Namba Yasaka Shrine

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Namba Yasaka Shrine

This is a shrine with a lion-headed shrine pavilion that has a great impact, and is a shrine for improving one's luck in the game.

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Head Editor : Namba Yasaka Shrine

”Namba Yasaka Shrine”, located in the Namba area of Minami in Osaka, is a historic shrine said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Nintoku (313-399).

The first thing that catches the eye as one enters the shrine grounds is the "Shishiden" (lion's head hall), which stands to the west of the main hall. As the name suggests, the exterior is shaped like a lion's head. It was built in 1974 (Showa 49), when the main hall was rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in an air raid in Osaka, in the motif of a lion dance that had been popular in the area since ancient times to ward off evil spirits, in order to "surprise Osaka people with something as a symbol of the shrine". The lion dance is 12 m high, 11 m wide, and 10 m deep, and can be seen from outside the torii gate on the east side of the shrine. It is said to increase one's luck to win, and visitors from all over Japan and abroad come to the shrine to pray for academic improvement, success in school, and prosperous business.

In addition to the lights in the eyes that light up during summer festivals and New Year's, the ceiling is hand-carved with phoenix carvings, each one with a different pattern. This is also a must-see.

Highlights

  • The shrine is said to be approximately 1,700 years old.
  • The shrine is famous for its Shishiden (lion's head hall), which was built in conjunction with the reconstruction of the main shrine building.
  • The 12-meter-high lion's head is a striking feature of the exterior of the shrine.
  • The shrine is believed to bring good luck in the game and attracts many visitors from Japan and abroad.

Photos

  • The phoenix carving in the lion's mouth is also a must-see.

    The phoenix carving in the lion's mouth is also a must-see.

  • The god of worship, Susanoo-no-mikoto's spirit is enshrined.

    The god of worship, Susanoo-no-mikoto's spirit is enshrined.

  • Main shrine

    Main shrine

Official FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions have been vetted and answered directly by each listing.

Q

Do you have signs or pamphlets in foreign languages? (If you do, which languages are available?)

A

English digital signage information and English brochures are available.

Q

Is parking available?

A

Not available.

Q

Do you have shrine’s red ink stamps?

A

Yes.

Reviews

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  • The lion's head has its mouth wide open—it's said to swallow evil spirits and bring good luck to visitors.

  • The lion's head has its mouth wide open—it's said to swallow evil spirits and bring good luck to visitors.

  • Namba Yasaka Shrine is a small shrine in a residential area. As soon as you enter the gate, you can see the huge lion's mouth—it's even bigger and more impressive than I expected! This shrine is said to ward off bad luck and bring good fortune!

  • At Namba Yasaka Shrine, during the summer festival, they have lion dances and other performances as offerings. The lion's eyes light up, and there are speakers in its nose for stage shows. It's a really unique festival!

  • Namba Yasaka Shrine isn't very big, but I always come here to pray for academic success and good job opportunities. I also make sure to buy the limited-edition Namba Yasaka Shrine omamori. The lion head design and the love carp are must-buys too!

Details

Name in Japanese
難波八阪神社
Postal Code
556-0016
Address
2-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka
Telephone
06-6641-1149
Closed
Open every day
Business Hours
6:00am - 5:00pm
*Award office (amulet, red seal, etc.) 9:00am - 4:50pm
Admission
Free
Access
1) 7-minute walk from JR Namba Station on JR Yamato Line
2) 8 min. walk from Nankai Main Line Namba Station
Credit Cards
Not accepted
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)