Shitenno-ji
Tennoji, Osaka
1 Oct to 31 Mar
- Daily
- 8:30 to 16:00
Rest of the year
- Daily
- 8:30 to 16:30
Apr to Sep 8:30 to 16:30, Oct to Mar 8:30 to 16:00. On the 21st and during special events the opening is 8:00 to 17:00 (April to September), 8:00 to 16:30 (October to March, except October when it is 8:00 to 17:00).
Source: shitennoji.or.jp, checked 13 Oct 2026.
The head temple of the Washu sect, with a central temple area, the Gokuraku-jodo garden and a Treasure Hall. On the 21st and 22nd of every month the central area is free to enter.
Insider tip
The central temple area costs ¥500 and the garden ¥300. The gate stays open around the clock, so you can pray from outside any time. The central area is free on the 21st and 22nd. The Treasure Hall is showing an exhibition from 10 October to 29 November 2026.
What the guides say about Shitenno-ji
Shinsekai dates to 1903 and centres on Tsutenkaku, which has timed entry. Covered Janjan Yokocho holds kushikatsu and doteyaki restaurants. Spa World is the place for a bath. In Tennoji, Shitenno-ji is free in its central area on the 21st and 22nd of each month, and Keitakuen Garden is closed on Mondays. The Harukas 300 Observatory has a glass corridor on the 60th floor.
Tennoji and Shinsekai suit travellers who want old Osaka, with Shitenno-ji, Tsutenkaku and kushikatsu counters nearby. Osaka Bay makes sense only if you're coming for Universal Studios Japan or the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, because it's away from the rest of the city.
Tickets and tours
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What's on at Shitenno-ji
Upcoming events at Shitenno-ji, from the weekly Osaka events calendar.
Autumn Treasures Exhibition at Shitenno-ji: Medieval Documents
四天王寺 令和8年 秋季名宝展「中世文書大集合」
Time 8:30 to 16:00, last entry 20 minutes before closing (8:00 to 17:00 on 21 Oct, to 16:30 on 21 Nov) Station Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka (Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line), 5 minutes on foot
The temple treasure museum shows medieval documents that survived fires and loss, including the Shitennoji and Akino-bo document groups designated Osaka City tangible cultural properties, alongside art objects linked to the Toyotomi family.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Joto-e at Shitenno-ji (Buddha's Enlightenment Day)
四天王寺 成道会
Time 10:30 (Kondo) and 14:00 (Bussokuseki) Station Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka (Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line), 5 minutes on foot
A service marks the day the Buddha attained enlightenment. It is held in front of the Kondo wall painting of the scene at 10:30 and at the Buddha footprint stone at 14:00.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 New Year's Eve Bell at Shitenno-ji
四天王寺 除夜の鐘
Time Tickets 23:00, bells from 23:30 Station Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka (Tanimachi Line)
The temple rings out the year with the Joya no Kane. Numbered tickets are handed out at 23:00 and the bell-ringing starts at 23:30, with the first 108 visitors able to ring.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Doyadoya and Tondo Bonfire
四天王寺 どやどや
Time Bonfire about 9:00 to 13:00 Station Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka (Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line)
The final day of Shitennoji's New Year service, 14 January, with the Doyadoya rite at the Rokuji Raisan-do hall and a bonfire at the Niomon gate running about 9:00 to 13:00.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Taiman-ku and Secret Image Opening at Shitenno-ji
四天王寺 胎曼供併秘仏御開扉
Time 9:00 Station Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka (Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line), 5 minutes on foot
A Taizokai mandala service is held on this one day a year and the hidden image of Prince Shotoku as regent at age 49 is opened at the Taishi inner hall.
Guilhem Vellut, CC BY 2.0 Smaller local events nearby
Jizo Day at Shitenno-ji Festival
24th of every month, from 10:30. Next: Sat 24 Oct · Shitenno-ji, Tennoji
The 24th of each month is the Jizo fair day, with a service at 10:30 at the Jizo hall.
Free · From 10:30 · Map · Source: Shitenno-ji · 四天王寺 地蔵尊供
Fudo Day at Shitenno-ji Festival
28th of every month, 10:30 and 12:00. Next: Wed 28 Oct · Shitenno-ji, Tennoji
On the 28th of every month, the Kamei Fudo-do holds a service at 10:30 and a fire ritual at 12:00.
Free · 10:30 and 12:00 · Map · Source: Shitenno-ji · 四天王寺 不動尊供・護摩供
Nearby
Around Tennoji
A 300 m tower, a head temple and small shrines on the old pilgrimage road
Tennoji sits around two very different landmarks. Abeno Harukas is a 300 m tower with an observatory on floors 58 to 60, and Shitenno-ji is the head temple of the Washu sect. Between them are museums, a garden and a handful of small shrines that few visitors reach.
Tennoji has 13 places on the Roam Osaka map: 5 shrines and temples, 3 parks and gardens, 3 museums, 1 viewpoint and 1 bathhouse. Read the Tennoji guide.
Good to know
- What is the address of Shitenno-ji?
- 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka (in Japanese: 大阪市天王寺区四天王寺1丁目11番18号).
- What are the opening hours of Shitenno-ji?
- 1 Oct to 31 Mar: Daily 8:30 to 16:00. Rest of the year: Daily 8:30 to 16:30. Apr to Sep 8:30 to 16:30, Oct to Mar 8:30 to 16:00. On the 21st and during special events the opening is 8:00 to 17:00 (April to September), 8:00 to 16:30 (October to March, except October when it is 8:00 to 17:00).
- How do I get to Shitenno-ji?
- The nearest station is Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka. Shitenno-ji is in Tennoji, Osaka.
- How much does Shitenno-ji cost?
- Shitenno-ji is cheap, marked ¥ on the site's price scale.
- How long do you need at Shitenno-ji?
- Plan for 1-2 hours.
- When is the best time to visit Shitenno-ji?
- 21st or 22nd of the month, or early morning.
Stay near Shitenno-ji
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