Shitennoji (四天王寺, Shitennōji) is one of Japan's oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. It was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, who supported the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. Although the temple's buildings burned down several times over the centuries, they were always carefully reconstructed to reflect the original 6th century design.
The outer temple grounds are free to enter, but admission to the inner precinct, the Gokuraku-jodo Garden and the treasure house is paid. In the pebble-covered courtyard of the inner precinct stand a five-storied pagoda that can be entered and ascended and the Main Hall (Kondo) in which Prince Shotoku is enshrined as a statue of Kannon.
A short walk away, the Gokuraku-jodo Garden was designed based on descriptions of the Western Paradise of the Amida Buddha. Also on the temple grounds stands a treasure house that displays paintings, scriptures and other valuable belongings of the temple in periodic, themed exhibitions.
Getting there and around
Shitennoji is a short walk from Shitennoji-mae-Yuhigaoka Station on the Tanimachi Subway Line. Alternatively, it can be reached in a ten minute walk north of Tennoji Station on the JR Osaka Loop Line.
How to get to and around Osaka
Hours and Fees
Hours
8:30 to 16:30 (until 16:00 from October through March); slightly longer hours on the 21st of each month and on some other special days
Closed
The treasure house has long closures between exhibitions
Admission
300 yen (inner precinct), 300 yen (garden), 500 yen (treasure house)
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Osaka
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Kaneyoshi RyokanA modern Japanese inn in Dotombori. the center of Osaka. 2 subway stations nearby. Close to many shops and Osaka Castle.View siteSponsored
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Top rated in Osaka
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Hotel 88 ShinsaibashiHotel 88 Shinsaibashi is an 8-minute walk from OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) and a 10-minute walk from Namba Station. Glico Man Sign is a 4-minute walk from the property. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. Featuring modern d?cor, all rooms come with air conditioning and heating facilities, a flat-screen TV and pajamas. Private bathroom includes a bath, walk-in shower, hairdryer, toilet with an electronic bidet and free toiletries. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy billiards at the property. There is a drinks vending machine, and laundry service can be arranged. Tsutenkaku and Shinsekai shopping street are a 16-minute train ride away. Osaka Itami Airport is a 45-minute drive from Hotel 88 Shinsaibashi.View on Booking.com -
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Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female OnlyGuesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only features accommodation within 2.5 km of the centre of Osaka, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with an oven, a microwave and a toaster. The air-conditioned accommodation is 1.1 km from Toyosaki Shrine. The accommodation provides a 24-hour front desk, a shared kitchen and luggage storage for guests. All units are fitted with a fridge, stovetop, a coffee machine, a kitchenware and kettle. All units have a shared bathroom, slippers and bed linen. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Catholic Osaka Umeda Church, Tsunashikiten Shrine Otabisha and Tomishima Shrine. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 20 km from Guesthouse Ten-roku - Female Only.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi3-star accommodation, HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi is located in central Osaka, 600 metres from Dotonbori River and the Ebisu Tower Ferris Wheel, 700 metres from popular music and shopping district America Village. Conveniently located in the Chuo Ward, the hotel is situated 2.4 km from Shinsekai. The hotel offers a 24-hour front desk with multi-lingual staff. Free WiFi is available at the hotel. Each air-conditioned room is equipped with a flat-screen TV and desk. Free toiletries and rain shower are provided in all rooms, while certain rooms feature a bathtub. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Traditional locations such as Shitennoji Temple and Kuromon Ichiba Market are within 2.5 km from the hotel. Osaka Itami Airport and Kansai International Airport are both less than a one-hour train ride from HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi.View on Booking.com -
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Feel Osaka YuOpen in 2018, just a minute's walk from Shinsaibashi Station, Feel Osaka Yu offers shared dormitory rooms and private rooms. Free WiFi and a shared kitchen are provided. Guests can conveniently go shopping at the nearby America Village. Osaka Castle is a 5-train ride from the property, while Umeda is a 6-minute train ride away. The shared bathroom is fitted with free toiletries. All guest rooms will provide guests with a microwave. Yodoya Bridge and Kyocera Dome are both a 4-minute train ride away. Nagahoribashi Station is a 10-minute walk away.View on Booking.com -
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Citadines Namba OsakaCitadines Namba Osaka has a fitness centre, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Osaka. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a shared kitchen and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 300 metres from Nipponbashi Catholic Church. All rooms at the hotel come with air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Each room is fitted with a kettle, while some rooms are fitted with a kitchen with a stovetop. At Citadines Namba Osaka the rooms include bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Popular points of interest near Citadines Namba Osaka include Nipponbashi Park, Komyo-ji Temple and Shinko-ji Temple. Itami Airport is 22 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Hotel Royal Classic OsakaBoasting a bar, Hotel Royal Classic Osaka is set in the centre of Osaka, 400 metres from Motomachinaka Park. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, room service and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at Hotel Royal Classic Osaka. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Orange Street, Glico Man Sign and Naniwa Park. Itami Airport is 21 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKAWell set in the centre of Osaka, HOTEL THE LEBEN OSAKA is within 500 metres of TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center and 400 metres of Stage Ku. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries and a wardrobe. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Shinsaibashi Station, Namba Shrine and Nipponbashi Monument. Itami Airport is 21 km away.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi NorthLocated in the Chuo Ward district in Osaka, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North offers 4-star rooms with free WiFi. The property is situated less than 1 km from Nipponbashi Monument, a 9-minute walk from Zojugoi Yasuidoton Dobokukiko Monument and 1 km from Mitsutera Temple. The property is 2.3 km from the city centre and 500 metres from Stage Ku. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All units include bed linen. Popular points of interest near MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi North include TKP Shinsaibashi Ekimae Conference Center, Shinsaibashi Station and Namba Shrine. Itami Airport is 21 km away.View on Booking.com -
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MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi WestAttractively situated in the Nishi Ward district of Osaka, MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West is situated 600 metres from Namba Shrine, less than 1 km from Samuhara Shrine and a 10-minute walk from Wakoji Temple. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage space and free WiFi. The property is 300 metres from Kokoni Sunaba Ariki Monument, and within 1.9 km of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a wardrobe, a kettle, a fridge, a microwave, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At MIMARU Osaka Shinsaibashi West rooms include bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Manpuku-ji Temple, Orange Street and Amida Pond. Itami Airport is 20 km from the property.View on Booking.com -
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Guest House YadomaruFeaturing 1-star accommodation, Guest House Yadomaru is set in Osaka, 500 metres from Tempozan Ferris Wheel and 3.1 km from Isoji Central Park. The air-conditioned accommodation is 3.2 km from Minato Kumin Centre. Aeon Mall Osaka Dome City is 6.1 km from the guest house and Hirao Park is 6.1 km away. Featuring a shared bathroom, units at the guest house also feature free WiFi. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Universal Studios Japan is 6.4 km from the guest house, while Chishima Park is 6.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is Itami Airport, 27 km from Guest House Yadomaru.View on Booking.com
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Experiences around Osaka
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Limited-Time: Sumo Experience and A Bowl of Chanko NabeJoin an amazing 90-minute session to learn and practice sumo and challenge a sumo wrestler to a mock match, then enjoy a bowl of delicious chanko nabe!View experienceSponsored
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Top rated in Osaka
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Osaka Nighttime Guided Food TourExplore local neighborhoods many visitors don’t get to seeView on Klook -
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Kendo Experience Tour In Osaka "SAMURAI TRIP"Enjoy a real samurai experience with a 2-hour class to learn Kendo, a Japanese martial art formView on Klook -
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Kimono Rental by Kimono Botan in OsakaMakes me feel better! Let's stroll around Osaka in your favorite kimonoView on Klook -
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World Heritage Shirakawago and Takayama Private Tour from NagoyaLearn about the history of Japanese traditional buildings at your leisure.View on Klook -
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Japanese Ceramics DIY Private Workshop in OsakaA pottery workshop in Osaka with an English, Spanish and Catalan speaking potterView on Klook -
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Kyoto and Nara Private Car Charter with English Speaking GuideExplore Kyoto and Nara city on a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto!View on Klook -
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Ninja Workshop and Costume Rental Experience in OsakaBecome a ninja for a day on this 1 hour ninja workshop and costume rental experience in OsakaView on Klook -
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Osaka Highlights Private Day TourVisit the best spots in Osaka, including the famous Osaka Castle and Dotonbori Glico Spot, in just one day!View on Klook -
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Japanese Initial D Sports Car Rental in OsakaExperience the one-to-one restoration of the sports car in Initial D in Japan, and it can be driven on the road!View on Klook -
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Japanese Weaving Experience in Osaka"Saori weaving" without a role model. You can enjoy the weave of your choice.View on Klook
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