A temple in a holy ground, you can enjoy tinted red autumn colors, beautiful waterfalls and silky smooth bath.
Daiitoku-ji Temple(大威徳寺) is located in Kishiwada City of Osaka. The temple is in the mountain of Ushitaki-san, surrounded by nature. Ushitaki-san is a famous spot for viewing autumn color. It’s also good place for hiking all year round.
The temple is one of Japan’s oldest and was used by the famed monk, Kukai in the 9th century. It is said that Ennogyouja, the founder of Shugendou (Japanese mountain asceticism-shamanism incorporating Shinto and Buddhist concepts), established this temple, and it has been respected since then by people as a holy ground of Katsuragi Shugendou. At temple’s precincts, there is the Daishido Hall and Shourou Bell Tower which were built in the Edo Period (1603-1868), as well as Hondo, main hall and Tahoutou, two-storied pagoda, which was built in the Muromachi Period (1336-1573) .
Features
Water falls and temple buildings along with tinted red maples creating a picturesque view.
In Autumn, maple and ginkgo trees color, and create wonderful scenery. Visitors can enjoy the sight of tinted red maples and the temple buildings along with the mossy stone steps. You will come across some interesting statues as well, such as cute Jizo, and the cow god. you can go to Ushitaki-yama hiking trail from the back of the temple. As you go further up the hiking trail, you will find 3 waterfalls and Kinryu waterfalls. There is a maple avenue to stroll down, near by the beautiful Kinryu Falls.
Ushitaki-Onsen Hot Springs
Visitors can also enjoy Ushitaki Onsen hot springs near the bus stop that flow out hot springs from 1645 meters underground at a layer from more than 700 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. The hot spring here is silky smooth and is famous as a bath for the beautiful skin.
Address : 1178, Osawa-cho, Kishiwada-city, Osaka Prefecture
Bus : Take the Nankai bus bound for Ushitakiyama from Kishiwada station on the Nankai line( 50-minute bus ride), or Take the bus from Kumeda station on the JR Hanwa Line
Hours : No closing hours but public transport is relatively limited, so check in advance 8:00 to 16:00
Admission : Free