Shitenno-ji
Shitenno Ji, One Of The Oldest Buddhist Temples In Japan, Founded In 593 By Prince Shotoku In Osaka, With A Five Storey Pagoda And A Central Garden, Rebuilt In Concrete After Fires And War. A Monthly Flea Market Is Held In Its Grounds. · Osaka, Osaka
Shitenno-ji is a large Buddhist temple in Tennoji ward, Osaka, a short walk from Tennoji or Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station. It was founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku, and is often called the oldest officially administered temple in Japan - confirm that claim, which depends on how it is defined. What you see is a faithful rebuilding: fires, wars and typhoons have destroyed the halls several times, and the present buildings, including the five-storey pagoda, date from the rebuilding in concrete after the 1945 bombing. The layout follows an early Asian plan, with the central gate, pagoda, golden hall and lecture hall in a straight line. A paid garden, the Gokuraku-jodo, lies to the east. The temple suits history readers, flea market fans and travellers who want a living temple rather than a museum. It is a good half-day stop with Tennoji, and not a stand-out for photographers or anyone short of time.
1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, a short walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station or Tennoji Station, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
The outer precinct is usually open all day and free. The inner area with the pagoda and the golden hall charges a modest fee and generally opens from morning to late afternoon, with last entry before closing and a shorter day in winter - confirm. The Gokuraku-jodo Garden has its own fee and closing day. On the 21st and 22nd of each month, the Taishi-san flea markets fill the grounds with stalls from early morning to late afternoon - confirm. From Tennoji Station it is a short walk or a bus; the Tanimachi line stops nearby. No booking is needed, and cash is needed for the inner fee and stalls.