Shitennoji
Shitennoji
4
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The oldest temple in Japan, built over 1,400 years ago, this temple is famous for its symmetrical design and even has an architectural arrangement named after it,”Shitenno-ji-style temple layout.”
Duration: 1-2 hours
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How to get there
- Shitennōji-mae Yūhigaoka • 7 min walk
- Tennōji • 9 min walk
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10,000 within 3 miles
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1,800 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
1,114 reviews
Excellent
339
Very good
514
Average
220
Poor
31
Terrible
10
Martina1888
Inverness, UK513 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
The outer temple grounds can be visited for free but you have to pay a small fee if you want to visit the pagoda or the gardens. There are lots of vending machines and toilets on the vast temple grounds. At the time I visited there was a ceremony with chanting taking place which was quite fascinating. I loved the smell of incense which was omnipresent on the grounds.
Written September 19, 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.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China14,204 contributions
Apr 2023
This is the most impressive attraction in downtown Osaka. Shitenno-ji, or the Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings, is some of the oldest Buddhist sites in Japan. The vast, spacious compound includes some neat and photogenic buildings as well as colorful decorations. While the crowd in Dotombori can be unbearable, this is the perfect place for urban escape.
Written April 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.
Kimitaka S
Taichung, Taiwan14,141 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
Shitennō-ji is a famous temple, which was founded by Shotokutaishi. It is certainly worth visiting. But the main building and the pagoda are reconstructions, and unfortunately I couldn’t feel anything historical. To enter the central area, you have to pay the entrance. But in my opinion, there is nothing to see in the pagoda.
Written January 7, 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.
Jesse_Gee1
Seattle, WA307 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Hit this temple of first thing . It was very fascinating to see the structures and history . Also on temple grounds every 21st and 22nd of every month they have flea market . Great food and shopping .
Written April 21, 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.
expat2
Illinois53 contributions
On the 21st of every month there is a huge temple sale (flea market). Everything from swords, kimonos, kokeshi dolls, pottery, the list goes on and on. Haggling is fine here, I rarely pay the first price they ask for.
Written April 4, 2008
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.
Yosawa
Bangkok, Thailand64 contributions
Mar 2011
The temple is huge and full of Chinese style. Good place for sightseeing with no admission fee.
The way from Tennoji station has small local market. You can get Japanese sweet, seaweed, souvenir and various kinds of goods there.
The flea market is the temple is amazing! About hundred of sale tents and cheap ones too. Although many cheap goods come from China. They are still irresistable. I spent 500Y and got 2 handbags ! And there are many handicrafts and pottery too.
There are also food stores. Great taste with low price.
Recommend this market to ones who want to see real Japanese style flea market and look for cheap Japanese souvenirs.
The way from Tennoji station has small local market. You can get Japanese sweet, seaweed, souvenir and various kinds of goods there.
The flea market is the temple is amazing! About hundred of sale tents and cheap ones too. Although many cheap goods come from China. They are still irresistable. I spent 500Y and got 2 handbags ! And there are many handicrafts and pottery too.
There are also food stores. Great taste with low price.
Recommend this market to ones who want to see real Japanese style flea market and look for cheap Japanese souvenirs.
Written March 24, 2011
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.
Joe R
Katy, TX225 contributions
Not only is this temple/pagoda stunning to see, the sale on the 21st of the month was a lot of fun, as well! There are HUNDREDS of sales tents set up and THOUSANDS of people roaming around the temple grounds. You can find some good food and some good deals on some cheap souvenirs for your friends back home. This is a MUST see, and I'd suggest you see it on the 21st if at all possible!
Written September 28, 2008
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.
Indiana_Jonesse
San Francisco, CA7,370 contributions
Feb 2015 • Solo
Admission is 300 yen. Take the north exit of the station and keep going straight on Abeno-suji Avenue up towards Tanimachi-suji Avenue. The temple will be on your right. This ancient temple has the 5 layer structure where Buddhists' philosophy of the five elements of the universe parallels that of the Hindu. The five story structure represents the five elements of the universe.
As noted initially, admission is 300 yen. There is much to see outside whether you choose to go inside or not including a monk's residence on the left, the gigantic incense burner, tore, in front or the temple. There is another 200 yen admission to the adjoining museum. Though this is a nice place to visit, the overall environment lacks greenery and landscaping making your stroll on the gravel landscape. This is one of the temples that dates back to 593.
As noted initially, admission is 300 yen. There is much to see outside whether you choose to go inside or not including a monk's residence on the left, the gigantic incense burner, tore, in front or the temple. There is another 200 yen admission to the adjoining museum. Though this is a nice place to visit, the overall environment lacks greenery and landscaping making your stroll on the gravel landscape. This is one of the temples that dates back to 593.
Written February 13, 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.
ukairo_dash
Osaka, Japan54 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
There is a Flea Market at this temple complex on the 21st of each month. Some interesting stuff! Most of what you will find is typical things, but this flea market has the best selection I have seen in Japan...
Written May 8, 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.
jayyen93
Dublin, Ireland610 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Most Japan tourists come to Osaka to take a break from marvelous temples of Kyoto and Nara, but Shitenno-ji Temple is still a recommended destination in Osaka! The first true Buddhist temple, Shitenno-ji is a serene complex in the midst of the bustling city scene that is perfect to stroll especially in the early morning.
Shitenno-ji Temple is dedicated to its namesake the Four Heavenly Kings, the Buddhist deities whom the emperor prayed for success and won against a rebellion. Though not in its original location, the temple still does not lose its Buddhist tranquility and historical significance. Unlike many notable Buddhist temples in the region, the majority of the complex excluding the main hall and the garden is free to access!
Be sure to walk around the main hall whether or not you are planning to pay to go inside to find the many interesting small halls and the large Hall of Perpetual Worship with its ponds full of sunbathing turtles. If you choose to pay, you can access the pagoda that has many primitive Japanese Buddhist wall paintings, the main hall that has one of the earliest Shitenno statues with beautiful wall paintings of Buddha's life, and the lecture hall with two new large statues and colorful wall paintings of a monk's journey to the west to acquire Buddhist texts.
Since almost all Osaka attractions open at 10, why not start your morning off with a religious tranquility? Though this is a walk from the closest subway stations, Shitenno-ji Temple is definitely worth checking out!
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tl;dr version
1) First true Buddhist temple in Japan
2) Majority of area is free to access
Shitenno-ji Temple is dedicated to its namesake the Four Heavenly Kings, the Buddhist deities whom the emperor prayed for success and won against a rebellion. Though not in its original location, the temple still does not lose its Buddhist tranquility and historical significance. Unlike many notable Buddhist temples in the region, the majority of the complex excluding the main hall and the garden is free to access!
Be sure to walk around the main hall whether or not you are planning to pay to go inside to find the many interesting small halls and the large Hall of Perpetual Worship with its ponds full of sunbathing turtles. If you choose to pay, you can access the pagoda that has many primitive Japanese Buddhist wall paintings, the main hall that has one of the earliest Shitenno statues with beautiful wall paintings of Buddha's life, and the lecture hall with two new large statues and colorful wall paintings of a monk's journey to the west to acquire Buddhist texts.
Since almost all Osaka attractions open at 10, why not start your morning off with a religious tranquility? Though this is a walk from the closest subway stations, Shitenno-ji Temple is definitely worth checking out!
---
tl;dr version
1) First true Buddhist temple in Japan
2) Majority of area is free to access
Written June 22, 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.
Tu Pham
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
How much is it for entrance fee? Thank you!
ohdomodomo111
Osaka, Japan19 contributions
You must pay 300 japanese yan for entrance and 500 yan to enter the house of treasures.
rachaelphilip
shah alam
Is there an entrance fee to temples?
YUFEC11
Jakarta, Indonesia313 contributions
there is a fee for inside area, for outside area free, i suggest dont enter the paid area. worthless
Sachizmom
Honolulu, HI31 contributions
What were the hours?
Ellen Neo
Singapore River, Singapore145 contributions
Inner precinct
Hours: 8:30 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from October through March)
Closed: No closing days
Fees: 300 yen
Gokuraku-jodo Garden
Hours: 8:30 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from October through March)
Admission ends 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: Frequent closures, particularly during the first ten days of many months.
Fees: 300 yen
Treasure House
Hours: 8:30 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from October through March)
Closed: Long closures between exhibitions
Fees: 500 yen
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Frequently Asked Questions about Shitennoji
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Shitennoji Information
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