Kuchinawazaka Slope

In short

One of the "Tennoji Nanasaka Slopes" on the Uemachi Plateau, known as the setting for the novel Ki no Miyako by Osaka-born author Oda Sakunosuke. There are two theories about the origin of its name: one that it is shaped like a snake (kuchinawa) when viewed from the bottom of the slope, and another that it was the starting point for rope marking when Osaka Castle was built. The area around the seven slopes has many temples and shrines, and it is registered as an Urban Landscape Resource of Osaka City.

• ​From Stone Pavement to Stone Steps​​: The slope changes from stone pavement to stone steps, offering a quiet, graceful beauty. With the shade of trees, you can enjoy a pleasant walk along the slope
• ​Oda Sakunosuke Literary Monument​​: At the top of the slope stands a literary monument to Oda Sakunosuke, engraved with a passage from Ki no Miyako. The information board at Zenryu-ji Temple records that Sakunosuke loved this slope and walked up and down it many times
• ​Weeping Cherry Blossoms in Spring​​: Partway up the slope, weeping cherry blossoms in full bloom peek out from the garden of Zenryu-ji Temple in spring, making it a popular spot for people taking photos

History and Highlights

​Kuchinawazaka Slope​ is one of the Tennoji Nanasaka Slopes located on the Uemachi Plateau. From north to south, the seven slopes run in the order of Shingonzaka, Genshojizaka, Kuchinawazaka, Aizenzaka, Kiyomizuzaka, Tenjinzaka, and Ousaka. Osaka City has few slopes, and it is said that the Uemachi Plateau extending south of Osaka Castle is the only place where slopes exist. The area around the seven slopes has many temples and shrines, and it is registered as an Urban Landscape Resource of Osaka City.

Regarding the origin of its name, there are theories that it was named because it resembles the shape of a snake (kuchinawa) when viewed from the bottom of the slope, and another that it was the starting point for rope marking (nawauchi) during the construction of Osaka Castle. An information board at Zenryu-ji Temple near the slope states that "kuchinawa is an ancient word for snake."

Kuchinawazaka Slope is known as the setting for the novel Ki no Miyako by Osaka-born author Oda Sakunosuke. Ki no Miyako was published in the magazine Shincho in 1944 (Showa 19), and is said to be a short work suffused with the author's nostalgia for old Osaka.

Highlights for Viewing and Experiencing

• ​From Cobblestones to Stone Steps​​: The slope changes from stone pavement to stone steps, offering a quiet, graceful beauty. With the shade of trees, visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk along the slope.
• ​Oda Sakunosuke Literary Monument​​: At the top of the slope stands a literary monument to Oda Sakunosuke, engraved with a passage from Ki no Miyako. The information board at Zenryu-ji Temple records that Sakunosuke loved this slope and walked up and down it many times.
• ​Weeping Cherry Blossoms in Spring​​: Midway up the slope, weeping cherry blossoms in full bloom peek out from the garden of Zenryu-ji Temple in spring, making it a popular spot for photographers.

Strolling Tips

It is about a 3-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line. About 220 meters southeast from the top of the slope lies Oe-jinja Shrine, and about 240 meters away is Shoman-in Temple / Aizen-do Hall; walking these along with the adjacent Aizenzaka allows you to continuously enjoy the temple-town atmosphere characteristic of the seven slopes. You can also extend your walk to Ikukunitama-jinja Shrine, located about 700 meters to the north, or Shitenno-ji Temple, located about 720 meters to the southeast.