We arrived one day before the 7 5 3 festival. There were a lot of people in beautiful kimonos that made our experience that much better. This Temple is beautiful and amazingly maintained considering it is from 3rd century. Must see if you have the time!

I visited here at 6:00 am, as soon as it was open. I wanted to take some photos of the beautiful bridge and its' reflection. I was not disappointed. Early in the morning, the whole area is beautiful and peaceful. There's a tram station and train station out the front, which makes this place easy to access from Osaka.

It such a huge jinja and I can’t believe it was in Osaka the place doesn’t look crowded like most areas in osaka and it’s not absolutely out of the city, easy access from nankai line so you don’t need to walk a lot. It’s pretty amazing definitely recommend!

What a site a amazing Shinto Temple! Really well shaded with lots of trees pretty amazing buildings with a really cool bridge. Lots of history there and QR codes to scan to get the english descriptions of what you are looking at. We had ro take a Train and then a Tram to get there but not to difficult and the Japanese people are always very helpful with directions.

This is a Shinto temple, I came here early in the morning of the 1st, threw money and made prayers for the new year. More than 200 shops open around the temple to serve tourists and Japanese people who go to the temple at the beginning of the year. The number of people coming to the temple is very large, I went early in the morning at 8am so it was less crowded than around noon. Those who come here all line up in an orderly manner waiting for their turn to perform the ceremony. According to custom, people will throw lucky coins, high-five twice and pray for good things for their family and themselves.

A very peaceful and tucked away shrine. There was barely anyone walking around when we went and it was a nice breather from the otherwise busy city. Note: Visited prior to Covid, so things may be different.

A nice shrine to visit, there were ceremonies happening in the morning which you are allowed to watch and film. After the shrine, there is also a local market street near to the station which offers food, snacks, cafes. The park next to the station would be a perfect place for cherry blossom, it’s a pity we were not here during the season.

Sumiyoshi Taisha is a Shinto shrine located in Osaka, Japan. It is one of the oldest and most important shrines in the country, dating back over 1,800 years. The shrine is dedicated to the Sumiyoshi Sanjin, a group of deities associated with sea and travel. The architecture of Sumiyoshi Taisha is distinctive and represents the ancient style of Japanese shrine design. The main hall, called Honden, is a designated National Treasure of Japan and features a unique style with a thatched roof and simple wooden structure. The shrine's grounds are spacious and surrounded by tranquil gardens, creating a serene atmosphere for visitors. Visiting Sumiyoshi Taisha offers a chance to experience traditional Japanese culture and customs. Many people come here to offer prayers for safe travels, success in business, and good fortune. The shrine is also a popular location for traditional weddings and other ceremonies. Overall, Sumiyoshi Taisha is a significant cultural and historical site in Osaka, providing a glimpse into Japan's ancient religious traditions. It's a peaceful and spiritual place where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of Shinto architecture and connect with the country's rich cultural heritage.

This shrine in Osaka is a spiritual haven that you must visit during your trip. Its serene ambiance and historical significance offer a profound and enriching experience. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in its sacred aura.

It’s a little awkward to come here by Osaka Metro - you really want to be on the JR rails. The Metro only gets you to Tamade, and then it’s a 15-20 minute walk. Sadly I had an all-day pass and refused to pay for anything else… so walking it is! The Shrine is packed full of people on the weekends, but somehow remains reasonably quiet. The highlights for me were actually the bridges and the ponds… they’re so picturesque, like scenes from movies. The ponds are full of turtles and their babies… those were absolutely adorable. No food or drink in the temple grounds, though once you’re near the bridge there’s vendors again. No cost for entry, so it’s a nice stroll in the outskirts of Osaka.

Had an amazing experience here today. I came here to see the shrine and was very pleasantly surprised that they had a festival/praying on which involved traditional Japanese dancing by adults and kids. It was great to see Japanese locals participate this ancient ceremony, especially school kids, some of them were as young as 3 or 4 I think, very interesting to see them trying their best to perform. There is a lucky cat shrine towards the back of the place which has snake skins worshipped. I was there too late so couldn't really buy a lucky cat doll. I've been to many Japanese shrines and this is definitely the best and most unique experience among all of them.

I really enjoyed this shrine. They have this beautiful red bridge. Very peaceful and quiet. Lots of shades and trees. The grounds are kept clean. There are small shops that sells charms. I like that it has a river and we several turtles swimming. Not crowded when we went there.

Sumiyoshi Taisha (住吉大社) in Osaka is a serene and culturally rich Shinto shrine that encapsulates the essence of traditional Japanese architecture and spirituality. The iconic arched bridge leading to the main entrance is a picturesque symbol, inviting visitors into a tranquil oasis. The architecture, with its distinctive vermilion color and intricate details, reflects the beauty of ancient Japanese design. The peaceful surroundings and well-maintained garden offer a serene escape from the bustling city. The shrine holds deep historical significance, making it a revered site for locals and tourists alike. Exploring its sacred precincts and participating in traditional rituals provides a profound insight into Japan's spiritual heritage. Sumiyoshi Taisha is a cultural gem, offering a serene retreat and a glimpse into Japan's rich religious traditions.

Very nice, quite, peaceful and beautiful sanctuary. We visited early in the morning, around 08:30am and we had it just for ourselves. It’s very well maintained and clean, as everything in Japan.

Characteristic bridge leading to the centre of the temple. There are quite a few details easily missed like the huge trees enshrined, fox statues, dragon wells, emblems. There are many shrines within the compound facing different directions so it's gonna be good no matter where the sunshine is facing for photos. Red flags line all the pathways in one part of the compound. There is also a model of an old boat which you can take photos in. They've left some wooden oars to pose with.

Just come here today, There is special event, Wedding ceremony and many lil kids wearing kimono and take a pic with their family. this beautiful red bridge really catch my attention 😉

Distinct bridge leading to the temple with purposeful shrines. Youd see less tourist here but locals were aplenty from marriages to babies and businesman. Gotta say the talisman here are twice more expensive.

Nestled in the heart of Osaka lies a hidden gem - Sumiyoshi Taisha, a temple steeped in history and spirituality. Established almost 1,800 years ago in the year 211, this sacred site holds significant importance as the oldest temple in Osaka, inviting visitors on a journey through time and culture. Upon arriving at Sumiyoshi Taisha, visitors are greeted by a majestic torii gate, marking the entrance to a place where ancient traditions and beliefs still thrive. Stepping through this gateway, one enters a realm of peace and tranquility. The temple's serene atmosphere beautifully blends with the natural surroundings, offering a welcome escape from the city's bustling energy. One of the standout features of Sumiyoshi Taisha is unquestionably the grandeur of its architecture. The elegant structures, characterized by the unique Sumiyoshi-zukuri architectural style, showcase a remarkable attention to detail and a deep appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship. Delicate woodwork, graceful curves, and thatched roofs transport visitors back to a time of tradition and simplicity. Within the temple grounds, a highlight not to be missed is the holy tree. This sacred tree, believed to have protective and purifying powers, serves as a focal point for worship and reverence. Its significance adds a layer of mystique and spirituality to the experience of exploring Sumiyoshi Taisha.

I was in Daikaku-ji Temple in August 2022 for Yoi-Kobo Bonfire, one of the nicest scenes and very peaceful 🙏

If you want the bamboo forest all to yourself without the insane crowds at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, this is the place. It's only 300 yen to enter but if you want to enter the main temple it's an extra 500 yen. When we went in October in the early afternoon there was hardly anyone there. It was a little erie to walk through the bamboo forest with no one around. There's also a lake you can walk around.

It is a less touristic temple in Kyoto with a large Garden and a pond inside. It was the palace of one of the emperor hence the Building style is larger then normal Buddhist temple, with a lot more space outside. A walking tour will take you a good 45 minutes and is something you have to slow down and immerse yourself there to feel the zen.

Better if take bicycle. A bit far away from station. As usual, beautiful temple, but no need to pay for the pond only because expensive. Can even see all pond view outside of temple

Wonderful place! If you‘re in the area and want to visit a temple, come here. No visitors while the other temples were absolutely crowded. The temple is beautiful and the surroundings with the japanese garden and the adjacent pond and garden are breathtaking. Best temple I have visited and an absolutely magnificent experience

Beautiful temple with great autumn foliage in autumn and amazing sliding door paintings. Make sure to visit its small museum with a wonderful Kano Eitoku painting and early medieval sculptures for only 300 yen too. A combined ticket to visit Gio-ji (25 min walk) is available as well.

Amazing, best temple I visited on kyoto, it is very well maintained the gardens and the buildings. The staff is friendly and there are places where you can't get your fortune and buy charms. Cool shot opportunities. Not stop crowded then you can take your time and enjoy the place. Very quiet and peaceful

It’s a hidden gem! With few people but really cool stuff about Japanese culture. It is one of the most important temples, and you can see traces of couple emperors.

This temple is far from the tourist attractions, so you can visit slowly, you can enjoy the calm of the temple, the zen garden, and the pond. I suggest to visit the pond. It is older than the temple and made to imitate / reflect the dongting lake in China. The lake where the dragon boat festival originated. According to the standards of beauty of the far east, you should visit when it is windy. A landscape is beautiful only when it is visited by the wind.

We went around noon on a weekend and it was practically empty. We had the whole place to ourselves and even the garden. The garden also has a smaller bamboo forest as a quieter alternative to Arashiyama.

Go here! Really nice and worth the visit. Interesting history and has its own bamboo grove and the lake is gorgeous.

As attractive as it gets! Ancient temple with beautiful architecture and design. Everything is made up of wood. They charge 1000￥ as an entry ticket which is for the maintenance I feel. And the staff have maintained the the temple very well. They can speak little bit of English. You have to leave your shoes or sleepers at entrance and wear the sandals given by temple authority. There is a character writing class in the temple which you can experience for ￥1000. They have restrooms for men and women inside also for emergencies. There is a beautiful lake beside the temple where you can relax a bit before moving on to different spot. There is a bus stop in front of temple where you can catch the bus to reach an JR station. Only bus number 91 runs on this route. I feel it is like an residential area. I couldn't find any restaurant or eatery shop surrounding the temple . I would recommend this if you love exploring Japanese culture.

Recommended for those who want a more peaceful temple yet with great structure. Entrance fee is 500¥. Once you re done, you may topup 300¥ to proceed to Osawa pond which is right beside the temple.

** Hokoji Temple 方広寺 This temple belongs to Tendai Sect of Buddhism. It was originally built to store Daibutsu Statue ( Gigantic Stature of Buddha ) to which Toyotomi Hideyoshi made his wishes. The temple has the 2nd biggest temple bell in Kyoto after the one in Chion-in. If you take a close look at the fine detaiols on the bell it has a lot of letters curved on its surface. ( Trans-word+ TGM Kyoto Guide )

Huge beautiful bell. Small place not really worth going out of your way for but a definitely visit if you're nearby. We stayed only a block away and visited a few times in our week here. Nice peaceful place.

One of the three gigantic bells in Japan. Historically important as it is a start of the demise of Toyotomi family.

Really nice and "small" temple. Has a less tourist tone so it is really nice.

This Temple is a must-see!

(Translated by Google) Hokoji Temple in Higashiyama, Kyoto was founded by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It is said that during the Momoyama period, it had a very splendid temple and was very lively. Today, the bell tower that served as the starting point for the Battle of Osaka still retains the mighty virtues of that time. The large temple bell is engraved with the inscription ``National security and welfare, Lord and vassal Horaku,'' which Tokugawa Ieyasu had a hard time with. I'm grateful to be able to see up close what started a historical event. It was never placed on the ground during the Edo period, but it was revived in the Meiji period. If you visit it together with the neighboring Toyokuni Shrine, you can get a feel for the prosperity and fall of the Toyotomi era. (Original) 京都東山にある方広寺は豊臣秀吉によって開基された。桃山時代はとても立派な伽藍を擁し賑を見せたそうだ。今は大阪大阪の陣のきっかけとなった鐘楼がその当時の威徳を忍ばせる。大きな梵鐘には徳川家康が難癖をつけた国家安康、君臣豊楽の銘が刻まれている。歴史的事件の発端となるものを身近に見れるのがありがたい。江戸期は地面に置かれなる事は無かったが明治に入り復活した。隣の豊国神社とセットで見学すると豊臣時代の栄華と滅亡を肌に感じる事ができる。

(Translated by Google) This bell was made by the Tokugawa clan to weaken the power of Toyotomi. It's a pretty big place that's worth seeing and has a lot of history. There is also Toyokuni Shrine related to Toyotomi next door, so let's visit it together. (Original) 徳川が豊臣の勢力を弱らせるために作らせた鐘です。かなり大きく見応えと歴史を感じる場所です。隣に豊臣にまつわる豊国神社もあるのでセットでお参りしましょう。

Pros: Clean facilities, Ecologically designed areas, great view along the central pond Cons, A bit crowded, Frequent parking announcement, Some areas are not quite impressive

Place was alright, there's a small maze, couple of slides and large bouncy coushions. Free parking, a couple of vending machines. Bring a tent and food.

Lovely park, largest in Hyogo. Lots of varied areas and a nice lake to walk around. The climb to the top of the mountain is very steep and the downhill path on the lakeside is quite dangerous/difficult for the first 5-10 minutes. Not much open in winter but lots of food stands and things in the spring-autumn. Recommend for families and dog walkers especially.

One of our favourite places- spacious, green, great for kids of any age. There is a small museum, lovely playground that is fun to explore. Great for a picnic. I recommend a walk by the lake. Hiking courses to explore, too.

This is an amazing park! There is a science museum, which we didn't see this time because its closed on Mondays. We didn't even care because we had a wonderful time with our kids anyway. There is a playground that is completely off the hook, but I won't get into any details because it would spoil the surprise. Suffice it to say that your kids will not be disappointed if you go! There is a lot more to see and do, so we haven't even scratched the surface. The facilities are well maintained and clean, and there are plenty of restrooms and vending machines. We will definitely be back as often as we can.

The park was visited on a national holiday park was exceptionally clean there was one part of the park that was in need of repairs, and they were notices that the park would in fact have repairs done. Looking forward to visiting the park again once the repairs are done, it's a very simple but the lovely park.

Beautiful place with a nice lake.

Although, the temple complex was officially opened in 1678, Mount Ikoma was originally an object of worship for the ancient people in the region, and so this area was selected as a place for religious training. The training area is said to have opened in 655 by En no Gyōja. Many Buddhist monks, including Kūkai, are said to have trained in here. To fully appreciate this temple, be prepared to walk up as high as you can and explore the many areas of this temple. Put aside a good half day (longer, if you're a keen photographer). The temple has Goshuin (temple red stamp) available, and I bought an awesome keyring as a token of my gratitude.

I came at Saturday.. to Nara, actually. But it was too crowded and I didn’t get the tranquility I seek from my temple visit so I ride the train home— This is the temple that was near one of the station my train pass (Ikoma St.) Look at the high review and that we can use the cable car (derpy looking train photo.. hahahaha!) I decided to go. I want to try the derpy train. After riding the derpy cable car I walk up to the temple and.. finding an absolutely killer view of Ikoma. It was sunset. The atmosphere is so calm that it feels a little scary (because it begins to darken) and I’m only alone in the stairways, but soon I find other visitors too. There’s quite a lot actually! The temple is big. If you see the diorama photo, it was as high as it goes. I only reached the botton one where I can take my goshuin and go home afterwards. Recommended to visit!

Reaching the temple would demand you to climb 500+ stairs, but it's worth an experience. The other way to reach the temple is getting a cable car up the hill, but you would still need to climb 100 stairs. The place has an spiritual vibe to it, and not the miss an amazing view of the Ikoma city. Since it's up the hill, it's way cooler than the city and very green, which makes your experience pleasant!

A peaceful place for a respite from your day, and perhaps even from the pent up daily distractions of your life. It's not crowded, so you'll have the right atmosphere to get done what you need to get done. The water of sorts provides for a nice soundtrack, and the big trees make for an inviting place to have a short and shady rest.

Hidden gem, a must visit for those who love Japanese temples. Hozan-ji is the main temple in Japan for the cult of Kangiten, the Japanese Buddhist version of Ganesh, also named Shoten, one of the most important deities of Hinduism. Therefore, the site is frequently called Ikoma Shoten (or Shoden).

About halfway up the slopes of Mount Ikoma lies the beautiful temple complex of Hozan-ji. A perfect place to visit if you want to avoid crowds. To get there, take the very cute cat and dog cable cars up the mountainside

I will write it on English. Pretty good for knowing the culture and history of Ikoma City. Went here with tour guide, they explained that Ikoma City was built after this temple, I don't hear really clearly after that. You can go by cable car train from Ikoma Station, but the schedule is not so often, so you have to ask, or check the schedule before.

Lovely shrine with a lot to see. Busy at new years, but if you go in the evening during non-holidays you might be the only people there which makes it incredibly tranquil and the lighting makes it feel like another world.

The temple is dedicated to Kangiten, god of wisdom, joy and prosperity (usually depicted as an elephant figure, similar to the Hindu Ganesha), and is popular amongst merchants and entertainers.