Sumiyoshi-taisha is a huge Shinto shrine complex located in southern Osaka city. It’s one of the oldest in all of Japan, and lends its name to some 2000 shrines across the country, acting as the headquarters for all Sumiyoshi shrines. Considering it had been a good while since our last shrine visit, Emma and I visited Sumiyoshi the other day.
The architecture style of the shrine is known as Sumiyoshi-zukuri – it’s used throughout Japan. One of the main discerning features of the style are the ornamental roof poles known as chigi and katsuogi – which are used exclusively on Shinto buildings. Enshrined at Sumiyoshi-taisha are three gods worshipped for protecting sea journeys, making it a famous place of pilgrimage for fishermen and sea travellers.
As well as the shrine complex, one of the famous sights of Sumiyoshi-taisha is the extreme-curved Taiko-bashi bridge, which crosses a pond in front of the main entrance. It’s a little steep, even more so than the famous Kintai-kyo bridge in Iwakuni.
Sumiyoshi-taisha is about 15 minutes from Namba on the Nankai main line, get off at Sumiyoshitaisha station and follow the signs!
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