The lion head
A wide-mouthed stage.
Immanuelle — CC BY 4.0 · Immanuelle — CC BY 4.0 · KENPEI — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ethan Doyle White — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Immanuelle — CC BY 4.0 · Ethan Doyle White — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ethan Doyle White — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ethan Doyle White — CC BY-SA 4.0
A small Shinto shrine near Namba, famous for one extraordinary building: a stage shaped like a giant lion's head with its mouth wide open, about 12 metres tall per visitor guides, its huge eyes staring at visitors as they enter the courtyard. The lion's great mouth is said to «swallow» evil spirits and bad luck, so people come here to pray for success in study and business, and traditional performances are held on its stage at festivals. Beside the lion head stand the main prayer hall with its curved green roof, stone guardian statues, a bronze lion-shaped ablution fountain and trees hung with white fortune papers. Entry is free and the courtyard is open around the clock per visitor guides; the visit is short, so it fits easily into a walk around Namba and Dōtonbori. The space is small and sometimes busy with photographers, so mornings are calmer.
A wide-mouthed stage.
Bronze, for purification.
Tied to the trees.
Motomachi, Naniwa ward, near Namba
Dōtonbori and the Glico SignOsaka's best-known nightlife and entertainment district, running along the Dōton11 minutes walk4.4
Kuromon MarketA popular covered market in Nipponbashi near Namba, known locally as «Osaka's ki12 minutes walk4.2
Tsūtenkaku Tower and ShinsekaiA tower and Osaka landmark in the Shinsekai district, its name meaning «Tower Re17 minutes walk4.0
Shitennō-ji TempleA Buddhist temple in Tennōji whose name means «Temple of the Four Heavenly Kings25 minutes walk4.3Its great mouth is said to swallow evil spirits and bad luck, so people come to pray for success in study and business; it also serves as a stage for traditional performances.