Namba-yasaka-jinja, Shinto shrine in Namba district, Osaka, Japan.
Namba-yasaka-jinja is a shrine in Namba that has become one of the most photographed sites in Osaka, with its towering lion head built from concrete and wood. The head rises several stories high and opens its mouth over a stage where events and prayers take place inside.
The site was founded in the early 4th century when an epidemic struck the region and a divine vision called for its construction. The lion head appeared in the 1970s to create a new landmark after wartime destruction.
The name refers to a shrine site on a rise in Namba, marking a spot where a low hill once stood above flat ground. Visitors often toss coins into the open mouth, hoping for blessings and protection from misfortune.
The walk from the station passes through residential streets and takes about eight minutes, with the lion head visible from a distance. The courtyard remains open during daylight hours, with the quietest moments in the morning and early evening.
The lion's eyes light up after dark, transforming the entrance into an illuminated spectacle during evening festivals. Rows of teeth and a sculpted tongue give the structure a lifelike quality that surprises many passersby.
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