This is our third time in Osaka and wanted to explore more beyond the city’s busy streets. If you’re looking for a unique place to visit in Osaka, Katsuo-ji Temple should be on your list. Also known as the Temple of Victory, this place is famous for its thousands of little red Daruma dolls scattered around the temple grounds. These dolls symbolise luck, perseverance, and achieving your goals.
How to get to Katsuo-ji Temple from Osaka?
It’s just easy to get to the temple from either Namba or Umeda. Just take the the train of Midosuji Line to Minoh-Kayano Station. Then catch a Hankyu Bus to Katsuoji. That’s it.
Going back to Minoh-Kayano station, you can refer to the bus timetable below.
Entrance to the Katsuoji Temple is 500 yen for adults.
Once you get inside, you’ll see that the temple is filled with thousands of Daruma dolls, tucked between stones, perched on tree branches and scattered across almost every corner you can imagine. These little red dolls are more than just decorations, as they symbolise good luck, perseverance and success.
The tradition is to buy a blank Daruma doll with both eyes left unpainted. Write your goal on the bottom of the doll, say a prayer, and paint in its right eye. You can then take it home and place it somewhere visible as a little reminder to keep working towards your goal. Once you’ve achieved it, paint in the other eye and return the Daruma to the temple.
It’s the same concept with Gōtokuji Temple or the Cat Temple that’s why we decided not to get a daruma since we have an existing wish. So, we just enjoyed the view and the darumas all over the place.
Katsuo-ji Temple has one of the most unique temple stamps in Japan. After paying the entrance fee, you’ll be given a blank sheet of paper. There are six stamping stations throughout the temple where you can collect the stamps and gradually complete the entire image.
We didn’t go to Minoh Falls anymore and just decided to enjoy the temple and the views. We also enjoyed taking pictures of the darumas all over the place.
Katsuo-ji Temple is more than just a beautiful place to visit. From its thousands of Daruma dolls to the unique temple stamp experience, every corner offers something special to discover. If you’re visiting Osaka, this temple is definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Don’t forget to collect all six stamps and complete your own little souvenir to take home!
