Namba Yasaka-jinja Shrine

In short

A shrine located in Motomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City, long called "Namba Shimo-no-Miya" as the ubusunagami (local guardian deity) of the entire Namba area. The enshrined deity is Susanoo-no-Mikoto. The main hall burned in the Osaka Air Raids but was rebuilt in 1974 (Showa 49), and at this time, along with the completion of the main hall, the Shishiden, shaped like a lion's head, was built.

• ​Shishiden​​: Standing 12 meters tall, this building is shaped like a wide-open lion's head. It is said that its large mouth calls for victory and swallows evil spirits to bring luck in winning, and visitors come from across the country seeking success in academics, employment, entrance examinations, and business prosperity
• ​Tsunahiki Shinji (Tug-of-War Ritual)​​: Held annually on the third Sunday of January, this ritual is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Osaka City. A rope shaped like Yamata no Orochi with eight heads and eight tails is made, and people tug against each other on the shrine grounds in the direction of the year's ehō (auspicious direction)
• ​Summer Festival and Funatogyo Boat Procession​​: During the summer festival on July 13 and 14, portable shrines (mikoshi) and taiko drums parade through Sennichimae, Dotonbori, and Ebisubashi-suji. In 2001 (Heisei 13), the Funatogyo Boat Procession was revived for the first time in 230 years since the Edo period, and it takes place on the Dotonbori River on the day of the Yoimiya (eve) festival

History and Highlights

​Namba Yasaka-jinja Shrine​ is a shrine located in Motomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City, and has long been called "Namba Shimo-no-Miya" as the ubusunagami (local guardian deity) of the entire Namba area. During the Enkyu era of Emperor Go-Sanjo, from 1069 to 1073, it was already well-known as a shrine enshrining Gozu Tenno, and it flourished alongside its jinguji (shrine-temple), a temple that managed the shrine. The shrine-temple was abandoned due to the separation of Shinto and Buddhism in the early Meiji period, and the shrine became a gosha (district shrine) in 1872 (Meiji 5).

The main hall was destroyed in the Osaka Air Raids, but it was rebuilt in 1974 (Showa 49). At this time, along with the completion of the main hall, the Shishiden, shaped like a lion's head, was built. The enshrined deity is Susanoo-no-Mikoto, and his aramitama (rough spirit) is enshrined inside the sanctuary of the Shishiden.

Viewing and Experience Points

• ​Shishiden​​: Standing 12 meters tall, this building shaped like a wide-open lion's head is located on the west side of the main hall. It is said that its large mouth calls for victory and swallows evil spirits to bring luck in winning, attracting visitors from across the country seeking success in academics, employment, entrance examinations, and business prosperity. The eyes function as lights and the nostrils serve as speakers, and the carved phoenixes set into the ceiling inside the mouth are all hand-carved, each with a different design.
• ​Tsunahiki Shinji (Tug-of-War Ritual)​​: Held annually on the third Sunday of January, this ritual is designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property by Osaka City. From the morning, ropes are twisted together to create a giant rope shaped like Yamata no Orochi with eight heads and eight tails. After people tug against each other in the direction of the year's ehō (auspicious direction) on the shrine grounds, they carry the rope around the perimeter of the shrine. It is said to be based on the legend of Susanoo-no-Mikoto slaying the Yamata no Orochi, and it is also depicted with illustrations in the Edo-period work "Settsu Meisho Zue".
• ​Summer Festival and Funatogyo Boat Procession​​: During the summer festival on July 13 and 14, portable shrines (mikoshi) and taiko drums parade through Sennichimae, Dotonbori, and Ebisubashi-suji. In 2001 (Heisei 13), the Funatogyo Boat Procession was revived for the first time in 230 years since the Edo period, and the Funatogyo Boat Procession takes place on the Dotonbori River on the day of the Yoimiya (eve) festival.

Tips for Exploring

It is about a 6-minute walk from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji and Yotsubashi Lines, or from Nankai Namba Station. On the stage of the Shishiden, kagura (sacred music and dance) and iaido are dedicated at New Year's, while performing arts such as lion dances are dedicated during the summer festival. About 480 meters to the east is Parks Garden, and together with Imamiya Ebisu-jinja Shrine, about 860 meters to the southeast, visitors can enjoy exploring the shrines and neighborhood of Minami.