Shitennoji Temple, a Must-Visit Official Temple in Osaka

#OsakaAttractions Shitennoji Temple, established in 593 by Prince Shotoku, is the earliest Buddhist temple in Japan and the oldest official temple in the country. It not only served as a guardian of Buddhism and protector of the nation, becoming a political and diplomatic center, but also as the birthplace of Japanese culture, including fine arts and crafts industries. The architectural style, with the middle gate, five-story pagoda, main hall, and lecture hall arranged in a straight line and surrounded externally by a corridor, is known as the "Shitennoji style," which originated from China and the Korean Peninsula. Although the halls, pagoda, and temple have been repeatedly damaged by wars and natural disasters, they have been rebuilt each time, preserving the grandeur of the Asuka period when it was first constructed, fully reflecting the temple’s long history and its significance in the hearts of Osaka people.

Main Highlights
Five-Story Pagoda: The temple’s iconic building, with vermilion walls and rustic blue-tiled eaves, majestic and layered.
Garan (Temple Complex): From south to north, the middle gate, five-story pagoda, main hall, and lecture hall are aligned in a straight line, surrounded by corridor-style buildings, called the "Shitennoji-style garan," one of the oldest temple complex layouts in Japan.
Treasure House: Houses over 500 varieties of Japanese national treasures and cultural properties from the time of the temple’s founding.
Pure Land Garden: A Japanese-style garden featuring the Gochiko-in.

Shitennoji Temple
1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday
Adults 500 yen; Students 300 yen
Osaka Loop Line/Hanwa Line - Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station Exit 4

Post by -何生- | Apr 21, 2025