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Shitenno-ji Temple

Name: Shitenno-ji Temple
Address: 1-chōme-11-18 Shitennōji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0051, Japan
Rating: 4.3

4.3 (200)・Tourist Attraction・Place Of Worship・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Shitenno-ji Temple, founded in 593 AD by Prince Shotoku, is a significant Buddhist temple and one of Japan's oldest in Osaka. This temple is dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings, guardians of Buddhism. Its historical and cultural importance makes it a key site in Japanese heritage.

The temple's layout follows the original design from over a millennium ago, featuring a central courtyard surrounded by key structures. The five-story pagoda is a highlight, allowing visitors to climb and explore each level. The main hall, Kondo, is another focal point, housing important Buddhist statues and artifacts.

One of the temple's remarkable features is the Gokuraku-jodo Garden, designed to represent the Buddhist paradise. The garden's serene ponds and carefully placed stones create a tranquil atmosphere ideal for reflection and meditation.

Shitenno-ji Temple hosts various events throughout the year, including the Doya-Doya Festival in January, where young men compete in a lively event to touch sacred objects for good fortune. The temple also celebrates seasonal events, with the cherry blossom season in spring drawing large crowds to admire the blossoms.

The Treasure House within the temple complex holds an impressive collection of historical artifacts, including ancient scriptures, sculptures, and ceremonial items. These exhibits provide insight into Japan's religious and cultural evolution.

Hours:

8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (April to September)

*21st of each month 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (October to March)

*21st of each month 8:00 - 4:30

Closed:

No closing days

Available:

All Year

Minimum Age:

All ages are welcome

Admission Fee:

Central Temple:

300 yen (Adults)

200 yen (university and high school)

Treasure Museum:

500 yen (Adults)

300 yen (university and high school)

Honbou Japanese Garden:

300 yen (Adults)

200 yen (university and high school)

Hours

Monday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Thursday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Saturday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Phone

+81 6-6771-0066

Website

www.shitennoji.or.jp

The area

Address

1-chōme-11-18 Shitennōji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka, 543-0051, Japan

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What other travelers are saying about Shitenno-ji Temple

I like this place. It’s less crowded comparing to other shires/temples in either Tokyo or Kyoto. It’s not small either if you go through it completely. There is a trade off, the temple’s architecture is less complicated than those famous temples in Tokyo and Kyoto but it’s still a great place worth to spend a visit.

Richie Bird

Nov 26, 2024

It's very quiet compared to the other shrines/temples in the country and was an awesome experience. There's a lot of history behind it and very peaceful temples within the complex. There's an entry fee but it's not crowded. The main temple is wonderful. You can climb to the top of the tower up a narrow staircase.

Viroop Narla

Oct 15, 2024

Beautiful and well maintained Buddhist shrine and temple. The tower at the center can be visited (without shoes) but I was a bit disappointed by its content. The rest of the buildings contains wonderful idols of Buddha and well decorated walls. Worth the entrance fees, be beware, your ticket only gives you access to one site out of the 3 printed on it. We were refused at the museum entrance because we thought it was a ticket for the 3 places. (Our bad, out the translation is wrong somehow) The free area worth the visit as well.

Geoffrey Crofte

Oct 5, 2024

A beautiful set of temples in a historical complex that was very well maintained. There's the main tower where you can walk up five floors but disappointingly there was no major view nor main scenery at the top. Worth to go for the temples and statues if you're in the area. I wish there were signs explaining what each section was, however.

Claudio Lener

Sep 27, 2024

I got there by getting off at the Tennoji Station. From there it's a 10 minute walk north-east. I visited the temple on the 22nd of September and so the flea market was setup on the periphery of the temple grounds The temple was well worth visiting especially if you pick up a bargain. It made for a very enjoyable morning. At the market there were clothing vendors, people selling games for gaming consoles. There was even a person selling used cameras, lenses, etc