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.