Hōzen-ji, Buddhist temple in Nanba district, Osaka, Japan
Hōzen-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Namba district of Osaka, nestled between narrow alleys and traditional shops. The grounds include a small courtyard with stone pathways, a main hall, and lanterns that light up the wooden structures in the evening.
The monk Kinun founded the temple in 1637 and later moved it from Uji to Nanba, where merchants used it as a spiritual site. Air raids in 1945 destroyed the entire complex, with only the statue surviving the fires.
The Fudo Myo-o statue is entirely covered in moss that has grown over the years from water poured by visitors. This gesture is believed to grant wishes and is repeated daily by people from all over the city.
The temple sits one minute on foot from Namba Station and remains open to visitors every day, even when no ceremony is taking place. Buddhist rituals occur on the 28th day of each month, and visitors can attend these gatherings.
The grounds have experienced multiple fires throughout their history, and after each reconstruction the statue remained at the center. Its moss layer became so thick after the war that it now serves as a symbol of renewal.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
