Osaka's Namba Yasaka Shrine: Home of the Majestic Lion Head and Rich Traditions
Osaka is the central city of western Japan with a population exceeding 8 million. While it is a major metropolis lined with high-rise buildings and commercial facilities, it also preserves many historical structures such as ancient burial mounds (massive tombs built from the 3rd to 7th centuries) and temples and shrines.
Osaka is also famous as a city overflowing with humor, with jokes that make you laugh scattered throughout the city. This time, we will introduce the highlights and history of Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine, which has gained popularity for its particularly unique and impactful design among all of Osaka's attractions.
Table of Contents
-Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine is a Famous Osaka Shrine Known Nationwide as a Photo Spot
-Three Highlights of Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine, One of Japan's Most Unique Shrines
-Two Events Held at Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
-3 Shrines to Visit Together with Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine is a Famous Osaka Shrine Known Nationwide as a Photo Spot
Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine is famous for its giant lion head. Many people from both domestic and international locations visit to see this impressive structure at first glance.
It is also famous as a power spot. It is believed to have various powers including warding off bad things and disasters, deepening friendships with important people, and ensuring safe childbirth, attracting many worshippers.
The shrine is also famous for its extremely long history, and the traditional events held there are one of its attractive features.
This place is recommended for a wide range of people, including those who want to create Instagram-worthy content and those interested in power spots and history.
The Instagram-Worthy "Evil-Warding Lion" of Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
The main highlight of this shrine is the giant lion head, measuring 12 meters high, 11 meters wide, and 10 meters deep. This meticulously crafted lion feels so fierce when viewed head-on that it seems ready to come alive at any moment. Many people take photographs of this spectacular sight, which is very Instagram-worthy.
Additionally, the lion's large mouth is said to summon victory and swallow evil spirits (things that bring bad influences), providing benefits for winning luck, qualification exams, entrance exam success, and other academic achievements.
When you actually stand before the giant lion head, you can feel a mysterious power that cannot be experienced through photos or videos.
History of Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
Unfortunately, detailed records about the founding of this shrine have been lost to fire and do not remain. However, according to legend, it began as an attempt to quell an epidemic that spread in the 4th century. By the late 11th century, it appears to have become a well-known shrine to the public. Even though the detailed history is unknown, it is certain that this shrine has an unimaginably long history.
Originally, this shrine was a religious facility that combined Japan's indigenous religion "Shinto" with Buddhism. In 1872, due to government policy, it became a purely Shinto shrine, and it continues to be beloved by many people as a shrine today.
Incidentally, the lion head was created in 1974, making it relatively recent in this shrine's long history.
Three Highlights of Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine, One of Japan's Most Unique Shrines
The Lion's Unique Architecture Combining Steel-Reinforced Concrete with Wooden Construction
The shrine's number one highlight is indeed the lion head.
Inside the mouth is a sanctuary (a small building for enshrining deities), and the lion opens its large mouth as if protecting the deity. This lion is primarily made of steel-reinforced concrete construction, but wooden architecture is partially incorporated. The lion's eyes and teeth are made of brass, and their reflection of sunlight adds to the lion's impressive presence.
There is also a stage inside the lion's mouth. During festivals and religious ceremonies, traditional dances are sometimes performed on the stage inside the mouth for the deities.
Actually, this lion's eyes function as lights and its nose as a speaker. Traditional architecture is fused with modern technology, showing that faith has truly continued over a long period.
The Three Pairs of Deities Enshrined at Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
Japan has its own unique mythology called Japanese mythology. In Japanese mythology, it is believed that gods dwell in all things in nature, characterized by an extremely large number of deities.
One of the most famous gods in Japanese mythology is "Susanoo-no-Mikoto," who is famous for defeating a monster called "Yamata-no-Orochi" that was considered the cause of all disasters. He also saved "Kushiinada-hime-no-Mikoto," who was about to be sacrificed to "Yamata-no-Orochi," and this led to their marriage.
Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine enshrines "Susanoo-no-Mikoto," his wife "Kushiinada-hime-no-Mikoto," and their eight prince children born between them, "Yahashira-miko-no-Mikoto."
Multiple Auxiliary and Subordinate Shrines Within the Grounds
Source:Google Maps
Within Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine, there are five small shrines in addition to the main hall (main building). These are called auxiliary and subordinate shrines, each enshrining different people and deities with different benefits.
Among the five auxiliary and subordinate shrines of Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine, the most famous is Sasayama Shrine. This enshrines a politician who greatly contributed to the development of Osaka city in the past - a human rather than a deity. Through his work, Osaka developed as a market and became a city so famous for gourmet food that it was called "Japan's kitchen."
Each shrine has its own story and is extremely interesting, so please visit all five shrines.
Two Events Held at Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
"Tsunahiki Shinji" Registered as Intangible Folk Cultural Property
Source:Official website
As mentioned above, one of the deities enshrined at this shrine is "Susanoo-no-Mikoto," who is known for defeating a monster called "Yamata-no-Orochi." "Yamata-no-Orochi" is said to be a monster with eight heads and eight tails.
In this festival, following the above tradition, everyone cooperates to weave a rope representing "Yamata-no-Orochi," and then has a tug-of-war with that rope. Then they put the rope on a cart and parade around the shrine. The attractive point of this festival is that you can observe (and partially experience) not only the tug-of-war but also the events before and after.
The origins of this festival are also not well understood. However, it seems to have been one of Osaka's representative events around 1700. Don't you feel a deep romance in the fact that although the history is not well understood, it had become a natural sight for local residents before anyone realized it?
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Schedule: Third Sunday of January every year
Official website: https://nambayasaka.jp/?page_id=145
"Summer Festival・Boat Procession" Revived After 230 Years
Source:Official website
Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine hosts a magnificent summer festival every July. Here, you can enjoy various performances that showcase Japanese traditions, including Japanese drum performances and lion dance (traditional Japanese dance performed wearing a lion head costume).
The main highlight of this festival is the "Boat Procession." This is a Shinto ritual that was remarkably revived in 2001 after 230 years thanks to local people and companies. Twenty boats decorated with lanterns (Japanese lamps) and brightly colored cloth move around while raising loud cheers. The highlights of this ritual are the authentic Japanese-style decorations and the vibrant Osaka-style atmosphere that makes Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine such a special destination.
The "Boat Procession" can be enjoyed from the riverbank, of course, but you can also board the boats by applying in advance. Both experiences are enjoyable, but especially boarding gives you the feeling that you are participating in creating the festival together.
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Schedule: July 13th and 14th every year
Official website: https://nambayasaka.jp/?page_id=144
Access to Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
Address: 2-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City
Access: About 6 minutes from Namba Station on Osaka Metro Midosuji Line・Yotsubashi Line
Official website: https://nambayasaka.jp/
3 Shrines to Visit Together with Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine
When exploring the spiritual heart of Osaka, Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine serves as an excellent starting point for a shrine-hopping adventure. Here are three remarkable shrines that complement your visit to Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine perfectly:
Osaka Tenmangu
Source:Google Maps
Osaka Tenmangu is a shrine dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar from the late 9th to early 10th century who was also called the "God of Learning." Therefore, it is known for its benefits (power) in academic achievement and prayer for passing exams.
Osaka Tenmangu also has many subsidiary shrines, branch shrines, and power spots. Among them, the one I most recommend is "Hoshiai no Ike" (Star Meeting Pond). There is a legend that men and women who meet on this bridge will be united, and another legend that if you can place a small wooden board called "negai-dama" (wish ball) on a plum-shaped target floating in the pond, your wish will come true.
This shrine has various forms of faith within its grounds. This shrine is recommended for those who want to experience various forms of faith.
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Address: 2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka City
Business Hours: 5:30-18:30
Closed: No holidays
Phone Number: 06-6353-0025
Official Website: https://osakatemmangu.or.jp/
Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
Actually, there are 2,300 Sumiyoshi Shrines throughout Japan. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the head shrine of all these shrines, meaning it is the most prestigious shrine that oversees all Sumiyoshi Shrines nationwide. It enshrines various gods including "harae" (removal of bad things), maritime safety, waka poetry, agriculture, archery, and sumo.
The main highlight of this shrine is an area called "Gosho Gozen." Here, there are many stones with the Chinese characters "five" (五), "great" (大), and "power" (力) written on them. It is said that if you collect all three types of stones from here and make them into an amulet, your wishes will come true.
This is recommended for those who want to visit unique power spots.
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Address: 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Business Hours: April-September 6:00-17:00, October-March 6:30-17:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone Number: 06-6672-0753
Official Website: https://www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is a shrine where the god "Ebisu" is enshrined. It has benefits (power) for business prosperity and enterprise development, and many business owners and company employees visit this shrine.
This shrine enshrines various gods other than "Ebisu." This includes "Amaterasu Omikami," the supreme deity of Japanese mythology. Many other powerful gods are also enshrined here, making it one of the Kansai region's premier power spots.
While Imamiya Ebisu Shrine is enjoyable to visit anytime, I especially recommend visiting during January 9-11 when "Toka Ebisu," the biggest event of the year, takes place. You can enjoy food stalls in a lively atmosphere and purchase items for business prosperity, such as bamboo branches decorated with rake-like ornaments.
It is popular among business owners and company employees who wish for business prosperity.
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Address: 1-6-10 Ebisuanishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Business Hours: 6:30-17:00
Closed: Open year-round
Phone Number: 06-6643-0150
Official Website: https://www.imamiya-ebisu.jp/
Two Author-Recommended Tours to Enjoy Osaka's Tourist Attractions and Food Culture More Deeply
After visiting Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine and the surrounding spiritual sites, these tours offer an excellent way to deepen your Osaka experience:
5-Hour Osaka Highlights Bike Tour with Lunch
This tour is a 5-hour cycling tour around Osaka city. You will visit shrines, shopping streets, museums, Osaka Castle, and more. The most attractive point of this tour is that you can enjoy both the past and present of Osaka.
Historical buildings such as shrines and castles are adjacent to areas lined with tall buildings, allowing you to enjoy both tradition and technology. At the museum, you can also experience the lifestyle and cityscape of the Edo period (when samurai existed in Japan).
Furthermore, you can enjoy Osaka local food for lunch and matcha with light snacks as the tour finale. Food tastes many times better after moving around and working up a sweat.
Please note that people under 150cm in height cannot participate in this tour.
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Meeting point: In front of Family Mart in Tenma-bashi Station (Osaka Metro, Tanimachi line)
Tour area: Osaka
Start time: 10:00
Osaka Local Foodie Tour in Dotonbori and Shinsekai
This tour is a 3-hour food tour where you can enjoy Osaka gourmet while visiting Osaka's tourist attractions.
The most attractive point of this tour is that you can enjoy all the representative Osaka gourmet foods: kushikatsu (fried meat and vegetables on skewers), takoyaki (fried balls with octopus inside the dough), and okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancakes). By participating in this tour alone, you can complete the major Osaka gourmet experience.
Additionally, you can enjoy Osaka's cityscape while enjoying the gourmet food. You can experience ancient Japanese culture at shrines, look up at "Tsutenkaku," a tower that can be called a symbol of Osaka, and walk through alleys that recreate Osaka's downtown area from over 80 years ago.
This tour is recommended for those who want to enjoy both Osaka's gourmet food and tourist attractions to the fullest.
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Meeting point: In front of the exit of Imamiya ebisu station, Nankai Kouya line
Tour area: Osaka
Start times: 11:30, 16:30, 17:30