What other travelers are saying about Isshin-ji Temple
Buddhist temple here. This is difference with Shinto shrine. Buddhist temple let you offer incense and candle to Buddha and Bodhisattva. There’s a kiosk to buy both in temple area.
There’s no amulet for sales but decorated candle and praying beads instead.
Next to the temple, there’s a ten thousands Buddha hall that allow you to offer candle and incense as a path of making merit. You have to go outside the temple gate and walk in the alley next to temple (to the right hand side when you go out of temple).
Candle offering is to float it in a glass. A box of incense is enough to put each in incense pot around the hall. You can’t bring your own candle/incense. Please buy at the hall.
This is quite a peace of mind offering candle and incense while walking around the hall here.
Isshin-ji Temple has a rich history dating back over 800 years. It was founded in 1185 by Hōnen Shōnin, the originator of the Jodo Shu sect of Buddhism. The temple also played a role during the Siege of Osaka Castle in 1614/15, with the famous shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu camping at the compound and restoring the temple.
Isshin-ji Temple is known for its modern architecture, including a contemporary geometric gate made of steel, glass, and concrete, and the Hiso-den building, which resembles a church. The temple also houses unique "Okotsu Butsu" (bone Buddhas) statues made from the ashes of deceased individuals, making it distinct from other Buddhist temples.
"Okotsu Butsu" translates to bone Buddhas. These statues at Isshin-ji Temple are cast from resin and the deceased's ashes. The practice began in 1887 when the first statue was brought to the temple. The statues are created every ten years, each incorporating thousands of individuals' ashes. This tradition is a way of honoring the dead and keeping them close to Buddha.
Yes, Isshin-ji Temple is almost entirely funded by visitors. Contributions from visitors play a significant role in the temple's maintenance and operations.
Visitors can see the Sanzen Butsudō, a building with a large tempera mural of Amida, Kannon, and Seishi, said to be the largest in the world. The outside of the meeting area is adorned with golden representations of Buddha and 12 special guardians incorporating the zodiac animals. The temple's modern gate and the Hiso-den building are also must-see attractions.
Charming temple, but inside is only for those praying and making offerings. The exterior is beautiful enough though and it’s interesting to watch locals go there, light their incense and make a prayer. I was worried because I wasn’t planning this visit and I was wearing shorts, but no one told me anything (I stayed outside, though).
Isshin-ji Temple is on a smaller site, not far from a main part of Osaka. I happened to come across the temple by chance. On the occasion I visited, the temple and surrounding grounds were busy but tranquil. It was impeccably clean and well looked after. I enjoyed coming to see the temple.
Visited in July recently after Tennoji park as it was nearby.
Interesting temple especially the figures guarding the main entrance and those embossed on the gate
