Namba Yasaka Shrine
This shrine is one of the most unique and photo worthy shrines in Japan. The massive lion head stands at about 40ft (12m) tall and looks like something you’d see in a theme park. It’s said that the deity enshrined here is the guardian of the Namba district, which is home to all the shopping districts and restaurants in the area. The lion’s enormous mouth swallows up any bad spirits attached to worshippers and brings good luck, especially to those who need luck in school or business matters. This shrine is usually teeming with students during exam periods and people during the beginning and end of the financial year. I took a photo of this eye-catching shrine through a bundle of omikuji, which I explained in my Yamadera post!
Tenjinbashisuji
This is the longest covered shopping street in Japan, spanning about 1.6 miles (2.6km). There’s over 600 small shops and restaurants, and most of them are independently owned. Anything and everything can be found here, such as clothes, books, souvenirs, antiques, traditional items, electronics, street food, cafes, and even fresh produce. This street is full of treasures and visitors can easily spend several hours here!
