History / Culture / Tour Spots in Osaka Area

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Category

Travel / Tourism

History / Culture / Tour

Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts

4.0

156 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Tennouji-ku Chausuyamachou 1-82

An art museum first opened in 1936 built on the former main residence of the Sumitomo clan. The museum’s collection of over 8,000 artworks and pieces donated by shrines and temples focuses on art and crafts from Japan and China, many of which are designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties. The museum’s standing exhibition presents selections from the museum’s collection based on a given theme. The museum also holds open call exhibitions sponsored by art organizations and special exhibitions covering diverse genres of art. The museum shop offers exclusive goods and illustrated exhibition books. The closest station is Tennoji Station.

If you get the chance before the end of September 2019 do spend the time and money 1400 yen to see this amazing collection of Ukiyo-e wood Prints from the Mary Ainsworth Collection. Starting in the...
Namba Shrine

3.5

95 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Bakuroumachi 4-1-3

This shrine is on the Midosuji Road, five minutes' walk from Honmachi underground Station. It was built in the time of Emperor Hansei, and it is said that Emperor Nintoku was enshrined here as a deity when the Shibagaki no Miya palace was opened. Additionally, Uemura Bunrakuken's puppet theater was held on the grounds, which are said to be a place of origin for bunraku. There is also a monument to Inari Shrine Bunraku outside the Eastern gate. Every year, a Chinkon-sai (a festival of the dead) is held in February. They pray for the repose of the souls of the departed, using balls which have five-colored strings tied to them. One of the blessings that can be gained is that of good health, and if you apply in advance, you can receive a glass ball with five colored strings to tie to it.

I like kitschy things so this fits the bill. Pretty much all historic sites are reconstructions so I guess it’s the idea of how it looked back then? Glad I went for my photo with the lions head
Ishikiri-Tsurugiya Shrine

4.0

102 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Higashiosakashi Higashishikirichou 1-1-1

Ishikiri-Tsurugiya Shrine, located in Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, has been beloved by locals for ages for Ishikiri-san, who is revered as the “god of boils.” It is famous for the “hyakudo-ishi” (stone used as a marker for hundred times worship) at the entrance, as well as the practice of vising the main shrine a hundred times in a ritual known as “ohyakudo-mairi.” It is said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Jimmu, and the shrine name means “a sword and arrow that can pierce stone.” In front of the main shrine are camphor trees that are about 470 years old, and they are registered in Higashi-Osaka as a Natural Monument. The approach to the shrine has a shopping street with a retro feel and is filled with visitors year-round.

Ishikiri Shrine is based in the area of Osaka called Ishikiri. This is the main shrine itself but there is an upper shrine under the same temple, if you can get there by walking and climbing up the...
Horikoshi-jinja Shrine

4.0

76 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Osakashi Tennouji-ku Chausuyamachou 1-8

This shrine on Mt. Chausu is about 10 minutes' walk north of Tennoji Station, serving every line, and Kintetsu's Abeno Station. Built by Shotoku Taishi at the same time as Shintenno-ji Temple, it is counted among the 7 halls of Shintenno-ji. Long known in Osaka as home of a god who will grant one wish in your lifetime, recently it's also become popular as a spot to feel spiritual energy. They also offer their Hito Yume Prayer service by post, where parishioners write their deepest dream on a thin piece of paper, receive a blessing, and keep it next to their skin until their dream comes true.

It is a very old shrine which was reportedly built by Shotokutaishi. As it is located on Tanimachisuji main avenue, it is very easy to find. If you walk from JR Tennoji station, it takes 10~15...
Osaka Museum of Natural History

4.0

56 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Higashisumiyoshi-ku Nagaikouen 1-23

This museum was founded in 1950 and is located within “Nagai Park” in Higashi Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. The museum is based on the theme of humans surrounding natural history, and they carry out such activities as data collection, exhibitions, and educational activities. The permanent exhibition rooms are based on the four themes, “The Natural World Around Us”, “History of Earth and Life”, “Evolution of Life” and “The Lives of Living Things”. You can enjoy learning about nature in the local area of Osaka, the ecology, and evolution of living things and the environment while taking turns at games and videos. Special exhibitions are held several times a year at the museum. The in-house and outdoor events mainly held on weekends are also popular.

I happened to have some free time and decided to check it out. Though small, it is packed to the brim with fossils and such.
Sakai City Museum

4.0

89 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Sakaishi Sakai-ku Mozusekiunchou 2 inside Daisen Park

This museum is located in Daisen Park, just 500 meters from the JR Hanwa Line's Mozu Station. The museum was opened in 1980, as a memorial project for the city's 90th anniversary. Many items pertaining to Sakai City's history, art and customs are preserved displayed in the museum's permanent exhibition, including reproductions of a map of Emperor Nintoku's stone mausoleum and a terracotta unearthed from Emperor Nintoku's tomb in the Kofun / Nintoku Tomb exhibition, and a model of the city of Sakai and a Sakai (matchlock) gun in the Free City Sakai exhibition.

Really enjoyed this museum. The excellent exhibits and friendly stall. But the best was the video, with English subtitles - a great overview of the area. Well worth seeking this out & spending an...
Taiyuji Temple

3.5

73 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Osakashi Kita-ku Taiyujichou 3-7

This Koyasan Shingon sect temple is a ten-minute walk from JR Osaka Station. It was constructed by Kobo Daishi in accordance with Emperor Saga's imperial prayer in the year 821. The principal Buddhist icon, the thousand-armed Kannon-bosatsu enshrined here, was a gift from Emperor Saga. The temple was razed in both the summer campaign of the Siege of Osaka, in 1615, and in the air raids of Osaka in 1945. After the war, the temple was rebuilt with the exception of the thousand-armed Kannon-bosatsu, which had escaped the flames. Acala 'The Immovable', enshrined in the Ichigan Hall, is also referred to as the one immovable prayer, and many people come to the hall to pray for world peace. Every year, on May 28th, practitioners of Shugen-do hold a unique festival, in which a fire-offering is made.

I stepped out of Higashi-Umeda Station Exit No.4, and walked through a narrow watering-hole alley east. I went under an elevted highway. After a couple of blocks, I found Taiyu-ji Temple on my...
Open-air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses

4.5

89 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Toyonakashi Hattoriryokuchi 1-2

Located in Hattori Ryokuchi Park in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, the Open-air Museum of Old Japanese Farmhouses was the first open-air museum of its kind in Japan when it opened in 1956. The Museum has on display 12 representative examples of traditional farmhouses from different parts of Japan—from Iwate Prefecture in the north to Amami-Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture in the south—that have been relocated to the Museum site. Several of the buildings on display have been designated as Important Cultural Properties, including Gassho-zukuri style farmhouses from the Hida and Shirakawa-go regions, and a Nanbu Magari-ya (L-shaped farmhouse) from Iwate, northern Japan. Inside each house, typical furniture and living utensils from the region in question are displayed.

This is well worth the visit to give you a glimpse of Japanese life in years gone by. An amazing selection of authentic looking structures. Plenty of space, quiet and relaxing. A terrific escape...
Hochigai Shrine

3.5

74 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Sakaishi Sakai-ku Kitamikunigaokachou 2-2-1

Locals call the deity of this shrine Mr. Hochigai. It has been here for many years, and has long guided them on matters of orientation, the land and Feng Shui, so they don't build in inauspicious ways. The shrine is located in Sakai City, on the north side of Emperor Hansei's tomb, and was once a way-point on the Kumano pilgrimage. Many Kumano pilgrims would pray here for a safe journey. An annual festival is held at the shrine every year on May 31st. Worshippers who have offered up an earthen-wrapped chimaki (steamed rice dumpling) to this deity receive a chimaki sweet on the day of the festival.

In Ancient and Medieval Japan, they used to believe that leaving for the right direction is very important especially when you make a long journey or move to another house. Hochigai literally...
Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and Akiko

4.0

87 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Sakai-shi Sakai-ku Shukuincho Nishi 2-1-1

This museum facility is located in 2-Chome Nishi, Shukuin-cho, Sakai Ward, Sakai City. The facility consists of two museums with exhibits on two notable figures from Sakai - Sen no Rikyu, founder of the Urasenke tea ceremony school; and Akiko Yosano, a poet active from the Meiji through the Showa periods. There are also tearooms where you can experience the real Japanese tea ceremony, a tourist information center, and a restaurant. The Site of Sen no Rikyu's Residence is located across from the facility.

The museum is not so big, but if you are interested in a tea ceremony and Sen Rikyu it is definitely worth a visit. Please make sure to get the instructions how to use their guiding system for...
Sukunahikona Shrine

4.0

71 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Doshoumachi 2-1-8

This shrine is approximately five minutes' walk from Kitahama underground station of Midosuji Line. The resident deity is also known as Shinnosan, a deity which brings healing and good health to those who pray there. The deities worshipped here are Sukunahikona no Mikoto, a Japanese deity of medicine, and Shinnoentei, the deity of Chinese medicine. In the time of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, this place was a gathering place for traders of medicines, which, according to legend, is how the deities came to reside here. Herbs, such as * are planted in the garden, together with roses and peony. There is a rose festival in May, when the flowers are in bloom.

The entrance of this shrine is from the main Doshomachi Road. When you walk through a 20 meter pathway, you will end up in a courtyard with a shrine dedicated to the Japanese medicine guardian. The...
Hiraoka Shrine

4.0

59 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Higashiosakashi Izumoichou 7-16

This shrine is located up the stairs just east of the Kintetsu Nara Line's Hiraoka Station. It is in Kawachi Province (before 1868), the main deity is Amenokoyane no mikoto. It is said that the shrine was built three years before the crowning of the first Emperor, Emperor Jinmu. To the south of the shrine is a ume (plum) tree forest, the scent of which caused it to be selected as one of Japan's top 100 aromatic landscapes. It is a very popular tourist destination. At the end of the year, a religious comedy festival is held at Hiraoka Shrine. In this event, the participants laugh continuously along with the head priest for 20 minutes. The media gives a special report on the event, and the number of visiting tourists increases year after year.

神社の由緒は他の方がかなり書かれているのでそれ以外の部分を書きます。神社の立地として近鉄の平岡駅の改札を出た所に二の鳥居が有り参道となりますので電車で来る方はそのまま進めば良いのですが、車で行った場合は駐車場が参道横の中腹となります。その為、駐車場には参拝道左とありますが、そちらへ行かずに右方向に1-2分ほど坂を下って二の鳥居をくぐって参道を通って参拝されることをお勧めします。河内国の一之宮...
Ikasuri-jinja Shrine

3.5

53 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Kyutaroumachi 4 Watanabe 3

This is one of Japan's oldest shrines marked in a register of shrines in Japan, located between office buildings. It is approximately a three-minute walk from Honmachi Station on the Osaka Metro. It is affectionately called Zamasan by the locals and is worshiped for protection of the home, safe travel and the safe delivery of babies. For safe delivery, visitor can purchase a bell charm and a maternity band. Additionally, the shrine conducts prayers at the shrine or house calls for warding off evil and protecting against misfortune. Traditional Shinto weddings with Japanese court music can also be held at the shrine. The emblem of the shrine is a heron and original Goshuin, shogunate-authorized temple stamp, is also available. The fringed orchid associated with the emblem is grown in the shrine and visitors can enjoy viewing them from mid-July.

本町のビジネス街の裏通りにビル街に囲まれてある摂津国一之宮。坐摩大神（いかすりのおおかみ）と読み難いため、地元でも「ざま神社」「ざまさん」と呼ばれることが多い神社。
Glion Museum

4.0

26 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Minato-ku Kaigandori 2-6-39 (in Osaka/red brick warehouse)

Museum and showroom of classic cars near Osaka Port. This 100-year-old redbrick warehouse has a retro atmosphere making you imagine New York and London, with restored vintage cars from such companies as Toyota and Ford on display. This antique space also has models and other items a car fan will delight over, and even the T3R driving simulator.

If you’re a car guy and don’t visit this place when travelling in Osaka, get ready for regret. This place has a few sections (open display, restaurant/bar, ticketed display, free display). The free...
Sojiji Temple

4.0

52 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Ibarakishi Soujiji 1-6-1

Sojiji Temple is a Koyasan Shingon sect temple, and is the twenty-second temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage, located five minutes' walk from Soji-ji Station. It is the sixth boke-fuji Kinki Juraku Kannon sacred site, and the Boke-fuji Fuhi-Kannon is enshrined here. The founder of the temple, Fujiwara no Yamakage, was also the founder of Shijoryu Hochodo (a school of Japanese cuisine), and a kitchen knife festival is held here every year on April 18th. The temple's principal object of worship, the thousand-armed Kannon, is distinctive in that it stands on the back of a turtle. According to legend, Yamakage's father, Takafusa once saved a turtle from some fishermen, and later, when Yamakage fell into a river, the same turtle saved him in return.

大阪の茨木市にある、西国三十三所22番札所です。境内は、無料で落ち着いた雰囲気です。また、併設されているレストランポタラは、味良し、雰囲気良し、値段良しです。
Fujii-dera Temple

4.0

59 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Fujiderashi Fujidera 1-16-21

Located five minutes from Fujii-dera Interchange, in Fujii-dera 1 Chome, this temple, belonging to the Omuro school of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, is the fifth temple of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage. The temple was established by Gyoki in accordance with Emperor Shomu's imperial prayer, in the year 725. The main hall, where the national treasure, the thousand-armed Kannon is enshrined, also incorporates struts called kaerumata and lavish carvings in its construction. The wood carvings adorning the traditional gable roof are intimidating, and the four-pillared temple gate (the West Gate) is also an Important Cultural Property. It was built by order of Toyotomi Hideyori, in the Momoyama Period. Fujii-dera Temple has also been famous for over a thousand years for the Wisteria flowers that continue to bloom here, and during full bloom, their purple blossoms flutter in the wind.

西国三十三ケ所を巡る中で行ってきました。ちょうど「藤まつり」というイベントが行われている最中で、境内の藤棚を写真に収めている参拝客が多かったです。中でも白色の藤はお天気が良かったこともあって、風に揺られて陽に透けるような美しさがとても見ごたえがありました。一部のお堂（だと思います）は改修中で、そのお堂に使われるのかどうかは分かりませんが、屋根の瓦に願い事を書いて納めるというものがありました（3...
Dotonbori Konamon-Museum

4.0

50 Reviews

Leisure / Hobbies

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Doutombori 1-6-12

Dotonbori Konamon-Museum in downtown Dotonbori is a food theme park and a hands-on facility where you can experience the history and culture of konamon (flour) including takoyaki (octopus dumpling). On the first floor, Takoya dotonbori Kukuru, a well-known takoyaki restaurant which is famous with long queues, shows the cooking procedure and sells them. On the second floor, there is a historical museum about flour with an eating area. The third floor is a studio where you can make your own food samples for a unique takoyaki (a booking is required in advance). On the first basement, there is a takoyaki dojo (training area) where you fry your takoyaki with your own choice of ingredients. The closest station is Namba Station.

This is a famous takoyaki shop in Dotombori area. There is always a queue here. The takoyaki is delicious and the sauce is good too.
Nose Myokenzan (Nose Myokenzan, External Buddha Halls, Murosan Shinnyoji Temple)

4.0

58 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Toyono-gun Nosecho Nomanaka 661

This is a Nichiren sect sacred site on the top of Mt. Myoken. It is also the holy ground for the faith of the northern star that worships the Myoken Bosatsu (Myoken Bodhisattva), known as the god of martial arts and performing arts, and shows that path that people should take. Myokendo Hall is in the precinct and it is filled with visitors gathering for prayer meetings and bon fire festivals. Visitors can experience sutra copying any time to reflect on themselves and there is also a sutra drawing copying experience for children. The beech tree forest of Mt. Myoken from 10,000 years ago is registered as a National Treasure and is famous as a hiking route which can be enjoyed in the four seasons.

ケーブルカー、リフトの乗り継いでからも、結構歩きました。この時期ですから、汗だくでした。でも、山の中のお寺、なんか涼しくで有り難い気持ちになれました。
Tekijuku

4.0

91 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Osakashi Chuou-ku Kitahama 3-3-8

This is a private cram school that was opened in 1838 by Ogata Koan, a leading researcher of Ran-igaku (Dutch medicine). It is located about a five-minute walk from Yodoyabashi Station or Kitahama Station on the Midosuji Subway Line / Keihan Electric Railway. The Dutch study school educated many inspirational people such as Fukuzawa Yukichi and Omura Masujiro and is now an Important Cultural Property. The surrounding area has been made into an historic park and visitors can view both the outside and inside of the restored house where Koan once lived. Additionally, there are events such as special exhibits and lectures held in the building.

適塾は中之島近くにある緒方洪庵が江戸時代に大阪船場に開いた蘭学の塾です。またこの塾は開塾から25年間で約3,000人の入門生があったと伝えられ、福沢諭吉や大村益次郎など多くの名士を輩出しています。現在は適塾の前身のする大阪大学が管理しており一般公開されていました。
Sanko-jinja Shrine

4.0

65 Reviews

Travel / Tourism

Osaka Osakashi Tennouji-ku Tamatsukurihonmachi 14-90

This shrine was founded during Emperor Hanzei's reign (406-410) right in Saishoyama Park. This shrine is dedicated to three Shinto gods, Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi and Susanoo. It was once known as the Himeyama Shrine and was where people of Rikuzen Province once went to pray for the god of sealing wind, but has become more commonly known as Sanko Shrine in Miyagi District. In 1908 Himeyama-jinja Shrine and Sanko-jinja Shrine were merged, becoming Sanko-jinja Shrine. It's believed that Saishoyama was where Sanada Maru, a small fort of Osaka Castle, once stood.

玉造駅からほど近い場所にある神社です。真田幸村が大阪城の出城として陣を張った真田丸の一角にあり、幸村関連の展示があります。銅像もなかなか立派ですし、真田の抜け穴と呼ばれる場所もその近くにあるので、歴史ファンなら興味深い場所です。

Osaka

Umeda Nakanoshima Minamimorimachi / Temma Yodoyabashi / Kitahama / Hommachi Osaka Castle Shinsaibashi / Namba Tennoji / Shinsekai Tsuruhashi / Tamatsukuri Bentencho / Osaka Bay Area Sumiyoshi / Tezukayama Hokusetsu Kitakawachi / Higashi-Osaka Minami-Osaka

Travel / Tourism History / Culture / Tour

Reference/Local/Exhibition/Literature Museum Shrine Castle / Ruins of Castle Historical Monument Temple Church Ruin / Grave / Ancient Tomb Memorial Hall Cultural Property Event Hall / Public Hall Art Museum Museum / Science Museum Other Historic Site/Building

Osaka Areas

While Osaka prefecture is the country's second smallest prefecture, its capital, Osaka City, is the country’s third-largest and arguably one of the most popular in the Kansai region thanks to its vibrant nightlife, the Osaka people’s openness, and its much-loved cuisine, which has earned it the nickname "the nation’s kitchen."