit this shrine is on the third Sunday of January. On this day, you’ll witness a giant Tug-of-War Ritual, in celebration of the god Susano-ono-Mikoto who killed the serpent god Yamato-no-orochi and freed the Japanese people from hardship. It’s an impressive thing to watch, and raucous good fun all around.

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Destination

Check-in date

Sat 12 Oct 2024

Check-out date

Sun 13 Oct 2024

English name:
Namba Yasaka Shrine

Japanese name:
難波八阪神社

English address:
2-9-19 Moto-machi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, 556-0016

Japanese address:
〒556-0016 大阪市浪速区元町2-9-19

Opening hours:
24h

Admission:
Free

Nearest Transport:
Subway and Train: 6-minute walk from Namba Station.

Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Namba Yasaka Shrine on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Telephone:
+81-6-6641-1149

Website:
Official Website (Japanese)

Near To Here:
Namba Yasaka Shrine is located in Osaka's Central district. See our complete list of things to do in Central Osaka, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.

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