15 Power Spots to Visit in Osaka

1. Horikoshi Shrine [Tennouji/Abeno Area]

It's said that this shrine was built by Prince Shoutoku of the royal family, a regent and politician that helped create the foundation of Japanese culture in the 600s. The locals believe that this shrine will listen and grant one of your wishes just once in your life. It's a small shrine but a very powerful one. Off to the side of the shrine are torii gates lined up, and it's very pretty to see at night when the lanterns are lit up. It's very popular since it's a power spot that may actually grant your wish.

HP: www.horikoshijinja.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-8 Chausuyama-cho, Tennouji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

2. Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine [Southern Osaka City]

It's said that a powerful kami (god) lives in this shrine and it might grant your wish. If you have a wish you desperately want to come true, you should pray here. There is also a power spot in the grounds called Godairiki-san. There are rocks with the characters for "go" (five), "dai" (big), "chikara" (power) somewhere in the gravel, so you should look for them and take them home. If your wish comes true, then it is your duty to come back and pray again to give thanks.

HP: www.sumiyoshitaisha.net/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

3. Hiraoka Shrine [Higashi-Osaka] 

Hiraoka Shrine is a shrine with a long history, and its also known for its beautiful plum blossoms. The Hiraoka Plum Grove is very famous, and it's said that it a power spot that will cleanse your luck. The area in front of the main shrine at the top of the stairs and the right side of the main shrine are particularly powerful areas, and it's said that there is a kami guarding those areas. Because of that it's said that going there will help protect you from misfortunes and disasters.

HP: www.hiraoka-jinja.org/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 7-15 Izumoi-cho, Higashi-Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

4. Iwafune Shrine [Katano]

Iwafune Shrine holds a huge rock called Ame no Iwafune that is believed to contain the spirit of a deity. Thanks to that rock, Iwafune Shrine is filled with a strong energy. It's the energy that comes from the deity living on the grounds.

HP: www.osk.3web.ne.jp/~iw082125/index-j.html (Japanese Only)

Address: 9-19-1 Kisaichi, Katano-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

5. Roten Shrine [Umeda]

Roten Shrine is a power spot, but you don't feel any particular energy from it. However, people who have been protected by this shrine for a long time feel a gentle feeling from it. It sits in a quiet corner of the city, so it's a spot that heals you from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.

HP: www.tuyutenjin.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-5-4 Sonezaki, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

6. Amaterasu Kouza Shrine/Iwato Shrine [Yao]

Amaterasu Kouza Shrine and Iwato Shrine are two shrines that have connected grounds, so they're often referred to by both names. As a power spot, there's energy that dwells in the land. It's said that it's a good place for purification, so their exorcisms and prayer ceremonies are especially beneficial. It's not an area well-known even within Osaka, so it's a hidden power spot.

HP: kamnavi.jp/en/kawati/monooni.htm (Japanese Only)

Address: 550 Kyokoji, Yao, Osaka (Google Map)

7. Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine [Higashi-Osaka]

This shrine is known by the names "Ishikiri-san" or "the god of swollen areas," and the area before the main shrine and the entrance to the shrine are nationally famous due to the stones marking the ohyakudo, a type of worship that involves going to the shrine one hundred times. Many people come to this shrine hoping to be cured of cancer. This is because the name. "Tenbo," meaning swollen area, is insinuated to be cancer, and that influences many people to visit and pray for a cure.

HP: www.ishikiri.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-1-1 Higashi-Ishikiricho, Higashi-Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

8. Shouman-in [Tennouji]

This shrine is famous for many things, including the two-storied pagoda (a national tangible cultural property) as well as relationship and success in marriage charms. The "love-dyed miraculous water" is especially popular among young women because it's said that if you drink it then your love wish will be granted. Also, another little-known yet popular power spot is the rock seat for hip pain. If you sit on it then you will feel your pain go away.

HP: www.aizendo.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 5-36 Yuuhigaoka-cho, Tennouji-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

9. Osaka Tenmangu [Tenjinbashi] 

Since kami of education are deified here, most of the visitors are people looking for success on their entrance exams. On the grounds is a statue of a cow that's said to belong to the god, and if you rub it you'll become smarter. In the spring the plum blossoms bloom beautifully, and in the summer they hold the Tenjin Festival. It's a shrine very near to people from Osaka. It's a power spot filled with the energy typical of Osaka and the love held for the kami Tenjin.

HP: www.tenjinsan.com/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka  (Google Map)

10. Nanba Shrine [Honmachi]

This shrine that sits between Shinsaibashi and Honmachi is in the middle of the city but it's calm and quiet. It's been around for more than 1600 years, making it a very old shrine. Next to the torii gates is a large camphor tree. That tree is a sacred tree and it is said to be more than 400 years old; it protects visitors. This is a lovely power spot where you can get away from all the clamor of the city.

HP: www.nanba-jinja.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 4-1-3 Bakuromachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

11. Imamiya Ebisu [Nanba/Shinsaibashi]

This shrine is known among locals by the nickname "Ebessan," and it's very famous as a shrine that helps business thrive. It's a lively shrine and on event days up to 1,000,000 people can visit. If you want a power spot full of the energy of Osaka salesmen, it's here.

HP: www.imamiya-ebisu.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-6-10 Ebisunishi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

12. Mitsushima Shrine [Kadoma]

This shrine is famous for having the biggest (diameter-wise) tree in Osaka; the camphor tree is known as Kungaishou and it is over 1000 years old. It's registered as a national natural monument. If you touch this tree that has looked over the people and the land for 1000 years, you will feel a gentle energy. This is a power spot that is good to help heal tired hearts and exhausted minds.

HP: www.tree-flower.jp/27/kungaisyo/mishima_jinja.htm (Japanese Only)

Address: 1374 Mitsushima, Kadoma, Osaka (Google Map)

13. Inunaki-san Shippouryu Shrine [Izumosano]

Shippouryu Shrine sits in the middle of the Osaka mountains and has 7 waterfalls. You can experience training beneath all 7 of these waterfalls in one day. The waterfalls will cleanse your heart. If you have a pure heart, then naturally your fortune will also become better. It's a power spot where can properly pray in a no-nonsense atmosphere.

HP: www.inunakisan.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: Ooki 8, Izumisano-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

14. Ootori Grand Shrine [Sekai]

Ootori Grand Shrine has a long history that stretches back 1300 years. There are many trees dotting the grounds. The iris garden holds 100,000 plants and is famous when in bloom. It's a power spot recommended if you want to comfortably relax in an ancient atmosphere surrounded by nature.

HP: www.sakai-tcb.or.jp/spot/spot.php?id=40 (Japanese Only)

Address: 1-1-2 Ootorikitamachi, Nishi-ku, Sakai-shi, Osaka (Google Map)

15. Katsuo Shrine [Minou]

This power spot is known as the shrine for luck in battles. Many people visit it to excel at exams, recover from injury, win elections or sports, succeed in crafts or business, etc. The grounds have many daruma sitting around, making it feel like you're no longer in Japan. In the spring it fills beautifully with cherry blossoms and in the autumn the foliage is exquisite, so it's also popular as a sightseeing spot.

HP: www.katsuo-ji-temple.or.jp/ (Japanese Only)

Address: 2914-1 Aomatani, Minou-shi, Osaka (Google Map)