Shitennoji

From the lively energy of the city, we stepped into the peaceful grounds of Shitennoji Temple—one of Japan’s oldest and most revered Buddhist temples. The contrast was immediate. As we walked through the temple’s gates, a quiet calm settled in, with wide open courtyards, stately wooden halls, and the gentle ringing of bells in the distance.

Shitennoji was founded in 593 AD by Prince Shōtoku, a pivotal figure in Japanese history who championed the spread of Buddhism throughout the country. What makes this temple so significant is that it was Japan’s first Buddhist temple to be commissioned and constructed by the state. Although the current buildings are reconstructions (due to repeated damage by fires and war), they have been faithfully rebuilt according to the original 6th-century design.

The architecture reflects early Buddhist influence, with straight lines, open spaces, and a simple yet powerful elegance. Inspired in part by classical Chinese styles, the temple complex includes a five-story pagoda, a main hall (Kondō), and a lecture hall (Kōdō), all arranged in a straight axis—something rarely seen in Japanese temple layouts today.

The atmosphere was deeply serene. Despite its location in the heart of Osaka, the temple felt like a refuge from time—where the past still lingers gently in the present. Pigeons fluttered overhead, monks passed by quietly, and the scent of incense lingered in the air. It was a place for reflection, history, and a quiet sense of awe.