Source: Daruma dolls stacked up at Katsuo-ji, Osaka. | Courtesy of Team JJ and JAPAN Forward

Daru-madness at Osaka’s Katsuōji Temple

Katsuō-ji itself is cloaked in the northern mountains that rise from Ōsaka’s Minō district, and it’s one of the oldest temples in Japan to discover the traditional Daruma dolls.

Team JJ, via JAPAN Forward

Thousands of ‘used’ Daruma? Welcome to the mountain temple of Katsuō-ji.

Tiny wooden Daruma sit dotted across three stone lanterns, backed in the green woodland of Katsuō-ji. | Photo courtesy of Team JJ and JAPAN Forward

One could say with confidence that the temple of Katsuō-ji could be classed as an ‘under the radar’ type of location.

When people think of Ōsaka, they more commonly think of castles, skyscrapers or Universal Studios Japan.

However, Ōsaka (historically named Naniwa) is a vast and varied city and prefecture.

Although it may be home to Japan’s tallest building (Abeno Harukas), it’s also home to Japan’s first state-build Buddhist temple (Shi-tennōji). A natural basin, the city is framed with Japan’s characteristic mountains—home to much more than visitors may realise.

Katsuō-ji itself is cloaked in the northern mountains that rise from Ōsaka’s Minō district.

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