5 best spiritual power spots in Osaka! Let’s visit Shitennoji Temple and ancient burial mounds associated with Prince Shotoku.

Osaka is known as the "Kitchen of the Nation" and is a center of economy and commerce. Did you know that this big city, Osaka, was an ancient city with many spiritual power spots associated with Prince Shotoku? Osaka has many temples and shrines associated with Prince Shotoku, including Shitennoji Temple, which is said to have been built by Prince Shotoku as a thank you for winning the deadly battle with the Mononobe clan. The boat-shaped megalith at Iwafune Shrine, which is associated with the Mononobe clan, who were against Buddhism, is worth seeing.

Here are five carefully selected spiritual power spots in Osaka that you should definitely visit in this city that has continued to prosper for over 1000 years.

1. Shitennoji Temple, a spiritual power spot that is a symbol of Prince Shotoku and the victory of the Buddhist sect

The first power spot in Osaka to be introduced is Shitennoji Temple, which is said to have been built with the involvement of Prince Shotoku. Shitennoji is a full-fledged Buddhist temple in Japan and one of the oldest temples. It is said that its construction was related to the power struggle between the Soga clan, who promoted Buddhism, and the Mononobe clan, who were anti-Buddhist.

The Soga army attacked the castle of the Mononobe clan in Osaka, but retreated three times. Prince Shotoku, who was 14 years old at the time and witnessed this, carved the shape of the Four Heavenly Kings from a tree called "nurude" (Japanese wax tree) and prayed, "If we win this battle, we will definitely build a temple to enshrine the Four Heavenly Kings." In 593, the Soga clan won the battle, and Prince Shotoku built Shitennoji Temple.

Shitennoji is a power spot considered a symbol of victory, and it exudes an atmosphere of overflowing power. It conveys a very old continental architectural style to this day. The 21st of every month is the "Odaishi-san" (Kobo Daishi) festival, and the 22nd is the "Otaishi-san" (Prince Shotoku) festival, which are crowded with many worshipers and tourists.

2. Iwafune Shrine, a Shinto spiritual power spot associated with the Mononobe clan, who were against Buddhism

Iwafune Shrine is a power spot in Katano City, Osaka, and its sacred object is a large rock called "Ame-no-Iwafune" (Heavenly Rock Ship). This huge rock, the sacred object, is shaped like a boat, about 12 meters high and 12 meters long, and there is a legend that a god descended on it. It is said that Kiyomasa Kato, a vassal of Hideyoshi Toyotomi, tried to transport this huge rock to Osaka, but he could not do so and gave up, leaving only his name inscribed on it.

At Iwafune Shrine, it is recommended to take the "Iwakura Meguri" (Rock Cave Tour), where you wear priestly robes and worship the group of giant rocks. The rock caves, carved by the flow of the Amano River, are narrow and there are places where it is barely possible for one person to pass through, but they create an atmosphere as if you are training in a space that goes back in time. It is considered an act in itself to go on the Iwakura Meguri, so you don't need to know any special rituals! Why not follow the instructions of the shrine staff and try to perform an act to increase your own power?

3. Nintoku-tenno-ryo Mausoleum, the world's largest tomb, is a spiritual power spot

Nintoku Tenno Ryo is a burial mound in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, said to be the tomb of Emperor Nintoku. It is very large, with a total length of 486m, and is one of the three largest tombs in the world, famous for being larger than the Pyramid of Khufu and the Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang. It is the largest in scale among the approximately 200,000 burial mounds said to exist throughout Japan.

Nintoku Tenno Ryo was built in the Kofun period about 1,700 years ago, and it is a magnificent burial mound that took 15 years to complete, even though 2,000 people worked every day for its construction. Since it is managed by the Imperial Household Agency, it is not possible to enter the mound, but it is a power spot where you can feel its size and sufficient power even from the outside.

The place of worship is on the Daisen Park side. Nature's greenery remains in the city, creating a solemn atmosphere. It is said that there were more than 100 burial mounds around Nintoku Tenno Ryo in the past, and 47 still exist today. The surrounding area is called the Mozu Tumulus Group, which is a power spot.

4. Sumiyoshi Taisha, the first shrine of Settsu Province, loved as "Sumiyossan," is a spiritual power spot

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is the first shrine of Settsu Province and a power spot that is the head shrine of 2,300 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan. It is now in the middle of the city, but in the past it faced the sea, and it is the stage for important scenes in the "Tale of Genji" regarding Akashi no Kimi. Also, did you know that Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is deeply related to the old tale "Issun Boshi" (One-Inch Boy)? It is said that an old couple without children was blessed with Issun Boshi by visiting this shrine.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, which is also very popular as a place to visit for Hatsumode (New Year's visit) in Osaka, is affectionately called "Sumiyossan" and attracts as many as 2 million visitors. At the Sumiyoshi Festival's Nagoshi no Harae Shinji (Summer Purification Ritual) which decorates Osaka's summer festivals, the beautifully and gorgeously dressed Nagoshi women and children perform the traditional ritual of passing through the "chinowa" (thatched ring). The main hall, said to have been built in 1810, is called "Sumiyoshi-zukuri," one of the most historic styles in the history of shrine architecture, and of course, it is designated as a National Treasure building.

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine is nationally famous as a power spot and is very popular with the locals. Let's visit the head shrine of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine at least once.

5. Horikoshi Shrine, a spiritual power spot associated with Prince Shotoku

Horikoshi Shrine is a power spot located in Tennoji-ku, Osaka City. It is a shrine founded by Prince Shotoku at the same time as the establishment of Shitennoji Temple, and it is said that Prince Shotoku, who was a regent in the era of Empress Suiko, enshrined Emperor Sutoku, remembering him. Emperor Sutoku is famous for his concern about the reconstruction of Renna in the Korean Peninsula, which was devastated by war. In Osaka, it is said that "it will grant only one wish in a lifetime," so if you make a wish, you will surely receive a benefit.

There is a large and beautiful moat on the south side of the precincts, and the name "Horikoshi Shrine" came from the fact that people crossed the moat to visit the shrine. It is in the middle of the city, close to "Abeno Harukas," but the shrine has a quiet and solemn atmosphere. The camphor tree, which is 550 years old, is the sacred tree, so it is especially recommended to touch the sacred tree to improve your luck when your luck is declining. Why not aim for a boost in your luck at Horikoshi Shrine, a power spot with a history of 1400 years?

◎ Summary

Here are 5 powerful spiritual spots in Osaka. Osaka has a bright and cheerful image, known for its delicious food, takoyaki, and its comedy scene. This brightness may be supported by the unfathomable power of its spiritual spots such as Shitennoji Temple and Horikoshi Shrine, which were founded by Prince Shotoku.

Shitennoji Temple was built by the Soga clan and Prince Shotoku as a thank you for their victory. The shrine of the defeated Mononobe clan is also a spiritual spot called Iwafune Shrine. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, which is deeply revered as the head shrine of all Sumiyoshi shrines in Japan, is a large spiritual spot with a very large number of visitors during New Year's visits.

In this way, there are many spiritual spots in the city of Osaka, but among them, we have selected 5 of the most representative ones. Please visit the city of Osaka with the desire to "eat," "laugh," "have fun," and "receive power."

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5 best spiritual power spots in Osaka! Let’s visit Shitennoji Temple and ancient burial mounds associated with Prince Shotoku.