Osaka · Namba and Dotonbori
Namba Yasaka Shrine
Namba Yasaka is a small Shinto shrine in the Motomachi district, west of Namba Station. According to the shrine, there is no record of the year it was founded. By tradition it was called 'the lower shrine of Namba' and was the local deity of the whole area, and since the Enkyu era (1069-1073) it has been known as a shrine of Gozu Tenno. The main deity is Susanoo.
The shrine burned in the bombings of 1945. The current shrine and the Shishiden, a hall in the shape of a lion's head 12 meters high, were completed in May 1974. The eyes are lights and the nose a loudspeaker, and the open mouth serves as a stage: at festivals dances and performances are held in it. According to the shrine, the big mouth swallows evil and draws victory, so people come here to pray before exams, job interviews and the opening of a business.
Every third Sunday of January a tug-of-war ceremony is held here with a rope in the shape of an eight-headed serpent, in memory of the serpent Susanoo killed according to the myth. In 2001 it was designated an intangible folk cultural property of the city of Osaka.
Good to know
- The shrine's summer festival is held on 13 and 14 July. On the first evening a boat procession goes out on the Dotonbori canal, and on both days there are lion dances on the stage in the mouth.
- At the autumn festival, 14 October, and the spring festival, on the second Sunday of April, ceremonies are held at the shrine.
- The shrine closes at 17:00, and it is not part of the night walk in Dotonbori. Combine it with Kuromon or with Den Den Town the same morning.
What is nearby
Approximate walking minutes from the entrance of Namba Yasaka Shrine.
- HereNamba Yasaka Shrine
- ~8 min
Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka Namba Food
A Wanaka branch near exit 11 of Namba Station. Cash or PayPay only. The takoyaki contain octopus.
- ~9 min
Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market Food
A wholesale market for fish and vegetables, south of the shrine. It has restaurants open to the public, and a morning market with an auction on the second and last Saturday of each month. Closed on Sunday, on holidays and on some Wednesdays.
- ~10 min
Sennichimae Doguyasuji Street
An arcade of restaurant supply shops: knives, pots, serving ware, noren, paper lanterns, signs and plastic food models like the ones in restaurant windows. Hours vary by shop.
- ~11 min
Jiyuken Namba Honten Food
A yoshoku restaurant, Western food in Japanese style, opened in Namba in 1910. The house curry is still cooked in this branch's kitchen and sent to the other branches. 38 seats.
- ~11 min
Nipponbashi Den-Den Town Shopping
The Akihabara of Osaka: retro games, figures and maid cafes.
- ~11 min
Takoyaki Doraku Wanaka Sennichimae Honten Food
Wanaka's first branch, in the area of the Namba Grand Kagetsu theater. Only here and at two other branches do they serve 'wanko-dako', takoyaki in hot broth, Akashi style. The takoyaki contain octopus.
More in Namba and Dotonbori
Appears in: Osaka in one day: the castle, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai and Dotonbori at night