Sumiyoshi-taisha
One of the oldest shrines in Japan, with its almost vertical humpback bridge.
Duration
45 min – 1 hr 15 min
Best time
Early morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
The shrine is one of the oldest in Japan, founded by tradition in the third century, and it gave its name to an architectural style: sumiyoshi-zukuri, predating the arrival of Buddhism, with no visible continental influence.
The Sorihashi bridge is nearly vertical, climbed as stairs rather than walked as a slope — crossing it is said to purify. The shrine is dedicated to the deities of the sea and of travel, and Osaka's sailors came here before sailing.
Getting there
Hankai tram, Sumiyoshi-toriimae stop, right at the entrance. Or Nankai line, Sumiyoshi-taisha station.
What to bring
- Walking shoes
Rules on site
The Sorihashi bridge is steep and its steps are worn and slippery in rain. At New Year the shrine takes over two million visitors in three days.
Other places in Osaka
Osaka CastleHideyoshi's white and gold keep, in a park of several hectares.
DotonboriThe canal, the giant signs, the Glico running man, and the street where Osaka eats standing up.
Shinsekai and Tsutenkaku TowerA district still in the 1950s, fried skewers and tired neon.
Kuromon MarketSix hundred metres of fishmongers, sea urchins opened in front of you and Kobe beef on a skewer.