Katsuo-ji Temple: Daruma Dolls and Cherry Blossoms in Osaka

In Japanese culture, Daruma dolls symbolize perseverance and never giving up. Their round, resilient shape is associated with the saying, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight,” representing the ability to rise again after facing challenges or failures.

Katsuo-ji Temple, located in Minoh City, Osaka, is famous for its grounds filled with tens of thousands of Daruma dolls. It is a place of energy, where visitors come to pray for success, good fortune, and victory. The Daruma dolls here represent “victory,” and Katsuo-ji is also known as the “Temple of Winning Luck.”

Since ancient times, everyone from military commanders to modern-day politicians and business leaders have visited the temple to pray for success. Many students and workers come here to pray for academic success, promotions, and job opportunities. Nowadays, many tourists flock to Katsuo-ji just to see the famous “Daruma Doll Pavilion.”

Transportation

Katsuo-ji is located about an hour’s drive from central Osaka, up in the mountains. From Osaka, we took the Midosuji Subway Line all the way to the last stop, Senri-Chuo Station, and then caught the No. 29 bus directly to Katsuo-ji. The bus schedule is limited, with just three buses a day at 9:10, 11:10, and 14:10. It’s recommended to arrive early to secure a seat. Since transportation can be inconvenient, you could also consider booking a one-day tour through 👉KKday👈

Exploring Katsuo-ji Temple

The entire Katsuo-ji Temple area is vast, covering about 80,000 square meters. Walking along the pathways, you’ll encounter scenic ponds, waterfalls, and Daruma dolls hidden in every corner—on trees, in rock crevices, and among the flowers.

It feels like walking through a magical forest, with adorable little creatures watching you from every direction. You won’t be able to resist snapping countless photos of the Daruma dolls with your camera.

Katsuo-ji is also one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Osaka. 🌸🌸 Every spring, the temple transforms into a romantic sea of cherry blossoms.

We visited in April, during the peak cherry blossom season, and the combination of blooming cherry trees and peeking Daruma dolls created a harmonious, charming, and whimsical scene. (Besides cherry blossoms in March and April, you can also enjoy beautiful autumn foliage in November and December.🍁🍁)

Inside the temple, there is a purification bridge, symbolizing the cleansing of visitors’ bad luck as they cross it. 👇

The temple grounds are home to elegant weeping cherry trees that sway in the breeze, creating a serene and dreamy atmosphere. In addition to weeping cherry trees, the temple features a variety of other cherry blossoms, such as double-flowered cherry trees, Sato-zakura, and Yamazakura. These blossoms paint Katsuo-ji’s every corner into a poetic landscape.

In the middle of the lake, you can find a statue of Benzaiten, the goddess of fortune, where visitors can pray for financial blessings.👇

Walking from the entrance to the main hall, surprises await at every turn. Since the temple is relatively far from the city and transportation is limited, there aren’t as many tourists, making for a peaceful and relaxing visit.

History of Katsuo-ji Temple

Katsuo-ji Temple was originally called “Mirokuji Temple” and was founded during the Nara period by Prince Kaisei, the son of Emperor Kōnin. The temple’s sixth abbot is said to have cured Emperor Seiwa of illness through his prayers. In recognition of this, the emperor granted the temple a new name, “Katsuō-ji,” meaning “Temple of Victory Over Kings.”

Out of reverence and respect, the temple’s name was later modified to “Katsuo-ji.” Over its 1,300-year history, prominent historical figures such as Minamoto no Yoritomo, Ashikaga Takauji, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu are said to have visited Katsuo-ji to pray for victory before battle.

Daruma Doll Pavilion

Before reaching the main hall, you’ll pass by the “Daruma Doll Pavilion.”

This must-see, Instagram-worthy spot is one of the main reasons many people visit Katsuo-ji.

The pavilion is filled with large and small Daruma dolls that have been returned after wishes were fulfilled, creating an impressive display of at least a thousand dolls. Their eyes are all painted differently because the left eye is colored in when the wish is made, and the right eye is filled in once the wish comes true.

Katsuo-ji Temple Daruma dolls illustration

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How to Make a Wish with a Daruma Doll

Daruma dolls not only ward off bad luck but also help people achieve their goals. After taking photos with other people’s fulfilled Daruma dolls, why not get your own and make a wish?

First, choose a Daruma doll from the store that resonates with you.
You’ll notice that the newly purchased Daruma doll has no pupils in its eyes—they are entirely white.

Write your goal for the next year on the back of the Daruma.

Light incense to show gratitude for divine protection.
After offering incense, take your Daruma and let it absorb the incense smoke.

While focusing on your goal, paint the right eye of the Daruma, symbolizing your determination to achieve it. (Though some traditions say to paint the left eye first, here at Katsuo-ji, it’s the right eye.)

Once your goal is achieved, you can paint the left eye and return the Daruma to the pavilion.
This act is known as “opening the eyes” or “awakening the spirit.”
Even if your wish isn’t fulfilled, it’s still customary to return the Daruma to Katsuo-ji within a year.

And that’s how you end up with rows and rows of fulfilled Daruma dolls, retired after their success. 👇

The custom of painting the eyes is said to date back to the Edo period when smallpox outbreaks frequently caused vision problems or blindness. People began turning to Daruma for protection, hoping to paint their own eyes. This tradition of painting the eyes for blessings has continued to this day.

If you’re just looking for a souvenir, you can skip the wishing process and simply paint the eyes black yourself.

After making a wish with your Daruma, take some time to explore Katsuo-ji’s main hall. 👇

I was particularly impressed by the Daishi Hall next to it, which is dedicated to the great monk Kōbō Daishi (Kūkai). Inside, the floor is covered with sand from Shikoku’s 88 sacred pilgrimage sites, symbolizing the spirit of pilgrimage. Walking on this sand is believed to grant the same blessings as visiting all 88 sites in person.

The vast Katsuo-ji grounds offer much to see and photograph. Originally, I came just to see the Daruma dolls, but the sight of blooming cherry blossoms made every corner feel romantic and dreamy. Under the cherry trees, pink petals floated in the wind, creating a beautiful contrast with the Daruma dolls and the ancient temple. We spent about three hours wandering the temple grounds.

On our way back, the bus schedule was sparse, so when we saw a taxi at the entrance, we decided to take it. The elderly driver drove briskly down the mountain, and after a whirlwind journey, we made it back to the city feeling a bit dizzy. The taxi fare ended up being around 3,600 yen.

Katsuo-ji Temple Information

Address: 2914-1 Aomatani, Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture
Opening Hours:
- Weekdays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry 4:30 PM)
- Saturdays: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last entry 5:30 PM)
- Sundays & Public Holidays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry 4:30 PM)
Admission Fee:
- Adults: 500 yen
- Elementary & Junior High Students: 200 yen
- Children under school age: 100 yen
- Children under 2: Free
Best Seasons to Visit:
- March–April for cherry blossoms
- November–December for autumn foliage

Getting to Katsuo-ji Temple

By subway and bus: Take the Osaka Subway Midosuji Line to the last stop, Senri-Chuo Station, and then take the No. 29 bus directly to Katsuo-ji.
By taxi: The taxi fare from Senri-Chuo Station to Katsuo-ji is approximately 3,600 yen.
One-day tours: KKday offers recommended day tours to Katsuo-ji Temple.

KKday One-Day Tour Recommendation 👉👉 Katsuo-ji Temple