{"id":65011,"date":"2020-06-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=65011"},"modified":"2021-05-06T10:18:03","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T01:18:03","slug":"osaka-temples-shrines-surprising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/osaka-temples-shrines-surprising\/","title":{"rendered":"Power spots in Japan: Temples and Shrines of Osaka That Will Surprise You"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Osaka<\/a> is famous across Japan for its delicious cuisine<\/a>, vibrant nightlife, and friendly people.<\/strong> It\u2019s a crazy city full of neon lights, posters and facades with singular decorations and street food stalls. But, unlike the neighboring Kyoto, Osaka is not particularly known for its temples and shrines.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We’re used to see images of the crowded and bustling streets of Namba<\/strong>, Shinsekai<\/a>\u2019s retro-futuristic atmosphere<\/strong>, the endless streets crammed with local shops in Tenjinbashi<\/strong> or Umeda\u2019s massive department stores<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, there\u2019s also a traditional side to the city. Its beautiful castle <\/a>surrounded by cherry blossoms in Spring and its many shrines and temples evoke a feeling of a more classical Osaka.<\/strong> And, as a lover of Japan’s traditional culture<\/a>, I wanted to uncover that unknown side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But instead of visiting its well-known classic spots, I decided to seek out other places that are keepers of the singular and eccentric essence of the city<\/strong>. Some of these places are so unusual, not even Osakans are aware of them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I invite you to discover these special and unique temples and shrines in Osaka, with some surprising features that make them stand out from the rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Around an eight-minute walk from the bustling Namba<\/strong> streets, you can find one of the most unusual Shinto shrines of the city: Namba Yasaka (\u96e3\u6ce2\u516b\u5742\u795e\u793e).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recently it has become popular on Instagram, with many people coming here to take pics or selfies in this photogenic spot and posting them on their social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main distinctive feature is the building shaped like an enormous lion’s head <\/strong>(called Ema-den<\/em>), although it reminds me of a dragon. Inside its mouth, there is a small shrine where local people pray for good luck and long-lasting prosperity<\/strong> in business and school. It is said that the open mouth will swallow the bad luck and the negative spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although I had already seen some pictures before coming here for the first time, I was amazed by its huge dimensions<\/strong>: 12 meters (39 feet) tall and 11 meters (36 feet) wide. The lion\u2019s fangs are enormous and its gaze is particularly penetrating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the lion\u2019s right side, is the shrine\u2019s main hall building<\/strong> which I find particularly beautiful because of the contrast between its white facade and its green roof. Next to the hall, there is a small shop where you can buy the shrine\u2019s lucky charms. Also, you can buy a unique ema<\/em> (a small wooden plaque for writing prayers or wishes) or an omikuji<\/em> to find out your fortune.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next shrine, Tsuyu no Tenjinja (\u9732\u5929\u795e\u793e), better known among locals as Ohatsu Tenjinja<\/strong> or Tsuyuten<\/strong>, is located near another one of Osaka\u2019s main tourist spots. It is 10 minutes away from Umeda<\/strong>, one of the biggest shopping districts of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At first, I struggled to find the shrine\u2019s access, but I finally discovered a small gate among bars and restaurants<\/strong> in a street notably popular among the Japanese people for having drinks after work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend visiting this place at night<\/strong> because besides the lively neighborhood atmosphere, the shrine is illuminated after sunset<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tsuyuten, one of the oldest shrines and temples in Osaka, harbors a tragic love story <\/strong>over 1300 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The main characters of this tale are Tokubei<\/strong>, a trader apprentice and his lover Ohatsu<\/strong>, a prostitute working in a tea house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their story is a combination of family pressures, money issues and a friend\u2019s betrayal. These circumstances prevent the young lovers\u2019 romance, who find themselves unable to stay together in spite of their love. Therefore, they decide to end this tragic situation by committing suicide in the forest that once surrounded Tsuyuten shrine.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nowadays, Tsuyuten is a popular spot among young couples<\/strong> or people longing to find their true love<\/strong>. You can find references to this tragic love story in every nook and cranny within this shrine.<\/strong> There are many statues and images of the young couple and even an altar dedicated to love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to discovering the lovers\u2019 legend, one of the things that surprised me was the ema<\/em> plaques of Tsuyuten. A geisha\u2019s head is painted on them, representing Ohatsu, but her face is left blank<\/strong>. Many young Japanese girls often come to Tsuyuten<\/strong> to paint Ohatsu\u2019s face and write their wishes on the opposite side of the plaque. There are many funny and original designs<\/strong> of the heroine, giving the shrine its nickname, Ohatsu Tenjinja.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only ten minutes away from Umeda<\/strong>, after an easy train trip, we arrive at Himejima station<\/strong>, which has the same name as the shrine that we\u2019re about to discover. This sacred spot is located around seven minutes on foot from the station<\/strong>, in a peaceful residential area.<\/p>\n\n\n\nYasaka Namba shrine in Namba, Osaka<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tsuyu no Tenjinja Shrine in Umeda, Osaka<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Love Suicides of Tsuyuten<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Himejima Shrine in Himejima, Osaka<\/h2>\n\n\n\n