SUMIYOSHITAISHA KISSHODEN

五感で楽しむ住吉っさん

For group
bookings
only
official shrine seal

We can issue
visitors with an
official shrine seal.

Taste the finest Japanese cuisine and
experience traditional culture and entertainment.
Feel the breath of history with a visit
to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine guided by a priest.
Please languish an unforgettable moment at Sumiyoshi-san Shrine.

Overview and History

Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of Japan’s most ancient Shinto shrines. According to traditional Japanese chronicles, the shrine was established in 211 by the legendary empress-regent Jingū, who governed western Honshu after her husband’s death. Empress Jingū dedicated the shrine to three deities of the sea, who are collectively called the Sumiyoshi Sanjin. In Shinto mythology, the Sanjin came into being when the deity Izanagi, co-creator of the Japanese archipelago, purified himself in the sea after a voyage to the underworld. One theory holds that the deities are the three bright stars of Orion’s belt, which were commonly used in navigation. After Empress Jingū died, she was enshrined alongside the Sanjin at Sumiyoshi Taisha as a deity in her own right.

read more

Guide Map of the Precinct
  • Daiichi Hongū

    Daiichi Hongū

    Daiichi Hongū, or “first main shrine,” is dedicated to Sokotsutsuno-o no Mikoto, one of the three maritime deities enshrined at Sumiyoshi Taisha. Its offering hall, or heiden, is larger than those of the other three main shrines.

    read more

  • Sorihashi Bridge (Taikobashi)

    Sorihashi Bridge (Taikobashi)

    Although there are records of a bridge here since the thirteenth century, the bridge in its current form was built around 1600 with funds donated by Yododono (1567–1615). Yododono was a consort of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536–1598), the warlord who ruled Japan from 1582 to 1598.

    read more

  • Sumiyoshi-zukuri

    Sumiyoshi-zukuri

    The four main sanctuary buildings, or honden, of Sumiyoshi Taisha are archetypal examples of the sumiyoshi-zukuri architectural style. Sumiyoshi-zukuri is noteworthy because it pre-dates the arrival of Buddhists to Japan, who brought with them architectural techniques and styles from the Asian mainland in the sixth century. Most other religious structures in Japan were built (or rebuilt) with the later, imported styles.

    read more

Overview and History

Overview and History

Sumiyoshi Taisha is one of Japan’s most ancient Shinto shrines. According to traditional Japanese chronicles, the shrine was established in 211 by the legendary empress-regent Jingū, who governed western Honshu after her husband’s death. Empress Jingū dedicated the shrine to three deities of the sea, who are collectively called the Sumiyoshi Sanjin. In Shinto mythology, the Sanjin came into being when the deity Izanagi, co-creator of the Japanese archipelago, purified himself in the sea after a voyage to the underworld. One theory holds that the deities are the three bright stars of Orion’s belt, which were commonly used in navigation. After Empress Jingū died, she was enshrined alongside the Sanjin at Sumiyoshi Taisha as a deity in her own right.
Sumiyoshi Taisha was built within a few meters of Osaka Bay, but natural silt buildup and land reclamation projects have moved the shoreline almost 7 kilometers to the west. Between the seventh and ninth centuries, the nearby port of Naniwa was the departure point for trade and diplomatic missions to China. Naniwa was also the beginning and end point of the domestic trade route that connected Osaka to northern Japan.
Sumiyoshi Taisha’s main shrines—the four halls which house its patron deities—face west toward the bay. This sets them apart from most Shinto shrines, which face south or east in accordance with geomancy rules adopted from China during the Nara period (710–794). In the past, the main shrines were rebuilt every 20 years, but this practice was disrupted by civil war in the sixteenth century and ceased entirely in the early nineteenth.
“Sumiyossan,” as Osaka residents affectionately call the shrine, appears in many Japanese stories, from ancient folktales and the eleventh-century Tale of Genji to more recent literary works. A memorial on the shrine grounds honors Kawabata Yasunari (1899–1972), the Nobel Prize–winning author who set his short story “Sorihashi” (1948) at the shrine’s iconic bridge.
For over 1,800 years, the shrine has protected the maritime gateway to Osaka and the old capitals of Nara and Kyoto beyond. Its devotees have included monarchs and poets, seafarers and traders, along with millions of others from all walks of life. Each January, two million people come to Sumiyoshi Taisha for hatsumōde, the traditional first shrine visit of the year. The midsummer Sumiyoshi Matsuri is one of Osaka’s biggest festivals, featuring a parade of portable shrines. Other events, such as ritual rice planting in June and a moon-viewing celebration in early autumn, draw crowds with music, dancing, and readings of traditional Japanese poetry.

Daiichi Hongū

Daiichi Hongū

Daiichi Hongū, or “first main shrine,” is dedicated to Sokotsutsuno-o no Mikoto, one of the three maritime deities enshrined at Sumiyoshi Taisha. Its offering hall, or heiden, is larger than those of the other three main shrines. This difference in size, however, does not reflect any difference in status between the deities. They are considered equals, and the four main shrines are otherwise identical.
Coins lodged in the shingles at the edge of the hall’s roof are errant offerings tossed by the crowds that gather at the shrine during the New Year holidays. The current honden (main sanctuary) was built in 1810 and is designated a National Treasure.

Sorihashi Bridge

Sorihashi Bridge

The official name of this steeply curved bridge is Sorihashi, or “arched bridge,” but the structure is often called Taikobashi, or “drum bridge,” after the shape created by its reflection in the water below. According to popular tradition, crossing the bridge is an act of spiritual purification.
The shape of the bridge may have been inspired by rainbows, which connect the earth to the heavens. In Shinto mythology, the deities Izanagi and Izanami created the Japanese archipelago by stirring the sea with a rod while standing on a floating rainbow bridge. Izanagi is the “father” of Sumiyoshi Taisha’s patron deities: they came into being when he purified himself in the sea after a voyage to the underworld.
Although there are records of a bridge here since the thirteenth century, the bridge in its current form was built around 1600 with funds donated by Yododono (1567–1615). Yododono was a consort of Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536–1598), the powerful warlord who re-unified Japan after a period of civil war and ruled from 1582 to 1598. Yododono was seeking the gods’ favor for her son Toyotomi Hideyori (1593–1615), who was at war with Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616), founder of the Tokugawa shogunate (1603–1868).
The first arched bridge is believed to have been constructed by shipwrights, and shipbuilders have played a leading role in maintaining the structure ever since. It has been rebuilt and repaired numerous times. Before the steps were added in 1955, the only footholds were the gaps between the wooden slats, open to the water.
The modern bridge has a steel frame and cypress-wood boards. It is approximately 21 meters long, 5 meters tall, and 6 meters wide, with a slope of more than 40 degrees at its steepest point. The metalwork on the bridge’s railings has been preserved since the Edo period (1603–1867).
Nobel Prize–winning author Kawabata Yasunari (1899–1972) made the bridge famous in his short story that bears its name. “Sorihashi” is narrated by a man recalling a childhood incident in which his mother revealed a painful secret to him at the top of the bridge. The narrator tells the reader that descending the slope on the far side with his illusions shattered was more frightening than the initial climb.

Sumiyoshi-zukuri

Sumiyoshi-zukuri

The four main sanctuary buildings, or honden, of Sumiyoshi Taisha are archetypal examples of the sumiyoshi-zukuri architectural style. Sumiyoshi-zukuri is noteworthy because it pre-dates the arrival of Buddhists to Japan, who brought with them architectural techniques and styles from the Asian mainland in the sixth century. Most other religious structures in Japan were built (or rebuilt) with the later, imported styles.
Sumiyoshi-zukuri buildings are similar to the temporary structures created for the daijōsai, a Shinto ceremony performed to mark the accession of a new emperor. The style is thought to have roots in ancient palace architecture, and is defined by the features of the hall, dimensions, entrance, roof decoration, and other features of the building. The buildings have simple gable roofs with pairs of crossed ornamental beams at each end. The entrance is in one of the gable walls and, unlike at many shrines and temples, there is no veranda. The buildings lack the central “sacred pillar” to hold up the roof that is a feature common to Shinto shrines built in other styles. The interior is divided into two spaces: an outer sanctuary that is accessed by priests and an inner sanctuary reserved for the deity. Each honden is surrounded by a wooden fence that separates the sacred area from the outside world.
In the past, Sumiyoshi Taisha’s four main shrines were dismantled and rebuilt every 20 years. This practice was interrupted by civil war of the sixteenth century and abandoned entirely in the early nineteenth century. The current honden date to 1810 and are designated National Treasures.

PLAN

01

和nagomi

This plan includes a meal at the prestigious Kisshoden, and optional traditional entertainment such as Sumiyoshi Odori dance.

Formal visit to the shrine and prayer
(with guidance by a priest)Dinner at KisshodenTheater (optional)

PLAN 01

A sense of quality that is unique to Sumiyoshi Taisha,
even for a peaceful dinner.
A banquet that resonates with each and every guest.

*Table flowers are not included in the plan price.
Formal visit to the shrine

Group prayers are offered for the prosperity of company fortune, business, and victory. The priest will recite a prayer and the representative of the group will offer a tamagushi (jewel skewer.)

Flow of shrine visit
  • Arrive at the south parking lot
  • Prayer service
  • Guided tour of shrine grounds
    by a priest
  • Formal visit to the shrine 01
    Prayers at the prayer hall.
  • Formal visit to the shrine 02
    kagurame perform the traditional dance of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in front of the shrine.
  • Formal visit to the shrine 03
    The representative of the group is asked to offer a tamagushi (sacred skewer).
  • Formal visit to the shrine 04
    The priest will guide guests around the shrine grounds with commentary.
Meals

A colorful Shokado bento. The menu changes according to the season with a focus on seasonal vegetables.

Menu (Example)

White wooden box lunch box

  • Hors d'oeuvre

    Rolled egg Grilled red fish with Saikyo sauce Fu(wheat gluten) wrapped in bamboo leaves Simmered and glazed sweet potato Hajikami (Pickled ginger sprout)

  • Meat dishes

    Steamed roast beef Grilled vegetables, watercress

  • Kobachi (Hors-d'oeuvre) (6 kinds)

    Torikai eggplant dengaku Soaked Osaka shirona and deep-fried tofu Sesame pudding, wasabi, brended soy sauce Simmered Senshu octopus and Tanabe radish Kosode style conger eel sushi roll, powdered sansho (Japanese pepper) Steamed Spanish mackerel with yuzu turnip, Kintoki carrot Mitsuba leaves, tortoiseshell sauce

  • Sashimi

    Salmon, seared marlin Garnishes

  • Meal, pickles, Tomewan (last soup)

    Kayaku rice Pickled takana, boiled butterbur, small Ume plum Red miso soup, powdered sansho (Japanese pepper)

  • Fruits

    Pear, grapes, sweetened boiled chestnut, jelly sauce Pomegranate mint

  • Meals01
    The menu is based on a variety of Japanese dishes prepared by chefs who have studied in first-class kitchens and offers the seasonal colors that only Japanese cuisine provides.
  • Meals02
    Kisshoden is located within the precincts of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. The traditional pediment structure, which blends in with the precincts dotted with national treasures and important cultural properties, gives the building a sense of prestige.
Time Schedule for the Day

  • Arrival and Registration

    Upon arrival, we will confirm the number of visitors in your group. If you wish to receive an official shrine seal, we will take your seal book at this time.

  • Shrine visit and prayerapprox. 90 min.

    Group prayers will be held at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Prayer Hall. Afterwards, a priest will guide guests to the historic sites within the shrine grounds while giving commentary.

  • Mealapprox. 60 min.

    Please enjoy Shokado bento box lunch at Kisshoden.
    After the meal, enjoy Sumiyoshi-san all the way through with optional traditional entertainment and reserved souvenirs.

  • Finish

Price

Price per person for 20 persons

9,760yen
(including tax and service charge)

9,760 yen x 20 people = 195,200 yen (including tax and service charge)

  • Drinks are not included in the price.
  • Dishes will change depending on the season.
  • Prices are based on a 20-person party.
  • A minimum of 20 people is required to make a reservation.
  • If the number of guests exceeds 20, an additional 6,050 yen per person will be charged.
  • For groups of 60 people or more, please inquire as the venue fee will vary.
  • Up to 350 people.
  • Please note that there are some days when this offer is not available.
    (Excluded days: Dec. 24-Jan. 31, Wednesdays when the restaurant is closed, and shrine ritual and ceremony days)
  • Please make a reservation at least 30 days in advance.
02

雅miyabi

This plan includes a meal in Shinkan, a historical building that not normally accessible by, and optional traditional entertainment such as rakugo.

Formal visit to the shrine and prayer
(with guidance by a priest)Dinner at ShinkanTheater (optional)

PLAN 02

Enjoy the best hospitality in this special guest house designated as a registered tangible cultural property.

Formal visit to the shrine

Group prayers are offered for the prosperity of company fortune, business, and victory. The priest will recite a prayer and the representative of the group will offer a sacred skewer.

Flow of shrine visit
  • Arrive at the south parking lot
  • Prayer service
  • Guided tour of shrine grounds
    by a priest
  • Formal visit to the shrine 01
    Prayers at the prayer hall.
  • Formal visit to the shrine 02
    Kagurame perform the traditional dance of Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in front of the shrine.
  • Formal visit to the shrine 03
    The representative of the group is asked to offer a tamagushi (sacred skewer).
  • Formal visit to the shrine 04
    The priest will guide guests around the shrine grounds with commentary.
Meals

This is a course menu of Japanese cuisine. We serve seasonal colorful dishes made with our special soup stock offering the kind of sincerity that only Japanese cuisine can.

Menu (Example)

Kaiseki

  • Festive hors d'oeuvres

    Soaked Osaka shirona and deep-fried tofu Tofu paste with chestnuts and persimmon, simmered Katsuma Pumpkin Baked cod roe with saikyo sauce, simmered and glazed sweet potato, edible chrysanthemum “Mottenohoka”

  • Suimono (clear soup)

    Soup topped with sliced raw tuna Torikai eggplant, Tennoji turnip, seasonal chrysanthemum, yuzu

  • Sliced raw fish

    Sashimi of tuna, sashimi of sea bream, prawn, garnishes

  • Fish dishes

    Roasted salmon with roasted egg Red clay Daikoku shimeji mushroom Kosode style conger eel sushi Grilled Tanabe daikon dengaku Hajikami (Pickled ginger sprout)

  • Meat dishes

    Nose Kuroushi beef tender stew, Ragu sauce, grilled vegetables, watercress

  • Meal, pickles, Tomewan (last soup)

    Rice cooked with matsutake mushrooms and taro stem Pickled takana, butterbur, small Ume plum Red miso soup, powdered sansho (Japanese pepper)

  • Dessert

    Mont Blanc, pear, persimmon, mint

  • Meals 01
    The menu is based on a variety of Japanese dishes prepared by chefs who have studied in first-class kitchens, and offers the seasonal colors that only Japanese cuisine can offer.
  • Meals 02
    Usually strictly closed and never open to the public, the Shinkan is a historical building erected to commemorate the accession to the throne of Emperor Taisho.
Time Schedule for the Day

  • Arrival and Registration

    Upon arrival, we will confirm the number of visitors. If you wish to receive an official shrine seal, we will take your seal book at this time.

  • Shrine visit and prayerapprox. 90 min.

    Group prayers will be held at the Sumiyoshi Taisha Prayer Hall.
    Afterward, a priest will guide guests to the historic sites on the shrine grounds with commentary.

  • Diningapprox. 90 min.

    Enjoy a Japanese course menu at Shinkan.

  • Viewing (optional)approx. 40 min.

    After the meal, enjoy Sumiyoshi-san all the way through with optional traditional entertainment and reserved souvenirs.

  • End

Price

Price per person for 20 persons

17,625yen
(including tax and service charge)

17,625 yen × 20 persons = 352,500 yen (including tax and service charge)

  • Drinks are not included in the price.
  • Dishes will change depending on the season.
  • Prices are based on a 20-person party.
  • A minimum of 20 people is required to make a reservation.
  • If the number of guests exceeds 20, an additional 12,100 yen per person will be charged.
  • Maximum of 50 persons.
  • Please note that there are some days when this offer is not available.
    (Excluded days: Dec. 24-Jan. 31, Wednesdays when the restaurant is closed, and shrine ritual and ceremony days)
  • Please make a reservation at least 30 days in advance.
Option
  • Sumiyoshi dance
    Sumiyoshi dance
  • Manzai
    Manzai
  • Rakugo
    Rakugo
  • Street performance
    Street performance
  • Noh
    Noh

*We can make arrangements according to your needs and budget. Please contact us for details.

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09

SOUVENIR

Souvenirs reserved in advance can be collected at Kisshoden. Please feel free to contact us.

  • Fukufukufu

    Fukujudo-HidenobuFukufukufu

    Established in 1948 Japanese pudding made with our original method of kneading sweet red bean paste into a dough blended with rice flour and steaming it.

    1,242 yen for a pack of 5
    (including tax and service charge)

    2,376 yen for a pack of 10
    (including tax and service charge)

    Shelf life: 10 days from the date of manufacture
    *Also available in packs of 15 and 20.

  • Akamaedare

    Sumiyoshi Ka’an KikujuAkamaedare

    Established in 1952 A baked rice cake with sweet red bean paste, named after the akamaedare (red apron) used by the girls of teahouses who took respite during pilgrimages to Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine in the olden days.

    1,696 yen for a pack of 10
    (including tax and service charge)

    2,506 yen for a pack of 15
    (including tax and service charge)

    Shelf life: 2 days from the date of manufacture
    *Also available in packs of 20.

  • Dorayaki

    Sumiyoshi Ka’an KikujuDorayaki

    Established in 1952 Kikuju's signature large red beans and chestnuts combine to create a simple taste.

    1,264 yen for a pack of 5
    (including tax and service charge)

    2,398 yen for a pack of 10
    (including tax and service charge)

    Shelf life: 3 days from the date of manufacture
    *Also available in packs of 15 or 24

  • Satsumayaki

    Suehirodo - Sumiyoshi's
    specialtySatsumayaki

    Established in the first year of Meiji era The homemade red bean paste made from Tokachi azuki beans is wrapped in a secret recipe skin and baked on a bamboo skewer.

    5 pieces 1,004 yen
    (including tax and service charge)

    2,160 yen
    (including tax and service charge)

    Shelf life: 4 days from the date of manufacture

VOICE

  • It was a very meaningful time for me to recognize this spot that I would normally simply walk straight by as in fact possessing such significance and history.

    Female, 30's

  • I was impressed by the depth of knowledge of the priests. I would like to hear more about it Kisshoden if I have the chance. Not only was the food delicious, but each dish had its own story to tell.

    Female, 40s

  • The legitimacy and characteristics of Sumiyoshi Taisha were conveyed to us in a straightforward and fun way, which tickled our intellectual curiosity. I knew of Naniwa vegetables, but it was very satisfying to actually taste them this time.

    Male, 40s

  • I could really tell that each dish was made with meticulous care. They were all so full of flavor and delight.

    Female, 30's

  • I enjoyed not only the historical background of Sumiyoshi Taisha but also the food, culture, etc. from a different point of view to the other shrines I have visited in the past.

    Male, 50’s

01 02

FLOW FROM APPLICATION
TO THE DAY OF VISIT

  • Application

    Email / Phone

    Please select your dining venue and theater performance options at least 30 days in advance.
    Please note that there are some days when this offer is not available. (Excluded days: Dec. 24-Jan. 31, Wednesdays when the restaurant is closed, and shrine ritual and ceremony days)

  • 3 weeks prior

    Direct visit / E-mail / Phone call

    We will discuss the formal visit, number of people, meal table plan, and other details of the day.

  • 3 days before

    Deadline for changes

    3 days prior to the reservation deadline for changes in the number of people, etc.

  • Day of visit

    Please spend a special time at Sumiyoshi-san.

Cancellation of Reservations
and Cancellation Fees

ACCESS

2-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi-ku,
Osaka 558-0045

APPLICATION AND INQUIRIES