Sumiyoshi Taisha

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Sumiyoshi Taisha

The head shrine of 2300 Sumiyoshi shrines nationwide. Famous for Sumiyoshi Festival in summer.

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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.

Highlights

  • The head shrine of 2300 Sumiyoshi shrines nationwide, known for the Sumiyoshi Festival.
  • All four main halls are designated as national treasures.
  • The steepest parts of Taiko Bridge tilt up to 48°. It is said just going across this bridge will chase evil spirits away.
  • A sacred spot Goshogozen is said to help dreams come true.
  • Omokaruishi is another popular spot.

Photos

  • The First Main Hall

    The First Main Hall

  • The shrine grounds

    The shrine grounds

  • The sorihashi, arched bridge

    The sorihashi, arched bridge

  • Omokaruishi

    Omokaruishi

  • Goshogozen

    Goshogozen

  • Sumiyoshi Shinto (holy rabbit)

    Sumiyoshi Shinto (holy rabbit)

Reviews

4

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  • 賴星

    This is one of the biggest parks in Osaka. It's great for taking photos and going for a walk.

  • 陳淑貞

    The grounds are really spacious, and there are all kinds of sacred trees and historical sites. Super impressive.

  • 簡龍

    If you find stones with the characters for 'five,' 'big,' and 'power' carved on them, it's said your wishes will come true. Put them in a charm bag as a keepsake.

  • 薰薰

    They say crossing the Taiko Bridge here brings good luck and wards off bad fortune. What's unique is that the torii gate pillars are square instead of round.

Details

Name in Japanese
住吉大社
Postal Code
558-0045
Address
2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka
Tel
06-6672-0753
Holidays
Free to walk on the grounds any time
Hours
Outer gate: 6:00am - 4:00pm, Mikakiuchi (the Sacred ground): 6:00am - 5:00pm (between Oct and March, they open at 6:30am)
*On the 1st day and the first day of the dragon zodiac each month, opens at 6:00am.
Admission
Free
Directions
1) from Nankai Main Line, Sumiyoshi-Taisha Station, walk 3 min.
2) from Nankai Koya Line, Sumiyoshi-Higashi Station, walk 5 min.
3) from Hankai Tramway, Hankai Line, Sumiyoshi-Toriimae Station, walk a few min.
Official Website
Official Website (English)