The main sites on our Osaka list were the aquarium, the castle and Dotonbori. Since we left Hakone early and used our extra time in Osaka to visit the aquarium on our arrival day, we had some extra time to play with. We decided to visit Namba Yasaka Shrine. Not only is it home to one of the most unique shrine buildings in Japan but it is an easy and quick visit, making it the perfect addition to our full day Osaka itinerary.
Located in the Namba district in Osaka, the Namba Yasaka Shrine is tucked away in the city streets, hidden beyond unassuming gray torii gates. Only occupying roughly two city blocks, there isn’t a lot to see here but what is here is definitely worth seeing. The 12-meter tall lion’s head stage is one of Osaka’s most iconic sites. The stage sits inside a large open-mouthed stone lion with menacing eyes and sharp teeth. The lion’s mouth purportedly swallows evil spirits, and worshippers come here seeking good luck in academic and professional endeavors. The stage within the Shishiden (Lion Hall) hosts performances of Kagura (Shinto music and dance), Shishimai (lion dance), and laido (Japanese martial arts). It is a really unique and interesting structure that is worth seeing in person.
The lion’s head is the main attraction but there is also a much more modest Honden (main hall). Namba Yasaka Shrine is dedicated to three deities, Susanoo-no-Mikoto (one of the Three Noble Gods), his queen and one of his sons. Both the main hall and the lion stage are post-war reconstructions, built in 1975, thirty years after the original buildings were destroyed by air raids during World War II.
We spent less than 20 minutes at Namba Yasaka Shrine but really enjoyed our visit. The lion’s head stage is so unique and stood in stark contrast to the rest of the traditional shrine features. It felt like being at a carnival and a sacred site at the same time, with the vibe completely changing depending on which direction you were facing.
