Osaka Lion Head Namba Yasaka Shrine Guide + Photos 2024

Have you seen the ‘roarsome’ Lion Head shrine in Osaka – Namba Yasaka shrine? One of the most unusual and beautiful temples in the whole of Japan, the Namba Yasaka Shinto shrine is a top thing to do in Osaka.

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Osaka Lion Head Namba Yasaka Shrine cherry blossom

Namba Yasaka shrine has a huge 12 metre lion head that is said to swallow evil spirits and bring good fortune.

After seeing this Namba Yasaka shrine big cat up close, we are ‘feline’ luckier already. This is one lion you won’t want to run away from!”

From opening hours to what to see at the shrine, here is our full guide to Osaka’s Lion-like Namba Yasaka Shrine.

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Table of Contents

How to get to the Namba Yasaka Shrine

Located in Osaka, the closest train stations to Namba Yasaka Shrine are Daikokucho Station (exit 2) and Nankai Namba Station (exit 32) which are both around a 7 minute walk away.

From Dotonbori, the Namba Yasaka Shrine is a simple 15 minute, 1km walk.

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What is the Namba Yasaka Shrine

A small shaded shrine in the Namba Parks area of Osaka, the Namba Yasaka Shrine is one of the most iconic shrines and temples in Japan.

The main feature of the shrine is the famous Lion Head Hall (Shishiden) where musical performances and festivities are performed – a lion dance with a lion head is very meta!

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History of Namba Yasaka shinto shrine

The original ”Namba Yasaka Shrine” is said to have been built in the 4th century during the reign of Emperor Nintoku (313 – 399).

Over the years and during wars and fires, the original shrine has been destroyed several times and rebuilt.

The famous Shishiden (lion head hall) was built in 1974 and will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year in 2024.

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How big is the Lion Head at Namba Yasaka Shrine?

In a word, huge! Osaka’s famous lion head shrine is said to be 12 metres high, 10 metres deep and 11 metres wide – even the lion teeth are like half a metre tall. That would need a huge toothbrush!

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The classic Namba Yasaka Shrine pose

As you’d expect, when faced with a huge lion head, the only ‘natural pose’ is to position yourself as if you are being eaten by the lion – classic!

Lots of visitors and tourists create this pose – what must the locals and worshippers think?

Japanese Prayer Boards

The Lion Head temple has a small selection of shops in the grounds, selling Japanese prayer plaques – locals and Osaka citizens use these prayer plaques to ask the deities for health, wealth and love plus success at school (kind of like manifestation).

Once completed, these colourful prayer boards are hung up all the grounds and in trees and across special boards, creating a tapestry of thoughts and prayers.

Ink stamps and other ceremonial prayer cards and well wishes are also available to purchase.

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When is best time to visit the Namba Yasaka shrine and lion head hall in Osaka?

Given its popularity (especially on social media), the Namba Yasaka shrine can be very busy from mid morning until early evening so best to visit early morning before the crowds gather.

That said, it is fine to visit any time of time but you just might get quite a few other people in your photos.

The best time of year to see the Lion Head shrine is actually in cherry blossom season (sakura) usually in March.

We were lucky enough to visit the shrine during cherry blossom season and the grounds were incredible, blooming with sakura and pink cherry blossom leaves.

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Namba Yasaka Festival

If you have to be in Osaka during January, the Namba Yasaka festival is usually on the third Sunday.

An incredible site with thousands attending the temple, the festival is best known for a Tug-of-war performance – this reenacts the struggle to defeat a huge serpent (Yamata-no-orochi) by the deity Susano-no-Mikato.

Japan checklist

We love using booking.com and agoda.com for researching and booking all our hotels, and Hostelworld for booking hostels.

For booking tours, transfers and SIM cards we recommend Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook.

Other things to know about the Lion Head temple in Osaka

Admission to the shrine is free – donations are always appreciate
The temple is wheelchair accessible
English language signs and pamphlets are available in the shrine
There are some shops in the grounds plus there are lots of noodle shops nearby

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Namba Yasaka Shrine Osaka opening hours

The general opening hours to visit the Namba Yasaka Shrine and Lion Head temple in Osaka are 9am to 5pm seven days a week although this may vary during festivals and public holidays.

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Address

2 Chome-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556 – 0016, Japan

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