With a history that stretches back to 727 AD, Katsuo-ji is one of Osaka's oldest and most revered temples. A 90-minute train journey from Osaka Station, this Buddhist sanctuary sits on roughly 65 acres of land and is surrounded by lush hills and nature trails that lead to picturesque waterfalls. Needless to say, the temple grounds are stunning in autumn, as the trees turn into striking shades of red and orange that echo the temple’s vermillion gates and bridges.
Katsuo-ji’s compound is beautiful in daylight, but the temple is now illuminated at night to give you a chance to appreciate the historical site and its beauty after dark. On every weekend and public holiday throughout November 2025, Katsuo-ji extends its opening hours to 8.30pm (last entry at 8pm), allowing you to revel in the mesmerising interplay of light on the autumn leaves, majestic temple structures and serene pond reflections.
Katsuo-ji holds a distinguished place among travellers. It was ranked among Japan’s top ten temples according to a 2023 survey conducted by Japanese travel website Jalan. Beyond its lush natural setting, the temple is instantly recognisable by the thousands of red daruma dolls displayed on the grounds.
The name 'Katsuo-ji' is born from the Japanese word for 'winning' (katsu). The daruma dolls are a talisman for good luck, so this is thought to be a temple that people can go to when they're trying to overcome their weaknesses in order to 'win' something, be it a sporting event, an academic endeavour or a competitive career opportunity.
Tickets are available online at ¥500 for adults, ¥400 for elementary and junior high school students, and ¥100 for children aged three and above
As Katsuo-ji is nestled within the Minoh Park forest, it remains a fair distance from the nearest Minoh Station. The easiest way to get there is to take the train from central Osaka to Hankyu Minoh Station, then catch a return bus to the temple.
For more information, visit the temple website.
This article was published on November 14 2023 and updated on November 21 2025.
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