Shitennō-ji

Shitennō-ji is a Buddhist temple in the Tennōji ward of Osaka, one of the oldest religious sites in Japan. The grounds feature a five-story pagoda, a golden pavilion housing a Kannon statue, and lecture halls connected by covered corridors and three gates.

Prince Shōtoku founded the temple in 593 to promote Buddhism and give it a permanent place in Japan. Three Korean carpenters from Baekje helped with construction and brought new techniques to the island.

The name honors the four heavenly kings of Buddhism, who appear as guardians at the corners of the complex. Visitors see these figures dressed in traditional armor, worshiped in the same way for centuries.

The complex sits about a five-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station and is easy to reach on foot. The inner precinct requires an entrance fee of 300 yen, while the attached treasure museum costs 500 yen.

The site was not just a religious center but also housed a hospital, a pharmacy, and a welfare facility for those in need. These four institutions together served the education and health of people in the surrounding area.

Location: Shitennōji

Inception: 593

Founders: Prince Shōtoku

Architectural style: Shitennō-ji style

Part of: seven great temples founded by Prince Shōtoku, New Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, 49 svetih mest Saigokuja Jakušija, 攝津國三十三箇所, Ochenta y ocho lugares sagrados de Settsu, Thirteen Buddhist Sites of Osaka, なにわ七幸めぐり, Historical Sites of Prince Shōtoku, Shinbutsu Reijō Junpai no Michi, The Twenty-Fifth Reikyo of Dharan Shonin, Kinki Thirty-six Fudoson Sacred Ground

Address: 大阪府大阪市天王寺区四天王寺1丁目11-18

Opening Hours: Poniedziałek-Niedziela 08:30-16:00

Phone: +81667710066

Website: https://shitennoji.or.jp

GPS coordinates: 34.65390,135.51645

Latest update: December 15, 2025 00:48