Katsuo-ji Temple
Katsuo-ji Temple
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
227 reviews
Excellent
77
Very good
107
Average
33
Poor
4
Terrible
6
Angela D
Racine, WI9 contributions
Oct 2019
Breathtaking spot and atmosphere away from other touristy areas. Simply magical at night. If you do get the chance to go on New Years Eve, it’s fantastic though busy— but very cool to see all the traditional things happening. It was an experience like no other. Worth the long lines of traffic on that night.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holder DJ
Beijing, China39 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We took a morning trip out to the temple so that we could buy some daruma dolls and go through the ritual of bathing them in incense at the shrine, inscribing them with a wish for the future, filling in the left eye manually while there and taking home to see how our luck is haha. If all goes well, we will bring them back next year as a sign that the wish was fulfilled.
The temple grounds did not have many people, so it was very peaceful. Different from visiting temples in the city, so it was a nice respite. Wandering the grounds was nice and the mountain scenery added much to the experience.
Seeing the different sized daruma around the grounds an in unexpected places made for a "cute" environment, but upon reflecting that each one represented a wish fulfilled, it also made the environment uplifting.
This is out in the mountains surrounding Osaka, out the range of car-hailing apps. But don't worry about transportation back to the city. There is a phone at the main entrance that you just pick up, say your name and how many people, and then 15-20 minutes later a taxi will show up and the driver will come in and call your name.
You can purchase snacks and beverages at the main entrance, but this is not a place for a meal, so plan accordingly.
The temple grounds did not have many people, so it was very peaceful. Different from visiting temples in the city, so it was a nice respite. Wandering the grounds was nice and the mountain scenery added much to the experience.
Seeing the different sized daruma around the grounds an in unexpected places made for a "cute" environment, but upon reflecting that each one represented a wish fulfilled, it also made the environment uplifting.
This is out in the mountains surrounding Osaka, out the range of car-hailing apps. But don't worry about transportation back to the city. There is a phone at the main entrance that you just pick up, say your name and how many people, and then 15-20 minutes later a taxi will show up and the driver will come in and call your name.
You can purchase snacks and beverages at the main entrance, but this is not a place for a meal, so plan accordingly.
Written October 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Srampling
25 contributions
Jun 2018 • Family
This is a great temple in northern Osaka. Set in the mountains you can combine a trip here with a hike to the Minoh waterfall. I took a friend here during the past weekend as I didn't want to fight the crowds of Kyoto or Nara. It has now become one of my favourite temples in Japan. My kids loved finding all the hidden Daruma scattered around the temple and feeding the koi. We easily spend a few hours exploring. Next time, I plan to bring a picnic to eat on the grounds. I will also return in the fall as I believe the colours will be beautiful with all the maple trees around.
Sadly, I think this temple is getting more popular amongst foreigners so it may get more crowded in years to come.
The temple is a bit out of the way so coming by car is best. However, there is a bus from Minoh station.
Sadly, I think this temple is getting more popular amongst foreigners so it may get more crowded in years to come.
The temple is a bit out of the way so coming by car is best. However, there is a bus from Minoh station.
Written June 5, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tabigasuki08
Iwakuni, Japan826 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
One of my friends told me about this temple, and I made sure to add it to my Osaka itinerary. I am so happy that I did!!! The grounds are really beautifu! I think it is gorgeous in the fall, based on the many maple trees I saw as I walked around.
There are adorable little Daruma dolls everywhere. My friend and I loved finding them in random spots while we made our way to the temple.
They sell the Daruma dolls and they give you the instructions on how to use the doll to help you reach your goal.
We could have stayed for hours, enjoying the scenery!
We did have a little bit of trouble getting there. The English version of their website recommended taking the Midosuji Line to Senrichuo (from Shin-Osaka) and then it shows that a cab is 15min. That wasn’t the case though. When I asked the cab driver, he said 30min. And it would cost about ¥3,500 each way. I remembered something about a bus too so we rushed over to where the buses were and, luckily, there was one coming soon. If we had missed this one, the next one would have been 3 hours later. Thank goodness it all worked out. The bus fare was ¥490 each way. A lot cheaper than what the cab would have cost.
If taking the subway to Senrichuo, there are only 3 buses a day (weekday schedule) going to Katsuoji Temple. Ours left at 1115, but I’m not sure how often the schedule changes so please keep that in mind when planning your trip.
If you have a rental or you’re on a road trip, I recommend driving. They have quite a bit of parking.
Definitely a great spot to add to your Osaka itinerary!
There are adorable little Daruma dolls everywhere. My friend and I loved finding them in random spots while we made our way to the temple.
They sell the Daruma dolls and they give you the instructions on how to use the doll to help you reach your goal.
We could have stayed for hours, enjoying the scenery!
We did have a little bit of trouble getting there. The English version of their website recommended taking the Midosuji Line to Senrichuo (from Shin-Osaka) and then it shows that a cab is 15min. That wasn’t the case though. When I asked the cab driver, he said 30min. And it would cost about ¥3,500 each way. I remembered something about a bus too so we rushed over to where the buses were and, luckily, there was one coming soon. If we had missed this one, the next one would have been 3 hours later. Thank goodness it all worked out. The bus fare was ¥490 each way. A lot cheaper than what the cab would have cost.
If taking the subway to Senrichuo, there are only 3 buses a day (weekday schedule) going to Katsuoji Temple. Ours left at 1115, but I’m not sure how often the schedule changes so please keep that in mind when planning your trip.
If you have a rental or you’re on a road trip, I recommend driving. They have quite a bit of parking.
Definitely a great spot to add to your Osaka itinerary!
Written May 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mike g
Burleigh Heads, Australia372 contributions
May 2017
If you are looking for a fascinating attraction without the usual dozens of tour buses and their hundreds of passengers, don’t miss the 1,300-year-old Katsuo-Ji Temple - known as the “temple of the winner’s luck” - in a forested hillside of Mino City, on the northern outskirts of Osaka.
This is where people go to pray for success in any number of personal endeavours (school, business, health, sports, arts, etc.).
Having gone public (if only to yourself) with your winning aim – perhaps with the purchase of a “daruma” (tumbling doll), and especially if you choose a large one on which you write your name, address, next age and your winning goal – “everything depends on how much you can win for yourself,” a local guide said – in other words, how much effort you will put into the project.
Hundreds – probably more like thousands – of the egg-sized wooden darumas have been placed all around the temples and grounds. Every new year they are gathered up and burned, their smoke wafting up into the heavens. People pay from a few dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the size.
“Prayers for winner’s luck and also memorial services for ancestors, unborn babies and pets are offered every day,” the guide told us.
The guide from reception kindly showed us around the forested hillside location. A monk at the temple then helped us with painting the winning goal on small pumpkin-sized darumas and with the subsequent blessing.
Light refreshments and a variety of souvenirs are available. Expect an uplifting feeling from your visit and, hopefully, the motivation to achieve success in your goal by drawing on Katsuo-Ji Temple’s spiritual energy.
This is where people go to pray for success in any number of personal endeavours (school, business, health, sports, arts, etc.).
Having gone public (if only to yourself) with your winning aim – perhaps with the purchase of a “daruma” (tumbling doll), and especially if you choose a large one on which you write your name, address, next age and your winning goal – “everything depends on how much you can win for yourself,” a local guide said – in other words, how much effort you will put into the project.
Hundreds – probably more like thousands – of the egg-sized wooden darumas have been placed all around the temples and grounds. Every new year they are gathered up and burned, their smoke wafting up into the heavens. People pay from a few dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the size.
“Prayers for winner’s luck and also memorial services for ancestors, unborn babies and pets are offered every day,” the guide told us.
The guide from reception kindly showed us around the forested hillside location. A monk at the temple then helped us with painting the winning goal on small pumpkin-sized darumas and with the subsequent blessing.
Light refreshments and a variety of souvenirs are available. Expect an uplifting feeling from your visit and, hopefully, the motivation to achieve success in your goal by drawing on Katsuo-Ji Temple’s spiritual energy.
Written May 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pelangi Jingga D
381 contributions
Jun 2016 • Solo
I've been here in 27 September 2016, I walk from Minoo station and enjoy the great nature in here it's take about 3hours if you walk slowly and enjoying your adventure. No much you can do here, because it's only a temple.
Katsuoji is Famaous of Katsu Daruma, Katsu is mean (win) and Daruma is mean (Japanese doll) so it might be the doll will bring a fortune for you. It's no regular bus to go here, so if you want to go here it's better when you have a free time, so you can reach here.! It's will be close at 17:00, so please go before that time.!
If you go from Minoo Waterfall please bring extra water, and good in case you are hungry or thirsty. Because to go to Katsuoji there's no restaurant or a shop. Because it's in the middle of valleys. Need walks 3,5km to go here from Minoo waterfall..! So please prepare your self before to go here.. Oh just information Katsuoji is good when Autumn and Spring season it's serve Maple leaf and Sakura.! Hope you enjoy your travels, see you !
Katsuoji is Famaous of Katsu Daruma, Katsu is mean (win) and Daruma is mean (Japanese doll) so it might be the doll will bring a fortune for you. It's no regular bus to go here, so if you want to go here it's better when you have a free time, so you can reach here.! It's will be close at 17:00, so please go before that time.!
If you go from Minoo Waterfall please bring extra water, and good in case you are hungry or thirsty. Because to go to Katsuoji there's no restaurant or a shop. Because it's in the middle of valleys. Need walks 3,5km to go here from Minoo waterfall..! So please prepare your self before to go here.. Oh just information Katsuoji is good when Autumn and Spring season it's serve Maple leaf and Sakura.! Hope you enjoy your travels, see you !
Written June 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia H
Scappoose, OR126 contributions
Nov 2015
What a fantastic way to end our travels in Japan! The Fall colors were rich and bold, even though it was a foggy day. We visited on a weekday, and were pleasantly surprised by the low volume of visitors. We had ample time to explore the grounds as we listened to the monks chant and play drums (via an extensive sound system they have on the property). There were magnificent views from the main temple, and a vibrant koi pond at the entrance.
Definitely one of our favorite temples we visited on this incredible trip!
Definitely one of our favorite temples we visited on this incredible trip!
Written November 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miro
16 contributions
Nov 2022
Easily one of my favorite temples in Japan.
If you have a spare day in Osaka and you would like to escape from crowds, have a nice walk around the Temple located in the mountains - Katsuo-ji is definitely for you.
And you owe it to yourself to visit this Temple during autumn's momiji (when maple leaves are fully red) - the views are absolutely stunning there.
If you have a spare day in Osaka and you would like to escape from crowds, have a nice walk around the Temple located in the mountains - Katsuo-ji is definitely for you.
And you owe it to yourself to visit this Temple during autumn's momiji (when maple leaves are fully red) - the views are absolutely stunning there.
Written March 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark
Queenstown, New Zealand3,037 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
This temple has been a place of worship for several thousand years and situated in the mountains just north of Osaka.
After coming to this beautiful country for the past 10 years I have finally made it to a Sakura Season albeit towards the end.
Truly remarkable, I can see why the nation gets excited to see these beautiful flowers, they are truly spectacular.
Katsuo-ji is a fantastic place to wither away an hour or two whilst strolling through the grounds and admiring the vast beauty of the lake, the bridge, the temples and shrines and the general ambience and tranquillity of the area.
I thoroughly recommend this trip here, it's about 30 minutes by train from Osaka and then another 30 minutes or so on a bus but its' well worth it. To lovers of Japanese Botanical Gardens and Natured Parks this is a must see.
After coming to this beautiful country for the past 10 years I have finally made it to a Sakura Season albeit towards the end.
Truly remarkable, I can see why the nation gets excited to see these beautiful flowers, they are truly spectacular.
Katsuo-ji is a fantastic place to wither away an hour or two whilst strolling through the grounds and admiring the vast beauty of the lake, the bridge, the temples and shrines and the general ambience and tranquillity of the area.
I thoroughly recommend this trip here, it's about 30 minutes by train from Osaka and then another 30 minutes or so on a bus but its' well worth it. To lovers of Japanese Botanical Gardens and Natured Parks this is a must see.
Written April 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Quzc0
Malaysia165 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
If you have extra time in Osaka, you should definitely visit this temple located in the northern mountains of Osaka City. You can simply take the subway (Midosuji LIne) from Osaka to the last stop at Senri-Chuo. From the subway station, take bus #29 bound for Hokusetsu Reien (from bus stop no. 4) and alight at Katsuo-ji. Be aware of the bus schedule though, as there are only 3 buses per day during weekday. The view of the mountains and lake in front of the temple is truly breathtaking! So, go early in the morning to get the best shot of the reflection. Also, not forgetting the many daruma dolls "hidden" all over the temple ground. It was fun looking for these daruma dolls, like playing hide and seek.
Written November 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whats the best way to visit Katsuo-ji Temple along with Minoo Falls?
I’m thinking of taking a bus up to Katsuo-ji and making the hike downwards to the falls, and then to Minoo Park, Minoo Station, etc. so that it’s easier. Has anyone tried this before?
Written January 10, 2020
Yes, however, I did this the opposite way, from minoo to katsuo-ji. It all depends on your fitness level, it took me quite some time as I'm a photographer and I was taking pics and videos for Instagram and Youtube. but if you go straight to walk and not take much time it will take you a couple of hours. It is around 10-11Kms hike if I'm not wrong
Written January 11, 2020
20180729
Sydney, Australia
Hi everyone! I am interested in checking out this temple, I have been trying to look for the best ways to get there and back. Can anyone give me tips on transport from Osaka station and also is there a taxi stand at the temple? Thank you!
Written July 18, 2018
Hi, did anyone visit this pace in June, please? Did you see any hydrangeas at that time in early June? Thanks!!
Written June 5, 2018
Is there any food or drinks sold on site, please? Cheers!
Written June 5, 2018
Yes, there are food and drinks served in the back of the gift shop. I think the food menu is kind of small, but I did see some people eating yakisoba when I was there.
There were also some vending machines over by the restrooms.
Written June 5, 2018
do we have to pay for the entrance?
Written August 24, 2017
I am going this dec to jan2018. Do not know myself. Sorry.
Written October 14, 2017
Hi All,
Did you take the train to Minoo Station and then head to the temple? I was thinking of getting a cab from the station to the temple and then hiking to the waterfall and park. Anyone see any issue with this? Thanks for your help!
Written April 19, 2017
We hailed a cab from Minoh station
Written April 20, 2017
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