Namba Yasaka Shrine is known as the “Lion Shrine” as it houses the enormous lion head statue called Ema-Den (絵馬殿). The 12 m high x 11 m wide eye-popping lion is the symbol of the shrine as well as the popular photo spot in Osaka City. It is believed that the wide-opened mouth of the lion swallows up evil spirits of worshippers and calls for victory and success.

This is a quiet little spot very near to the Namba station. It is about a 20 min train ride from the Shin-Osaka station, which costed about 280 yen. This place is supposed to be very beautiful during the cherry blossom season and on the third Sunday of January. On this day, you’ll witness a giant Tug-of-War Ritual, in celebration of the god Susano-ono-Mikoto who killed the serpent god Yamato-no-orochi and freed the Japanese people from hardship.