Hōraku-ji, Buddhist temple in Higashisumiyoshi-ku, Japan
Hōraku-ji is a Buddhist temple in Osaka with traditional Japanese wooden structures, sliding doors, and carefully maintained gardens surrounding the main buildings. The complex includes several pavilions arranged around a central courtyard that exemplifies classical temple design.
The temple was founded in 1178 by Taira no Shigemori and became an important center for Japanese Buddhism. Over the centuries it endured transformations yet remained a continuous place for spiritual practice and teaching.
The temple hosts regular prayer ceremonies and meditation gatherings where visitors can observe how Buddhist practices are woven into daily life. The spaces inside encourage contemplation and show how spiritual traditions continue to shape the community here.
The temple is easily accessible by subway from nearby stations and opens regularly throughout the day. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since parts of the complex require walking barefoot through certain areas.
This temple forms part of the Kinki Thirty-six Fudoson Sacred Ground, a series of sacred sites across the region that preserve specific Buddhist teachings. This network connection reveals its place within a larger spiritual web that has endured for centuries.
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