Discover the beauty of Katsuo-Ji Temple in Osaka, Japan

Sharing is caring!

Our first stop in Japan was the Katsuo-Ji Temple it was one area where I wanted to go, no if, ands, or buts! We were a little worried with figuring out how to get there but it ended up being pretty easy. We walked out of the Osaka ITM Airport to the train which took us to the Senri Chuo station.

From there we wandered around until a local kindly showed us to the Katsuo-Ji bus stop. Be sure to look for signs on the sidewalk noting the direction to the bus stop as well. We figured that out after the local helped us.

The bus runs a couple times a day from the Senri Chuo station to Katsuo-Ji, but runs more frequently from the Minoh Kayano station (find details here). We had about a 30 minute wait for the bus and the line was long and growing. By the time for the bus arrived there was a significant number of people waiting. By the time we boarded the bus it was already pretty packed but luckily we were able to grab the last two seats. Everyone squished onto the bus and away we went. It’s about a 35 minute ride from Senri Chuo station to Katsuo-ji with one stop at Minoh Kayano station along the way.

A few logistical notes: We downloaded the Suica card to our iPhones and used that to pay for all transportation in the country. You simply tap your phone on the machine when you get on the bus and tap again when you exit the bus. It really is as easy as it sounds. Additionally, we entered from the middle door on the bus and exited at the front. Basically, we just followed the crowd and did what the locals did. Also, we did not find lockers at the Senri Chuo station to store our backpacks so we had to haul them around the temple with us. There are no lockers at the temple itself. If you can, you absolutely want to store your luggage at one of the stations because carrying it around is not any fun!

Once at the Temple, it was a quick wait to pay (500 yen) and receive our post cards to do the layered stamp around the grounds.

Once you are through the ticket area you’ll collect your first stamp immediately outside the doors and then start exploring.

There are lots of steps here and you will walk up and down. That being said it’s a, easy and enjoyable walk. The steps going up with the famous Durama Doll photos can get packed, if you don’t want to wait in the long line of people there is a back side that there are less people and still a great photo opportunity,

As you walk the grounds taking in the beautiful site don’t forget to look for all the Daruma Mikuji dolls placed around, there are so many to be found. You can also place your own. There is a kiosk at the top of the hill to purchase a Kachi-Daruma and also the Daruma Mikuji ( The ones that come with a fortune inside). If it’s a good fortune you take it with you but if it’s a bad fortune you tie it to a structure and leave that bad fortune behind.

Some Helpful Info:

The kiosk with the Kachi-Daruma (you fill in the eyes), the Daruma Mikuji (fortune) and charms are at the top of the grounds across from the Main Hall.

If you are wanting a Goshuin it is also at the top, it’s in the building to the right of the Main Hall its number 21 (Temple Office) on the grounds map. They do have Goushin books in there that you can buy, also remember that Goshuin are not free and usually cost around 500 yen (cash only).

Don’t miss Stamp #5 like us (gahhh ) we walked all the way to the bottom of the grounds just to realize stamp #5 was all the way back up top by the Temple Office ( where you get the Goshuin).

Inside the store where you buy your entrance ticket there are vending machines for drinks. Outside of that building they also had a food stand.

Leaving the Temple the same bus you took up will take you back down but just keep in mind they only depart a few times a day starting at 11am with the last bus departing at 4:18pm. They can also get really crowded so depending on when you are leaving you might have to wait for another bus to come. There are taxis that will take you where you need to go as well. We used the GO taxi app to request a ride when we were ready to go back and took that to the Minoh Kayano station. It was about $20USD for the taxi and well worth it. At Minoh Kayano we found the train