Tsuyunoten Shrine (Ohatsu Tenjin)

A shrine for love and academic luck! There were so many Japanese women there, so I figured a lot of people came with serious feelings about love :) I also saw someone who looked like a parent touching the cow statue, probably praying for their child’s studies. The omikuji (fortune slip) was pretty unique too — you had to dip it in water to reveal the message! But... before I could even translate it, the ink started to blur, and my camera couldn’t read the text 🥲 I have no idea if it was good or bad luck, but I decided to believe it was good and brought it back to Korea with me ❤️🥹 -BOFF

If Shakespeare had been born in Osaka, he wouldn’t have written Romeo and Juliet. He would’ve told the story of Ohatsu and Tokubei, two doomed lovers who took the ultimate exit stage left… and somehow became the mascots of one of the most cheerful love shrines in Japan. Nestled in Umeda — right between salaryman sushi bars and karaoke dens — Tsuyuno Tenjinsya is a technicolor fever dream of heart-shaped ema (wish plaques), fluttering lanterns, and fox statues that look like they’ve seen some things. This place doesn’t just celebrate love. It commits to it like a rom-com montage on a sugar high. You walk under archways of pink and green paper flowers, flanked by rows of red banners and hundreds of tiny wooden hearts scribbled with love confessions, exes to forget, and thirsty dating prayers. The vibes? Somewhere between spiritual devotion and pastel Instagram trap. There’s a bronze statue of Ohatsu and Tokubei, sitting side by side in their kimono, looking like they just dropped the hottest breakup album of the Edo period. And don’t miss the “Lover’s Sanctuary” plaque, which is basically the temple equivalent of your friend’s wedding hashtag. Also spotted: a chill reclining cow statue (10/10 energy), a mirror-polishing dragon fountain, and what I swear was a romantic fox dojo. This place is Osaka’s love shrine with a flair for drama and flair for flair. It’s poetic. It’s adorable. It’s maybe a little haunted. Whether you’re boo’d up or flying solo, this place is a sweet (and weirdly moving) stop.

A shrine dedicated to love inspired by the tale of two lovers which has an interesting and tragic story told within the temple. A cool shrine found in the city center of Osaka which is a nice change of pace from all the tall buildings offering visitors a place to relax and rest the mind. Being a love themed shrine, you will be able to see love incorporated throughout the shrine grounds and merchandise while being able to pray for a good love life. Goshuins are available at this shrine which has the love motif incorporated in the stamp. Overall highly recommend for as a pitstop in your journey exploring Osaka!

An aesthetic shrine near osaka umeda station, where there are machine with figurines choosing the omikuji for you. I wanted to get some souvenirs but it is too early.