Shitennoji Temple, Oldest Buddhist Temple

Shitennoji Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist Temples in the area and is well worth a visit. Unlike a lot of temples, this is a complex of several buildings all of which are very different.

We had a relaxing stroll from the Tennoji JR Station to the Shitennoji Temple in the late afternoon. It’s about 10 minutes walk and you can get in free if you have the Osaka Amazing Pass or 300 yen for admission. The stone Torii gate at the main entrance to Shitennoji was so beautiful and it dates from 1294.

It was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Although the temple’s buildings burned down several times throughout the centuries, they were always carefully reconstructed to reflect the original 6th-century design.

There is a 5-story pagoda, which is the only one that we came across in Osaka that we can climb up. However, you would have to take off your shoes and put them inside a shoe bag. Inside the pagoda, there are statues of Buddha and Bodhisattva and many memorial plagues

There’s a large pond with tortoises that may have been released by devotees as an act of releasing caged animals from captivity in line with the concept of not killing living beings.

This place is a Buddhist temple and is very quiet. It is quite a stroll through a residential area to reach this place. Not a highly touristy area.

We are really amazed at how quiet and peaceful the gardens were when they are set in the middle of a busy area. The temple is absolutely breathtaking with such history and devotion. We truly enjoyed the brief of this beautiful temple with magnificent grounds.

Access 

Shitennoji is a short walk from Shitennoji-Mae-Yuhigaoka Station on the Tanimachi Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a ten-minute walk north of JR Tennoji Station on the JR Loop Line.

Hours

8:30 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from October through March)

Admission

• 300 yen Adult
• Free with Osaka Amazing Pass