Is Katsuo-ji Temple Price Visiting?

Image it: Senri-chuo, a station on the northern of the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. One of many final locations in Osaka you’d look forward to finding throngs of vacationers.

Frankly, I questioned whether or not I’d even be capable of find the cease for the bus to the so-called “Daruma Temple,” for which I used to be sure, having by chance exited the station right into a division retailer. However I did find yourself discovering the bus boarding space—and, lo and behold, an enormous mass of principally Chinese language vacationers.

Is Katsuoji temple price visiting? The reply, undoubtedly, is sure. However don’t for a single second idiot your self into pondering that this place is off Osaka’s crushed path.

How you can Get to Katsuo-ji

Reaching Katsuoji temple within reason simple, although it does take a while. First, you might want to board the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and trip it northward to Senri-chuo Station. Right here, exit and comply with the indicators to the bus cease, the place a big crowd of vacationers (or the seemingly out-of-place English-speaking workers member) will let you understand the place the bus to the temple is.

Buses to Katsuoji come as soon as per hour on the hour.They’re additionally fairly crowded; I like to recommend arriving a minimum of 15-20 minutes upfront to keep away from having to attend for the following one. Arriving on the temple 20-Half-hour later, you merely have to stroll throughout the road to entry it. Earlier than you do, nonetheless, I like to recommend consulting the posted timetable to confirm imminent departures, and concentrating on the one which makes probably the most sense to your schedule.

What to Know About Katsuo-ji

It’s sprawling

 

Based mostly on footage you see on social media, you’d assume that Katsuo-ji is easy a predominant corridor with a daruma-filled hall resulting in it. The truth is, it has a number of distinctive sections, linked collectively by a kilometer-long path with not-insignificant elevation achieve.

There are literally thousands of daruma

 

On the opposite, make no mistake: The daruma themselves are why I discover Katsuoji price visiting. There are literally thousands of them, possibly tens and even tons of of 1000’s, scattered across the grounds. I may’ve spent all day photographing them, if I’m trustworthy, although I clearly didn’t.

(And you should purchase one to deliver house)

 

You should buy daruma of varied sizes to deliver house—I purchased two as souvenirs for mates. These embody paper fortunes, that are in Japanese, although there’s a QR code that results in translations in a number of languages, in case you don’t converse Japanese properly (or in any respect).

It’s extra crowded than you’d anticipate

 

Simply as I’ve tried to clarify in my Katsuoji journey information that the temple is massive, so too is it crowded. Not Kyoto-crowded, granted, however once more: This place is nearly an hour outdoors of central Osaka. You wouldn’t suppose there could be greater than 100 folks right here, however there nearly definitely will probably be.

Autumn shouldn’t be the one good time to go to

 

Though I did visited close by Minoh Falls and eat momiji tempura through the autumn, I’ve by no means been to Katsuoji through the fall. Nonetheless, I can say that the inexperienced of summer season contrasts stunning with the purple daruma; I may think about how far more crowded this place could be in November than it was in August.

How you can Incorporate Katsuo-ji Into Your Kansai Journey

Katsuoji is technically in Osaka prefecture, although you don’t must be spending the evening in Osaka so as to go there. After I visited, for instance, I really stopped in Osaka en route from Nara to Akashi, close to Kobe in Hyogo prefecture. The secret is that you simply want to have the ability to spend a minimum of 4 hours in Osaka—an hour every manner getting from central Osaka to the temple, and 1-2 hours to spend on the temple.

Sadly, due to its distance from different Osaka temples, Katsuoji doesn’t essentially mesh properly with a full day of sightseeing in central Osaka. I wouldn’t recommend, for instance, trying to go to Osaka Fort, Shi-tenno-ji temple or different core points of interest on the identical day. Somewhat, you would right here within the morning, earlier than spending the afternoon in Shinsekai and the night alongside Dotonbori Canal—simply for instance.

Different FAQ About Visiting Katsuo-ji

Are you able to stroll from Minoh Falls to Katsuoji temple?

Though there’s a mountain climbing path between Minoh Falls and Katsuoji temple, that is a number of kilometers in size and takes many hours to finish. For the overwhelming majority of vacationers, that is impractical; for a lot of vacationers, it’s too strenuous even to be doable. It is best to plan on connecting these points of interest utilizing public transportation or personal automobile.

What’s the fortunate temple in Osaka?

Many Osaka temples can declare to be fortunate, however probably the most superficially fortunate one is Katsuo-ji, the so-called “daruma” temple north of town close to Minoh Falls. Hundreds (possibly near one million) tiny daruma dot the grounds of the temple, giving it a one-of-a-kind character.

Is Minoh Falls price a go to?

Minoh Falls is price visiting, however actually solely in autumn so far as I’m involved. However, close by Katsuoji temple (which, to be clear, is “close by” because the crow flies—it’s not walking-distance) is price a go to all 12 months spherical; its colourful daruma add character and texture one year per 12 months.

The Backside Line

Is Katsuoji temple price visiting? Sure, but it surely’s additionally way more crowded than you’d suppose a spot so removed from a serious metropolis could be. That is particularly acute within the autumn, which is why I feel it’s not a foul concept to come back right here throughout different seasons. I additionally recommend going through the week for those who can, and taking the primary bus of the day from Osaka‘s Senri-chuo Station. This can decrease crowds—which, once more, are going to be a lot bigger than you’re most likely anticipating. One other method to decrease crowds and maximize enjoyment? Rent me to plan your journey to Japan, irrespective of the place it finally ends up taking you.