New Year Shrine Visit in Osaka: 8 Temples and Shrines for Hatsumode

Hatsumode Spots in Osaka: From Classics to Hidden Gems

Picture courtesy of photoAC

Osaka is home to many historic shrines and temples, making it popular for hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the year).

There are various features among the popular spots that attract visitors from across the country, including traditional locations, shrines with special events for the New Year, and tranquil hidden gems. Below, we'll introduce 8 recommended Hatsumode spots.

Best Hatsumode Spots in Osaka

1. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
2. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
3. Shitennoji Temple
4. Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
5. Katsuoji Temple
6. Tsuyuno Tenjinsya (Ohatsu Tenjin)
7. Abe no Seimei Shrine
8. Hiraoka Shrine

1. Osaka Tenmangu Shrine

Picture courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine is dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. After hatsumode, the shrine attracts many visitors during exam season.

During the New Year's celebration, Japanese sake is served. Then during the first three days of the year, food stalls are set up to create a lively atmosphere. It is also popular among visitors from outside the region since they can enjoy Osaka's local cuisine.

Located just steps away from the longest shopping street in Japan—Tenjinbashi-suji Shopping Street—this shrine is a great spot to enjoy both hatsumode and sightseeing.

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
Address	2-1-8 Tenjinbashi, Kita Ward, Osaka City
Visiting Hours	January 1: 12:00 AM–8:00 PM, January 2-3: 6:00 AM–7:00 PM
Official Website	Osaka Tenmangu Shrine (Japanese)
Official Social Media	Osaka Tenmangu Instagram

2. Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Picture courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Sumiyoshi Taisha is the head shrine of over 2,000 Sumiyoshi Shrines across Japan. It is such a popular destination for hatsumode in Osaka that there's a saying, "The New Year begins at Sumiyoshi." It even boasts the highest number of visitors in Osaka Prefecture.

Due to the expected crowds for hatsumode in 2025, it is recommended to choose less busy days or times for visiting. In fact, this practice is known as “dispersed worship.”

Furthermore, the main shrine building, the oldest in the history of shrine architecture, is designated as a national treasure. The grounds also feature the famous Hananoibashi Bridge, numerous cultural properties, and sacred trees over 1,000 years old, creating a serene atmosphere that is perfect for quiet reflection during your visit.

Sumiyoshi Taisha
Address	2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City
Visiting Hours	From December 31, 10:00 PM to January 1, 8:00 PM; January 2-3, 6:00 AM–7:00 PM
Official Website	Sumiyoshi Taisha
Official Social Media	Sumiyoshi Taisha Instagram

3. Shitennoji Temple

Picture courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Shitennoji Temple was founded over 1,400 years ago by Prince Shotoku and is home to one of the oldest architectural styles in Japan. The blessings offered here include fortune, success in exams, and prosperous business. Notably, the pink heart-shaped ema (wooden votive tablets) for prayers of good relationships are a distinguishing feature.

On January 3, the "Special Prayer for Success in Examinations" is held to pray for academic achievements and entrance exam success.

Please note that while the corridors are paid areas, the areas outside the corridors are free and open for visits 24 hours a day.

Shitennoji Temple
Address	1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji Ward, Osaka City
Visiting Hours	April to September: 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; October to March: 8:30 AM–4:00 PM
Official Website	Shitennoji Temple (Japanese)

4. Imamiya Ebisu Shrine

Picture courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, affectionately known as "Ebessan," is revered as the deity of prosperous business and wealth. Prayer-goers come for blessings ranging from luck, wealth, and traffic safety.

Among the shrine’s special events, the Toka Ebisu Festival is held from January 9 to 11. This beloved tradition marks the New Year in Osaka, with activities taking place over three days. During this period, the shrine attracts around 1 million visitors.

Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
Address	1-6-10 Ebisunishi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City
Visiting Hours	January 1: 12:00 AM–6:00 PM; January 2 to 7: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Official Website	Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
Official Social Media	Imamiya Ebisu Shrine Instagram

5. Katsuoji Temple

Picure courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

This temple has a history of 1,300 years and is famous as the "Temple of Winning Luck." It is situated at an elevation of 255 meters in the northern part of Minoo, surrounded by lush nature.

During hatsumode, it becomes lively with visitors praying for victory and success in exams, business, employment, and sports.

The temple grounds feature a "Victory Daruma" donation shelf, creating a distinctive scene with many daruma dolls of various sizes lined up. It’s also a great idea to try your luck with the small daruma omikuji (fortune slip) during your first shrine visit of the year.

Katsuoji Temple
Address	Katsuoji, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture
Visiting Hours	Weekdays: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM; Saturdays: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM; Sundays and Holidays: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Official Website	Katsuoji Temple
Official Social Media	Katsuoji Temple Instagram

6. Tsuyuno Tenjinsya (Ohatsu Tenjin)

Picure courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Tsuyuno Tenjinsya is situated in the urban canyon of Umeda, dedicated to deities of medicine, pharmacology, the sun, and agriculture.

It is associated with the story of "The Love Suicides at Sonezaki," which led to it being affectionately called "Ohatsu Tenjin." The shrine sees a steady flow of visitors year-round, with many coming for hatsumode from the local area and beyond.

It is also famous as a spiritual spot for fulfilling romantic wishes, with a popular omikuji (fortune slip) that reveals text when soaked in water. Additionally, two types of ema (votive tablets) are well-known: a heart-shaped ema for marriage prayers and a facial outline ema for wishing to become more beautiful.

Tenyu Shrine
Address	2-5-4 Sonezaki, Kita Ward, Osaka City
Visiting Hours	6:00 AM–12:00 AM
Official Website	Tenyu Shrine (Japanese)
Official Social Media	Tsuyuno Tenjinsya Instagram

7. Abe no Seimei Shrine

Picure courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Abe no Seimei Shrine is dedicated to Abe no Seimei, a famous onmyoji (a practitioner of Japanese esoteric cosmology) believed to have been born in this area during the Heian Period (794-1185). The blessings offered here include protection from fire and disease, success in exams, warding off evil, and granting children.

Due to the popularity of the Seimei Shrine in Kyoto, it serves as a surprisingly hidden gem. It is recommended for those who wish to avoid crowds during hatsumode.

Additionally, the shrine is revered as a deity of divination, and the daily fortune-telling corner held on the shrine grounds is also quite popular.

Abe no Seimei Shrine
Address	5-16 Abe-no-Motocho, Abeno Ward, Osaka City
Visiting Hours	11:00 AM–4:00 PM
Official Website	Abe no Seimei Shrine (Japanese)
Official Social Media	Abe no Seimei Shrine Instagram

8. Hiraoka Shrine

Picure courtesy of Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau

Hiraoka Shrine is a historic shrine located in the naturally rich area of Higashiosaka.

Known as "the town of rugby," it features rugby ball-shaped amulets, attracting rugby fans from all over the country. Additionally, the shrine has many subsidiary shrines, each offering various blessings.

During the first three days of the New Year, various ceremonies take place, including the New Year's Festival on the 1st, the Second Day Festival on the 2nd, and the Genshi-sai Festival on the 3rd, creating a lively atmosphere with abundant food stalls.

Hiraoka Shrine
Address	7-16 Izumoicho, Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture
Visiting Hours	9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Official Website	Hiraoka Shrine (Japanese)
Official Social Media	Hiraoka Shrine Instagram

Experience Hatsumode Alongside Iconic Landmarks!

Many visitors come to Osaka's signature hatsumode spots, not only locals but also tourists from other regions.

Some spots can be visited alongside Osaka sightseeing. Whether you're a local or considering a trip to Osaka, be sure to use this as a reference for your destination.

Main Picture courtesy of photoAC