Katsuoji Temple

勝尾寺

Katsuoji is a Buddhist temple of the Koyasan Shingon school in the mountains of Minoh, north of Osaka. Its story began in 727, when twin brothers built a hermitage here; the temple was later destroyed in a war and rebuilt in 1188. It is known as a temple of "winning luck". Visitors walk through the hillside grounds and see many red "winning daruma" dolls donated by visitors.

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Visitor information

Opening hours

Weekdays, Sundays and holidays: 8:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30).

Saturdays: 8:00–18:00 (last admission 17:30).

Closed

Open every day.

Admission

Entrance fee is 500 yen for adults.

Getting there

Take a bus from Minoh Kayano Station (Kita-Osaka Kyuko Line) and get off at Katsuoji.

It is about 15 minutes by taxi from Hankyu Minoh Station.

Hours and fees can change. Please check the official website before you go.

Tips for Muslim visitors

The grounds are filled with small red "winning daruma" dolls placed by worshippers, and the temple also sells daruma-shaped fortune slips. Visitors may simply look around without taking part.
Walking up from Hankyu Minoh Station takes about 100 minutes; the Hankyu bus from Senri-Chuo Station stops right by the temple, which saves a lot of time.
Buddhist temples welcome visitors of all faiths. You can enjoy the buildings and gardens without joining any prayer, burning incense or buying charms.
Many halls ask you to take off your shoes. Wear socks and shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep a bag for your shoes if none is provided.
Photography is often not allowed inside halls. Follow the signs and ask staff if you are unsure.
Plan your visit around prayer times. Below are today's prayer times for Osaka and the verified places to pray nearby.
Food stalls and shops near popular sights usually do not have halal certification. Check the ingredients, or choose from the verified places on this site.