Sumiyoshi Taisha

The head shrine of 2300 Sumiyoshi shrines nationwide, revered as the god of cleansing evil spirits, safe voyage and poetry. It is said that Osaka’s summer festival begins with Aizen Festival, via Tenjin Festival and ends with Sumiyoshi Festival.

The premises is 25 acres with four main halls and 27 smaller halls. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd main halls line up north to south and the 3rd and 4th main halls line up east to west. They are built in Sumiyoshi Style, the oldest shrine design in history. All four main halls are designated as national treasures. The current halls were built in 1810.
There was an interruption in difficult times, but halls have been repaired once in twenty years. In 2011, commemorating the 1800 years since its founding, the 49th new shrine construction and transfer of the gods into the new abodes took place along with a grand festivity.

There are many spots to see on the shrine grounds. The sorihashi, an arched bridge known as Taikobashi, is 20m-long (66 ft) and 3.6m-tall (12 ft) and 5.5m-wide (18 ft). The steepest parts tilt up to 48°. It is said just going across this bridge will chase evil spirits away. At the sacred place, Goshogozen, pick up stones with the letters 五 (five), 大 (big) and 力 (power). Keeping them is believed to make your wish come true. Omokaruishi is popular in the belief that if you make a wish and lift the stone twice and if it feels lighter the 2nd time, your wish will come true. At Sumiyoshi Shinto (holy rabbit), Nadeusagi, visitors rub the rabbit and pray for good health.