Tennoji

Tennoji Osaka includes Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku Tower, Tennoji Zoo, Spa World and the first Buddhist temple in Japan. Tennoji, with Shinsekai as the center, is a home of Shogi (Japanese chess) and Kushikatsu (meat, fish and vegetables breaded and deep fried on sticks). Tennoji is the most run-down area in Osaka where you will see many homeless people. Tsutenkaku Tower is the landmark of the area. Shinsekai restaurant **Shinsekai**The area around Tsutenkaku Tower is called Shinsekai, which is literally means ‘new world’. This area has remained largely untouched over the years unlike other parts of Osaka. One highlight is Jan-Jan Yokocho, which runs along one side of Shinsekai. This dining and shopping street contains Izakaya (Japanese-style pubs) and Kushikatsu restaurants (meat, fish and vegetables breaded and deep fried on sticks). **Tsutenkaku Tower**Modelled after the Eiffel Tower, the original Tsutenkaku Tower with a height of 64 meters, was built in 1912 which was the tallest structure in the Orient at the time. The current Tsutenkaku Tower was built in 1956 with a height of 103 meters and has an observation deck on its 5th floor, where you can meet a charming God of Happiness, Billiken statue. Shinsekai with Tsutenkaku Tower Spa WorldSpa World is one of the largest spa leisure complexes in the world offering 16 different baths from 11 different countries, as well as a indoor swimming pool. You can also try fish Therapy which little fish eat dead skin on your feet for additional 1050 yen. Address: 3-4-24 Ebisu-higashi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi Access: 1 min walk from Shin-imamiya Station (JR Osaka Loop Line) Opening hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week Admission: 2700 yen Spa World Osaka Tennoji ZooTennoji Zoo houses some 1,500 animals of 300 different species, including koalas, lesser pandas, elephants, and the only kiwi bird in Japan (kept in the nocturnal animal house which replicates the habitat of night animals). To promote better understanding of animals’ natural habitats and their relationship with the natural environment, as well as awareness of the necessity for environmental protection, the zoo opened the reptile house in 1995, followed by the hippopotamus house in 1997. In the hippopotamus house the underwater behavior of these animals can be observed for the first time in Japan. Address: 1-108 Chausuyama, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi Access: 10 min walk from Tennoji Station (JR Osaka Loop Line) Opening hours: 9:30am – 4pm Close: Mondays Admission: 500 yen Shitennoji TempleShitennoji Temple was the first Buddhist temple in Japan. It was originally built in 593 by Prince Regent Shotoku Taishi. In 587, when he was only 14 years old, together with his father-in-law, Soga no Umako, head of the most powerful clan Soga, fought against Mononobe no Moriya, head of the Mononobe clan, who was against the introduction of Buddhism into Japan. The prince prayed for help to the Shitenno (Four Buddhist Heavenly Guardian Kings) and promised them to build a Imperial Temple in their honor if the Shitenno helped him to defeat the enemies. His army became victorious thus he constructed a temple and named it Shitennoji (the Temple of the Four Heavenly Buddhist Guardians). At the side of the Torii Gate in front of the Great West Gate, there is a stone monument which reads : ” The Buddhism arrived here for the first time in Japan”. Many buildings were destroyed several times, by fires, civil wars, typhoons, earthquakes and the U.S. bombings in 1945 during the World War II and were rebuilt in 1963. Address: 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka-shi Access: 8 min walk from Tennoji Station (JR Osaka Loop Line) Opening hours: 8:30am – 4:30pm, 7 days a week Admission: 300 yen Sumiyoshitaisha ShrineSumiyoshitaisha Shrine is the most famous shrine in Osaka. It is the headquarter of some 2000 Sumiyoshi shrines throughout Japan. It enshrines three gods that have long been worshiped for protecting the nation, for protecting sea voyages and for promoting waka (31-syllable) poetry. The main shrine is designed in the oldest style of shrine construction and is registered as a National Treasure. The shrine’s symbol, the gracefully arched Taiko-bashi Bridge, spans the pond in front of the shrine. This shrine is referred to in the ‘Nihon Shoki’ (the Chronicles of Japan), in ‘Kojiki’ (Ancient Chronicles) and in ‘The Tale of Genji’. Address: 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi Access: 1 min walk from Sumiyoshitaisha Station (Nankai Line) Opening hours: 6am – 5pm, 7 days a week Soribashi (Taikobashi) BridgeSoribashi, also called Taikobashi, is 4.4 meters in height with a maximum grade of 48 degrees, beautifully formed in vermillion. It is said to have been built by Hideyori Toyotomi. Its wooden beams and deck boards require frequent replacement, and the current Soribashi was completed in 1981, but the stone bridge posts and braces are said to have not been changed since the times of Toyotomi. This bridge is crossed for the purpose of cleansing away sins and filth before approaching the gods, and the reason that the bridge is so steep is said to be because it was likened to a rainbow since it connected the terrestrial world of humans and the celestial world of gods. Scenery of the main shrine viewed from this bridge is exquisite. Also, during Kangetsusai (full moon festival) held on the night of the mid-autumn full moon, waka and haiku are composed on this bridge. |