Namba Yasaka Shrine Wedding Ceremony: Video Introduction

This video, titled "Shrine Wedding at Namba Yasaka Shrine (難波八阪神社で神社結婚式)," was uploaded by "Namba Yasaka Shrine" (難波八阪神社).

Namba Yasaka Shrine is located in the Naniwa Ward of downtown Osaka, in Japan's Kansai region. This video was filmed to advertise a traditional Japanese Wedding at a Shinto shrine, at Namba Yasaka Shrine. This shrine is incredibly popular on Japanese Instagram because of its unique Shishiden, a stage shaped like the head of a lion, and the Main Hall, with its beautiful architecture and solemn green and white coloring. Before reading any further, check out the video to see what a traditional Japanese Shinto wedding is like at the shrine.

What Are Traditional Japanese Weddings Like?

A traditional Japanese wedding, called a "Shinzenshiki" (神前式, lit. 'Ceremony before the gods'), is a wedding ceremony that takes places at a temple or shrine. During the wedding, the groom wears a black, 5-crested haori hakama (montsuki haori hakama), the most formal attire there is. Women on the other hand, wear a white kimono called a "Shiromuku," along with a special white cotton headdress.

The wedding itself has several stages, including a purification ritual, a ritual drinking of sake, an exchange of rings, etc. The ceremony itself last around 20-40 minutes, but including preparations etc., the event will last several hours.

Information About Namba Yasaka Shrine

Photo：Namba Yasaka Shrine, Naniwa, Osaka

Namba Yasaka Shrine's enshrined deities are: Susanoo, Kushinadahime, Yahashiramiko.

Because Susanoo's divine virtues are divine virtues are to ward off bad luck, ward off pestilence, prosperous business, agriculture and fertility, you can see offerings from well-known companies in the precincts of the shrine.

Kushiinadahime is known for her virtues of matchmaking, harmonious marriage, and easy childbirth. A wedding blessed by her is likely to bring you long-lasting happiness!

Yahashiramiko are the eight gods born to Susanoo and Kushinadahime.

Namba Yasaka Shrine's shuin stamp (shrine seal) is featured in the Shishiden, which is a symbol of this shrine. Even foreign tourists can tell that the stamp is from Namba Yasaka Shrine at a glance. On the cover of the original goshuin-cho (a book to collect shuin stamps), there is a lion's face and the shrine crest.

The History of Namba Yasaka Shrine

Photo：The Shishiden at Namba Yasaka Shrine, Naniwa, Osaka

The present main shrine of Namba Yasaka Shrine was rebuilt in 1974, but it is said that the shrine was built more than 1,600 years ago, to worship Gozu Tenno, a god that is said to have appeared in order to subdue a plague that was spreading in the area.
[Video] 0:17 - The Main Hall Colored White and Green

Namba Yasaka Shrine is also known as Namba Shimonomiya, and has long been a familiar place for people born in the Namba area as a protector.

In 1974, when the main shrine was rebuilt, the Shishiden was designed in the shape of a lion to ward off evil. The Shishiden enshrines the spirit of Susanoo.

Shaped like a large lion's head, the Shishiden is powerful looking structure and a popular spot on Japanese social media. It's said to swallow evil spirits with its large mouth, and many people visit the shrine to pray for academic prosperity, business fortune, and victory.

The Shishiden also serves as a stage, where Kagura (Shinto music and dance) and Shishimai (lion dances) are performed during special events.
[Video] 0:15 - The Shishiden of Namba Yasaka Shrine

Festivals at Namba Yasaka Shrine

Here are two major festivals held at Namba Yasaka Shrine:

●Summer Festival
The Summer Festival is held every year on July 13 and 14. During the festival, numerous portable shrines and taiko drums are paraded through the streets, and the boat procession, which was revived in 2001 for the first time in some 230 years, makes a lively parade along the Dotonbori River. On both days, folk dances and lion dances are held on the stage of the Shishiden, and there's also mochi-maki (the scattering of rice cakes to participants) and other events that attract a large number of people.

●Tsunahiki Shinji

Tsunahiki Shinji is a Shinto tug-of-war ritual held on the third Sunday of January each year. It's designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Osaka. Based on the legend of Susanoo defeating Yamata no Orochi, a legendary eight-headed serpent, and protecting the people, this ritual is to pray for people's happiness by playing tug-of-war with a large rope that is made to look like an eight-headed serpent. The 20-meter long rope is made of thin ropes strung together by local volunteers.

How to Get to Namba Yasaka Shrine + Parking Information, Etc.

Photo：Namba Station, Osaka

Here's how to get to Namba Yasaka Shrine in Naniwa, Osaka.

●By Train
・ Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line or Yotsubashi Line to [Namba Station]
・ Take the Kintetsu Railway or Nankai Electric Railway to [Namba Station]
・ Take the JR Yamatoji Line to [Namba Station]
After arriving at Namba Station, exit the subway from Exit 32, which is near the south gate of Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line. After exiting, take a right and then turn right again at the intersection named "Motomachi 3-chome Kita" (元町3丁目北). There, you'll see the south gate of Namba Yasaka Shrine. It's about a 6-minute walk.

・ Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line or Yotsubashi Line and get off at [Daikoku-cho Station]
After reaching the ground level from Exit 2, proceed to the left and turn left at the "Motomachi 3-chome Kita" intersection to reach the South Gate of Namba Yasaka Shrine. It's about a 7-minute walk.

●By Car
Just west of the "Motomachi 3-chome Kita" intersection on Route 26.

Parking is available on the right after entering the south gate torii. There are ample coin parking lots in the vicinity.

Things to Do Near Namba Yasaka Shrine

Namba Yasaka Shrine is located in the heart of Osaka, meaning it's close to pretty much every tourist attractions in the area. Below is a list of 3 nearby places you should consider checking out:

Dotonbori
Running east to west through the center of Osaka, this canal was completed in 1615. Soon after, theaters were set up on the south bank and the area became an entertainment district. Today there are not nearly as many theaters, and the area is known for its food culture. It has a myriad of places to eat and drink while exploring the area. It's a 15-minute walk from Namba Yasaka Shrine.

Shinsekai
Located 20 minutes southeast of Namba Yasaka Shrine, this is a retro area with many different eateries and attractions, such as target shooting and arcades. It's also home to the famous Tsutenkaku Tower.

Nipponbashi Denden Town
Nipponbashi Denden Town is the Akihabara of Osaka. The area features shops selling everything from anime goods and manga to second hand goods and electronics. There are also a number of themed cafes in the area, such as maid cafes. Being just a 15-minute walk from Namba Yasaka Shrine, it's definitely a cool place to throw on your list.

This is just a few of the places you can find near Namba Yasaka Shrine, but there are many more that are relatively close, such as Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi Taisha. Be sure to do your research before visiting!

Summary of Namba Yasaka Shrine

Namba Yasaka Shrine is located in Minami, Osaka and is easily accessible, attracting many domestic and international tourists. It's famous as a power spot for taking photos, and is also known for being visited by the members of Kanjani Eight (a Japanese idol group) on a TV program.

The historic Namba Yasaka Shrine can be used for wedding ceremonies, as well as general shrine visits and special occasions such as Shichi-Go-San. Be sure to take your camera or have your smart phone handy to take some pictures with the shrine when you visit!

◆Namba Yasaka Shrine◆
【Address】2-9-19, Motomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
【Access】
By train: 6 minutes' walk from Namba Station of Osaka Midosuji Line and Yotsubashi Line / 7 minutes' walk from Daikokucho Station of Osaka Metro Midosuji Line and Yotsubashi Line / About 6 minutes' walk from Namba Station of Nankai Electric Railway
【Parking】Available

【TripAdvisor】Namba Yasaka Shrine