四天王寺

Shitenno-ji Temple

Japan's Oldest Buddhist Temple

Operating Hours

1 Apr - 30 Sep: 08:00 to 16:30 (Daily)

1 Oct - 31 Mar: 08:30 to 16:00 (Daily)

Cost

¥300

Central Temple

¥300

Garden

¥500

Treasure Hall

The Shitennō-ji Temple is considered to be Japan’s oldest and the first to be officially built by the government at the time.
On the 21st and 22nd of each month, the Shitennō-ji Flea Market is held at the temple grounds.
Aerial view of Shitennoji Temple in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

Credit: Yuta Koike (Unsplash)

Shitenno-ji Temple's Story

Founded in 593 by , he was one of the key figures involved in bringing Buddhism over from China into Japan, and named the temple after the , the four heavenly kings in Buddhism who protect the world from evil.
The temple’s buildings have been burnt down and rebuilt multiple times over history, although each time, great care is taken to ensure that they retain their original appearance. The current buildings date back to the 1960s and 1970s.

Recommended Spots in Shitenno-ji Temple

四天王寺骨董市

Shitennō-ji Flea Market

Operating Hours

08:30 to 16:00 (Daily)

Happens every 21st and 22nd of each month, from around 8.30am in the morning and ending around 4pm.

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中心伽藍

Chūshin Garan

The Chūshin Garan is the temple’s inner complex, and is a ticketed section of the temple grounds.

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Optional Stops in Shitenno-ji Temple

四天王寺宝物館

Treasure House

A small museum on the temple grounds, the Treasure House exhibits various Buddhist statues, paintings, and sacred artifacts, including some classified as National Treasures. It is a ticket attraction, and is recommended only if you have a strong interest in Buddhism.

極楽浄土の庭

Gokuraku-jodo Garden

A garden named after the Buddha’s Pure Land, Gokuraku-jodo (極楽浄土, lit. Paradise Land) is a small Japanese garden at the back of the garden, designed after the the Buddha’s Pure Land as described in scriptures. The garden is a ticketed attraction.

Shitenno-ji Temple Is Mentioned In

Getting to Shitenno-ji Temple

From

四天王寺前夕陽ヶ丘駅

Shitenno-ji-mae Yuhigaoka Station

T26

谷町線

Tanimachi Line

Take Exit 4

Walk
4 mins
300m
From

天王寺駅

Tenno-ji Station

M23

御堂筋線

Midosuji Line

T27

谷町線

Tanimachi Line

JR-O01

大阪環状線

Osaka Loop Line

JR-R20

阪和線

Hanwa Line

JR-Q20

大和路線

Yamatoji Line

Take Exit 7

Walk
10 mins
750m
Canal boardwalks in Dotonbori in Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

大阪

Osaka

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