Osaka: Oldest Temple: Shitennoji 1,400-Year Private Guided Tour

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1 hour 30 minutes (approximately)
Offered in: Japanese and 1 more

Discover Japan’s oldest temple, Shitenno-ji, with a guide who brings 1,400 years of history to life. In just 90 minutes, you’ll explore sacred halls, hear the story of Prince Shotoku, and visit the stunning Pure Land Garden, a peaceful space inspired by Buddhist paradise.

This tour offers more than sightseeing — it's a cultural journey into the heart of Japanese spirituality.
Perfect for travelers seeking depth, beauty, and meaning — all in one compact experience.

What's Included

Entry tickets to the Central Temple and Honbou Japanese Garden
Guide
Lunch

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Meeting Point: In front of the Stone Torii Gate of Shitenno-ji. Your guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign. Please check the detailed map for directions.

End point

Tour Ending Point: The garden of Shitenno-ji. After the tour, you are welcome to continue enjoying the peaceful garden at your own pace, or easily head to your next destination via nearby subway stations.

Itinerary

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes (approximately)
  • 1

    Step into the spiritual heart of Osaka at Shitenno-ji, Japan’s oldest officially established Buddhist temple, founded in 593 by Prince Shotoku. This sacred site offers a rare glimpse into the origins of Japanese Buddhism and its enduring legacy. Stroll through the symmetrical temple layout, symbolic of Buddhist cosmology, and admire the iconic five-story pagoda, main hall, and lecture hall. As you walk the grounds, feel the quiet dignity of over 1,400 years of faith and tradition.

    1 hour • Admission ticket included
  • 2

    Discover tranquility in the Gokuraku-jodo Garden, a serene landscape designed to represent the Pure Land of Buddhist paradise. Built with ponds, stone paths, and carefully arranged flora, this garden invites you to experience spiritual peace through nature. Take a quiet moment to reflect beside the pond, which symbolizes the boundary between this world and the next. It’s not just a garden—it’s a meditative journey through Buddhist thought, beautifully expressed through space and design.

    30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by DeepExperience

Tags

Private Sightseeing Tours
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Religious Tours
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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