Shitennō-ji

I visited Shitenno-ji yesterday, and honestly, I was surprised I had never been here before. I studied Japanese more than 20 years ago, lived in Kyoto, and have visited Osaka many times over the years—but this was my first time at Shitenno-ji. If I had known how special this place is, I would have come much earlier. The main hall is absolutely beautiful, featuring Buddhist life stories depicted in an art style that feels subtly Indian-inspired, very different from what you usually see in Japan. The hall at the back, illustrating the journey of Xuanzang (the monk behind Journey to the West), is equally impressive, with delicate and expressive murals. A hidden gem is the Dragon Reflection Well—many visitors only notice the coins at the bottom, but if you look carefully, you’ll see a dragon image reflected in the water, created by the dragon carving on the roof above. A quiet, poetic detail. What moved me most is the temple’s deeper meaning. Shitenno-ji is known as a “temple of the setting sun.” In ancient times, the elevated ground here allowed people to watch the sun set into the sea. It was a place for reflection—reminding visitors that life, too, moves toward its own sunset, and that awareness brings clarity, humility, and peace. A truly underrated temple in Osaka—rich in history, art, and quiet wisdom. Highly recommended.

Visiting Shitennō-ji 四天王寺 was a very good experience. As one of the oldest temples in Japan, it has a strong spiritual atmosphere, and it is known as a place related to Kōbō Daishi. Walking through the temple grounds feels peaceful, and you can really sense the history and religious importance of the site. One of the nice things about Shitennō-ji is that the surrounding area is quite calm and not crowded with tourists. This makes it easier to enjoy the space, take your time, and appreciate the architecture and the quiet environment. The layout of the temple buildings, pagoda, and gardens creates a pleasant space to walk around and reflect. Overall, it’s a lovely place for worship and a gentle escape from the busy parts of Osaka. The calm surroundings and spiritual atmosphere make Shitennō-ji a meaningful and relaxing visit. 🌿✨

Beautiful temple, but some explanation in English could be provided. Also, you need to pay to enter (500 yen per adult), and the temple closes at 16:00 (they actually started closing everything down earlier today). The tower (?) was closed, don’t know if you can go inside normally. You can enter the temple and no one asked anyone to remove shoes or to wear something to cover their legs (I was wearing shorts and so were many other tourists). Inside the temple, no photos are allowed, but it’s definitely worth a visit; it’s very pretty and well kept. Outside, quite a big street market selling mainly books but also artwork, decorative items and souvenirs.

Shitennō-ji greets visitors with a calm, expansive presence—neither cloistered like Kyoto’s temples nor grand in the way of Nara’s ancient shrines. Instead, it embodies a uniquely Kansai kind of serenity, a quiet confidence shaped by centuries of history. Passing through the weathered wooden gate and stepping onto the stone pathway, you feel as if each step draws you deeper into a living timeline. The temple’s layout is dignified and symmetrical. From the lecture hall to the central gate, and finally to the five-story pagoda, the red-and-white structures stand out beautifully beneath the wide blue sky. The pagoda in particular shines with subtle touches of gold, its lines graceful and composed—solemn, yet approachable. It does not overwhelm with grandeur; rather, it invites you to slow down and appreciate its quiet harmony. The pond at the front adds a soft rhythm to the space. Walking along the water’s edge, you see the reflections of the pagoda and drifting clouds ripple gently across the surface, as if time itself is breathing in slow motion. The warm tones of the autumn leaves along the stone railing echo the temple’s deep red beams, creating a tranquil and cohesive scene. What makes Shitennō-ji truly captivating is its balance between the sacred and the urban. Despite being surrounded by modern buildings and steady foot traffic, once you step onto the main axis of the temple grounds, a peaceful clarity settles in. This is not a place where you must sit still to find calm; simply walking, pausing, and observing naturally brings your mind into a quieter rhythm. Whether you’re drawn to historical architecture, searching for a pocket of tranquility within the city, or simply wishing to stroll through a space where past and present coexist gracefully, Shitennō-ji is one of Osaka’s most worthwhile destinations. It is a temple that has endured for over a millennium, yet continues to offer the same gentle, unadorned beauty to everyone who visits.

I had not done any prior research and arrived at the temple in the late afternoon, when it was already closed. What a pity! I was unable to access the main hall, but the exterior is already remarkably beautiful - striking architecture, small ponds, and lovely trees. Everything was very clean and well maintained. The outer grounds are free to visit, while entrance to the interior requires a paid ticket. The site is large, with several access points, and I ended up getting lost and entering through an adjacent cemetery. Upon arrival, I noticed a few local vendors packing up their stalls into their vehicles, suggesting there may be a small local market nearby. I imagine it is connected to the temple and to the historical heritage of Tokyo and Japan. If I return to Osaka, I will definitely plan to visit the interior area as well!

This was one of the most peaceful and beautiful places I visited in Osaka. Founded in 593 AD by Prince Shōtoku, it’s considered Japan’s first officially established Buddhist temple, and even though the current buildings are reconstructions, they still follow the original 6th-century layout. The five-story pagoda stood tall in the center, its red and white beams glowing in the morning sun, while raked gravel and stone paths gave the whole area a calm, timeless feel. We explored the quiet courtyards, admired the elegant wooden halls, and picked up a goshuin stamp to mark our visit. Before leaving, we stopped by a small area filled with rows of red-bibbed Jizō statues - a touching and colorful tribute to protection and compassion.

The temple has entrance fee, but the grounds around it - don't and are quite enough. Not so many tourists as in Kyoto, so it's a pretty calm visit. Most worth notable is they painted the guardians in red and blue - the beginning and ending.

Shitennō-ji, founded in 593 AD by Prince Shōtoku, is considered the first Buddhist temple officially supported by the Japanese state. Dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the Dharma, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt many times; the present complex is a faithful reconstruction completed in 1963. Today, it serves as the head temple of the Wa-shū Buddhist sect. The layout follows a classic continental style: from the south gate, visitors walk along a straight axis leading to the five-story pagoda, then the Kondō (Main Hall), and finally the Kōdō (Lecture Hall), all surrounded by covered corridors. The pagoda is open to visitors — you can climb to the top floor, although the view is limited due to the small symbolic windows. Inside the Kondō, the main Buddha statue is flanked by the Four Heavenly Kings, and the walls are decorated with paintings depicting the life of the Buddha. The Kōdō contains additional statues and narrative murals, reflecting its historical role as a place of study and lectures. Admission to the paid central precinct was 500 yen in December 2025. Photography is allowed only outside the buildings — all interior spaces strictly prohibit taking photos.

Shitennō-ji is one of the main attractions in Osaka. It is classified as national treasure in Japan. The oldest Buddhists temples in the country. It survived multiple wars and changing of emperors. I climbed up the Shitenno-ji Gojunoto (Five Story Pagoda). Shōtoku Taishi (a prince from Asuka era) built the pagoda and vowed to help the everyone from Six Paths (Hell, Hungry Ghost, Animal, Asura, Human and Heaven). The base center of Pagoda buried Buddhist relics and sacred hair. To enter the pagoda, PLEASE TAKE SHOES OFF! I don't recommend for people who have health issues to climb. It's very steep and has very little air. I recommend to stop by "lecture hall". You can enjoy the murals on the wall and pray. Usually the rule is right side in, left side out. It's a spiritual visit for me but it's not for everyone. People enjoy the view, the structural details and the art.

We came to Shitennoji to see all the temples in the area. It is somewhat from the train station, we had to walk a bit during hot summer day. There's a small entrance fee to get the tickets to enter. The premise has some really huge temples. They look amazing. Lots of tourists visit this spot for its spiritual values. It takes about half an hour to an hour to explore the area. Outside of the temple premises there are few more things to explore like stone statues, tombs, and prayer rooms.

Wow this temple is huge. Please note that they close super early at 4pm. So remember to come early. I made it here at 3:55pm. I didn't get to go into the pagoda. There is a charge to go into the pagoda for 300 yen. The rest of the ground is free to roam. There was a section/home of the two princes was under renovation when I was there. Apparently, the story goes that the two princes was transformed or reborn-ed as cats. Yes I did get to meet the two princes. I also ended up getting a stone turtle here as a souvenir. This place is huge. You would need at least an hour. Yes I did end up spending 1 hour here. Got lots of pictures here.

Shiten-nouji temple is located in the middle of urban area in Osaka city. This is near Ten-nouji station of JR lines, Midousuji line and Tanimachi line. It takes approximately 10 minutes by walking from the station. This has very large precincts of the temple. There are many historic buildings, e.g. Kondo main temple, Five-story pagoda, Chumon gate and Nandaimon gate. Especially, Five-story pagoda located at the central precincts is so splendid. And this temple was built by Shotoku Taishi who is very famous historic person in Japan. This temple is the place of many pilgrimages below. (1)1st place of New Saigoku celebrated 33 Kannon temples pilgrimage (2)1st place of Kinki celebrated 36 Fudoson temples pilgrimage (3)1st place of Kawachi Asuka Koji temples pilgrimage (4)1st place of Shotoku Taishi's ruins pilgrimage (5)2nd place in Osaka of 150 shrines and temples pilgrimage (6)4th place of Osaka celebrated 13 temples pilgrimage (7)6th place of Hounen Shonin celebrated 25 temples pilgrimage (8)16th place of Saigoku celebrated 49 Yakushi temples pilgrimage (9)Hoteison of Osaka Shichifukujin pilgrimage (10)Shotoku Taishi of Naniwa 7 happiness pilgrimage (11)25th place of Settsu celebrated 88 temples pilgrimage (12)33rd place of Settsu celebrated 33 Kannon temples pilgrimage (13)Extra place of Seizankokushi celebrated 16 temples pilgrimage (14)Extra place of Shikoku celebrated 88 temples pilgrimage (15)Extra place of Saigoku celebrated 33 Kannon temples pilgrimage (16)Yakugyosha of Yakugyosha pilgrimage We can get "Goshuin" (handwritten sign and stamp of temples and shrines) at here. They have many kinds of Goshuin. If you want them, then you should visit the reception office at the right side by Gokurakumon gate. It is located at the left side from the central temple. They have a list of Goshuin, so we can order to point it. They charge 300 yen per one. Details about Goshuin is below. http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html 四天王寺は大阪市の中心にある寺院です。 最寄り駅はJR線、御堂筋線、谷町線の天王寺駅で、駅からは徒歩で約10分ほどの場所にあります。 この四天王寺はとても大きな寺院です。 境内はかなり広く、中心伽藍、金堂、五重塔、中門、南大門を始めとしてたくさんの歴史的建造物があります。 特に中央にある五重塔はとても立派な建物です。 また、この四天王寺は聖徳太子が建立した寺院とされています。 そして、この寺院は下記のようにたくさんの霊場の札所になっています。 (1)新西国三十三観音霊場 第一番札所 (2)近畿三十六不動尊霊場 第一番札所 (3)河内飛鳥古寺霊場 第一番札所 (4)聖徳太子御遺跡めぐり 第一番札所 (5)神仏百五十霊場 大阪二番札所 (6)おおさか十三佛霊場 第四番札所 (7)法然上人二十五霊場 第六番札所 (8)西国薬師四十九霊場 第十六番札所 (9)大阪七福神霊場 布袋尊 (10)なにわ七幸めぐり 聖徳太子 (11)摂津八十八霊場 第二十五番札所 (12)摂津三十三観音霊場 第三十三番札所 (13)西山国師十六霊場 客番 (14)四国八十八ヶ所霊場 番外札所 (15)西国三十三観音霊場 番外札所 (16)役行者めぐり 役行者 御朱印は中心伽藍の左側にある納経所で頂戴する事が出来ます。 極楽門の右隣です。 この四天王寺の御朱印はとにかくたくさんの種類があります。 納経所で御朱印一覧を見せて頂けるので、欲しい御朱印を指差しでお願いする事が出来ます。 志納金は各々300円です。 一度にたくさん頂けますが、それだけ時間がかかりますので、特に待ち行列が出来ている時は多くをお願いする事は避けた方が良いかと思います。 御朱印については下記のリンク先にまとめてあります。 http://60ee3107.starfree.jp/goshuin.html

This was the best temple we visited throughout our trip to Japan this time around. We came early just to start our day, and we didn't know it didn't open until 8:30 (although it said 8). There are tons of things to see around the temple itself, and it's 400 yen for entry. Once we were in, it was just beautiful. Not crowded AT ALL. Peaceful..just loved the experience. We were able to walk into the main pagoda..and it was a unique experience. The other temple was just wow. Lots of pictures and you're able to kind of imagine what was happening throughout the story. Loved this place!

It is very quiet and peaceful inside Shitennoji, though the buildings have been rebuilt over the time, and it's sometimes considered the oldest administered temple and the first Buddhist in Japan.

Not enough people know about this spot! A great half-day trip here will make you feel like you've left the busy city and entered a Buddhist sanctuary. Only 300 yen to enter the courtyard.

You can't take pictures inside the actual temple! The rule is if you have a roof over your head you can't take a picture. Don't risk it. Japanese don't play. You'll be put in your place. There are very sneaky Japanese hiding in every dark corner just waiting to deliver justice if you pull out that camera!!! DON'T DO IT!!! Very peaceful temple definitely worth the trip. Be prepared to climb stairs. You cannot wear shoes in the tower with the stairs so if yo feet stank or they busted please yelp some foot spas or nail salons before bringing yo "Jurassic Park 1 velociraptor claws tapping on the kitchen floor while the kids are hiding" feet up in here. Or wear socks. This too works. ENJOY!!!

What's great is that, unlike most other temples, you can go inside the six story building. There is a narrow staircase you can take up to the top which is quite lovely. Across, is a small shrine with beautiful paintings of the Buddha and if you're lucky, a monk will chant and perform a brief ritual which is also quite interesting to see.

Most Japan tourists come to Osaka to take a break from marvelous temples of Kyoto and Nara, but Shitenno-ji Temple is still a recommended destination in Osaka! The first true Buddhist temple, Shitenno-ji is a serene complex in the midst of the bustling city scene that is perfect to stroll especially in the early morning. Shitenno-ji Temple is dedicated to its namesake the Four Heavenly Kings, the Buddhist deities whom the emperor prayed for success and won against a rebellion. Though not in its original location, the temple still does not lose its Buddhist tranquility and historical significance. Unlike many notable Buddhist temples in the region, the majority of the complex excluding the main hall and the garden is free to access! Be sure to walk around the main hall whether or not you are planning to pay to go inside to find the many interesting small halls and the large Hall of Perpetual Worship with its ponds full of sunbathing turtles. If you choose to pay, you can access the pagoda that has many primitive Japanese Buddhist wall paintings, the main hall that has one of the earliest Shitenno statues with beautiful wall paintings of Buddha's life, and the lecture hall with two new large statues and colorful wall paintings of a monk's journey to the west to acquire Buddhist texts. Since almost all Osaka attractions open at 10, why not start your morning off with a religious tranquility? Though this is a walk from the closest subway stations, Shitenno-ji Temple is definitely worth checking out! --- tl;dr version 1) First true Buddhist temple in Japan 2) Majority of area is free to access

This is one of the oldest temple in Japan opened by Umayado-oji (Shotoku-taishi). Most buildings are burned by the years and renewed. There are a tower, main hall, and a small pond that has a lot of turtles. This pond is said to be connected to the other temple, Kiyomizu temple and makes waterfall. It's a old story and nobody knows the truth. On 21st every month, the flea market is held in the temple space. That's like a festival and you can find some very old treasures, can't you? 厩戸皇子によって開かれた日本最古の寺の一つ。 すでに当時の建物は全て焼失していますが、鎌倉時代の建物は一部に残っています。 五重塔や本堂などは新しく、むしろ亀池の能舞台が貴重でしょう。 その亀池の水は、そのまま西にある清水寺の池とつながっていると言われていますが、本当のことは誰も知らないでしょう。 毎月21日はお大師さんが開催され、様々な屋台が出ます。 骨董品が見つかるかも？

I used to live very close to here and would often come to walk the grounds to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The outer grounds are pretty plain, but with a small admission fee you can enter the main area that has more artwork and a garden. Of course you have to check out the pagoda - which is amazingly beautiful. This place is maybe not at the top of tourist spot lists so you won't see long tourist lines. (which I liked a lot) You also won't find lots of shops that cater to tourists, so overall it gives you a more authentic experience with the location. ps - The turtles that sit out sunbathing in the pond area are adorable. (^_^)

Shitennoji Temple is steeped with tradition. As one of Japan's oldest Temples, Shitennoji is a very mystical realm, where the boundaries of the living modern world and spiritual landscape merge and become one. There is a great amount of tranquility present here, with it's wonderfully crafted gardens detailing the Amida Buddha's Western Paradise. The treasure house offers a wide array of paintings and scriptures and many of the Buddha and offer a very insightful look into the world of traditional Buddhist practices. It really is a world of spirituality.

Shitennoji Temple is probably one of Osaka's top attractions, but if you've seen the temples in Kyoto, Shitennoji will likely pale in comparison. The pagoda is nice, but the lands surrounding the temple isn't anything special. Cool paintings are housed in one of the buildings. One of the trams take you directly here.

Prince Shotoku is said to have established this temple. It has a vast site in which various halls and a five-storied pagoda stand surrounded by a corridor. Public facilities were established such as the dojo studio of Buddhist practices, the charity dispensary, the medical treatment house, and the house which accommodated persons without their relatives and aged persons. In the same way as the present, I knew it in those days when there were the public facilities which helped people in hardship. A five-storied pagoda is outstanding. It is a must only to see the pagoda. Last year my husband and I come here to see Tanabata festival called "Tanabata no Yube". Tanabata is a Japanese star festival on July 7 to wish for the reunion of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi. On the day we usually decorate bamboo branches with long narrow slips of colored papers on which our hopes are written. There were a long path decorated with bamboos like a tunnel and a Milky Way in the precincts. It was very romantic night!! We crossed under the ornamented and illuminated bamboo tunnel with beating hearts. It was unexpected to perform such a fantastic event in a solemn temple. But the legend of Tanabata comes from China and Buddhism was also introduced through China. If you come here, I would like you to see the Tanabata festival. You will buy a strip of colored paper called Tanzaku. Won't you write your hopes on it?