<Overview>
 It is said that Shitennoji is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan. It was built in 593 A.D. by Prince Shotoku (574-622 A.D.)to enshrine the Four Heavenly Kings“Shitenno” after victory in the battle between Mononobe no Moriya and Soga no Umako. Strongly influenced by Chinese tradition, the inner gate, five-story pagoda, golden pavilion, and lecture hall are placed on a straight line and surrounded by corridors in what is now commonly known as the Shitennoji-Type Cathedral Layout. It has four structures “Shika-in” designed for the study and practice of Buddhism: the Keidei-in, for worship and education; the Seyaku-in, where medicines were dispensed; the Ryobyo-in, where the sick were treated; and the Hiden-in, where the elderly and people with no family were housed. Over time, Shitennoji fell victim to war and disaster. Restored in 1963, the current structure is a strict reproduction of the original. Covering a total area of 10,000m² , which is three times the size of Koshien Stadium, Shitennoji has many historical points of interest, including theTaishi-den, where Prince Shotoku is enshrined, the Kamei-Fudodo which is the first of the36 Sacred Temples of the Kinki Region, and the Gokuraku-jodo no Niwa (Pure Land Garden). On April 22 each year, the Shoryoe-bugaku ceremony is held in remembrance of Prince Shotoku. During the ceremony, a special dance that is designated as the National Significant Intangible Folk Cultural Asset is performed.

<Address>
1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka, Japan 543-0051

<Access>
Five minutes by foot from the Shitennoji-maeYuhigaoka Station of the Osaka Municipal Subway Tanimachi Line