A Visitor’s Guide to Katsuo-ji: A Historic “Winning Daruma” Temple in the Mountains

The top recommendation is to take a local bus or taxi from Minoh-Kayano Station, the northern terminus of the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway, which runs through service with the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line.
It takes 26 minutes from Umeda Station and 19 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to reach Minoh-Kayano Station. From Minoh-Kayano Station, you can take the direct bus to Katsuo-ji—Hankyu Bus, Hokusetsu Reien Line 30 bound for Katsuo-ji—for Approx. 21 minutes.
On weekdays, buses run every 30 minutes between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm; on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, they run every 20 minutes.
When it’s crowded, extra buses may also run every 10 minutes.
The bus stop at Minoh-Kayano Station for buses bound for Katsuo-ji is Stop 8, where staff who speak Japanese, English, and Chinese can assist you.

Cash is not accepted for fares, so you’ll want to have a transportation IC card such as ICOCA or SUICA ready in advance.

From Osaka-Umeda Station, take the Hankyu Takarazuka Main Line, transfer at Ishibashi Handai-mae to the Hankyu Minoh Line, and get off at Minoh (Approx. 26 minutes including transfer time).
From Minoh, take a taxi to Katsuo-ji (Approx. 20 minutes).
On special autumn illumination days (Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in November), a direct Hankyu Bus runs from Minoh to Katsuo-ji in Approx. 35 minutes.

From the Umeda (JR Osaka Station) area, you can also transfer to the Osaka Monorail at Senri-Chuo and reach the terminus of the Osaka Monorail International Culture Park City Monorail Line, Saito-nishi, then take a taxi. However, it takes 50–54 minutes from Umeda to Saito-nishi. The taxi ride from Saito-nishi to Katsuo-ji takes Approx. 12 minutes.

If you’re driving a private car or rental car, there are periods when reservations are required to use the parking lot on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (such as during the fall foliage season).
Check parking reservation availability on the Katsuo-ji website.
Also, during the fall foliage season, one-way traffic regulations are enforced on the Minoh Driveway (Osaka Prefectural Route 43, Toyonaka–Kameoka Line).
If you’re also planning to visit Minoh Falls or the dam, be sure to confirm the latest information in advance.

The area where Katsuo-ji is located sees cherry blossoms bloom later than in the foothills.
They reach their peak around the time blossoms start to fall in central Osaka, so you can enjoy peak cherry blossom scenery more than once.
From late April, large peonies come into bloom, brightening the grounds once again.
In early May, fresh leaves sprout on trees that shed their leaves in winter, and the scenery turns a vivid green.

From early June through July, during the rainy season, hydrangeas bloom in red, purple, and blue.
Even on rainy days, you can enjoy a lush, beautiful atmosphere.

Fall foliage peaks from mid-November to early December, making it one of the most popular seasons alongside cherry blossom season.
As the mountains shift color and vivid reds appear across the landscape, you can enjoy truly spectacular scenery.
On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in November, the temple is illuminated at night, and visiting hours are extended until 8:30 pm.

This structure was rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori, the third son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in 1603—the year Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate.
During the autumn illumination season, the gate is also lit up.

The plaque on the front reads “Ochozan,” while the plaque on the back reads “Katsuo-ji,” the original name that became the origin of the temple’s name.

Beyond the bridge that continues from the Sanmon Gate lies the garden of the Buddha (=the temple grounds).
Walk through the cleansing mist over the bridge to ward off bad luck and purify yourself before entering.

Benzaiten originated as Sarasvati, an Indian goddess who protects water, and later came to be worshipped as a deity of the arts, music, learning, and wisdom.
She is also revered as a bringer of financial fortune and business success.
Here, try paying attention to the sound of flowing water as you pray.

Although it’s located in the first half of the route, visiting after praying at the Main Hall and other halls can help calm your mind even more and receive wisdom.
The proper way to pray is to walk around it seven times clockwise, and once you reach the center point, walk seven times counterclockwise. You can also sit on the surrounding stones and meditate.

Climb the stairs while facing the Tahoto Pagoda, and you’ll see the Kachi-Daruma offering shelves on your left.
They’re packed with daruma of all sizes, each filled with its donor’s wishes.
It’s a popular spot for photos, but be mindful of etiquette—don’t block the walkway or take an overly long time taking pictures.

This is Japan’s oldest hall dedicated to Kojin, revered as “Sanbo Kojin,” guardian of the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
It is also worshipped as “Harae Kojin,” believed to cleanse people’s worries and illness.

Rebuilt by Toyotomi Hideyori along with the Sanmon Gate, the Main Hall enshrines Katsuo-ji’s principal image, the Eleven-Headed Thousand-Armed Kannon (Bodhisattva).
Chanting never ceases throughout the year, and you can hear sutras echoing through the grounds even from a distance.
If you receive a daruma at the “O-sazuke Place in Front of the Main Hall,” be sure to pray here at the Main Hall.
To the right of the Main Hall is the General Reception Office (Nokyo-sho), where you can pray for good fortune in victory and receive goshuin.

Because Honen stayed here for Approx. four years during the Kamakura period, this is the fifth sacred site among the 25 Honen Sacred Sites.
It sits at the highest point on the grounds, and benches in front of the hall offer a panoramic view.
You can also enjoy views from around the Tahoto Pagoda, but from up here the scenery feels even more open.

After paying the admission fee at the entrance, you’ll receive a postcard printed with a picture-frame border.
As you stamp at multiple stations around the grounds, a single multicolored image is completed, like a print.
Because you layer the stamps yourself, each finished card turns out a little differently from standard printing.
Following the stamp rally order also guides you along the visiting route, and it makes a great souvenir—so be sure to complete it.

The small daruma placed all around the grounds were left behind by worshippers who drew a Daruma omikuji.

Placed wherever each visitor chooses, the daruma add color to the grounds like an ever-changing art installation.
Some are clustered tightly together, while others stand alone—almost as if they’re chatting with one another or training in solitude.

There are many types of amulets for different wishes, such as “good fortune,” “good fortune for victory,” “business success,” “family safety,” “warding off misfortune and bringing good fortune,” “recovery from illness,” “health,” “finding a good match,” “academics,” and “traffic safety.”
A catalog is introduced on the official website, so it’s a good idea to check in advance.

The “64-hexagram Daruma omikuji” can only be drawn at Katsuo-ji—the only place in Japan where this fortune is offered.
Instead of the usual “good luck” or “bad luck” results, it contains guiding words for the worshipper.
You can also “tie” the fortune at a designated spot on the grounds to “form a connection” with the Buddha.
Even if you do, a QR code is attached so you can scan it on your phone and read the guidance you received.

You can receive three types of goshuin: “Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage,” “Goeika,” and “Enko Daishi,” the goshuin for the 25 Honen Sacred Sites.
Even if you don’t have a goshuin-cho, sticker-style goshuin are available, so you can attach them later after purchasing one.

Osaka souvenirs often feature punny product names, and Katsuo-ji’s daruma-themed souvenirs include some uniquely named items as well.
You’ll find products that may make you smile, such as “Katsunjaga,” a pun on “katsu” (win) and “jaga” (potato), and “Kachi Gummy,” made in collaboration with UHA Mikakuto (pronounced the same as “kachigumi,” meaning the winning side).
Many items also feature cute daruma designs on the packaging, making it fun to pick out a look you like.

Use the “Inochi no Sunadokei” calendar, which you can download from Katsuo-ji’s official website, to reflect on your daily actions.
Since circles are printed on the calendar, if you feel you “lived today to the fullest,” fill in the circle with black.

Once your wish comes true, fill in the daruma’s left eye as proof that you achieved your goal.
Visit the Main Hall of Katsuo-ji to report your result and express your gratitude.
Finally, offer your Kachi-Daruma on the daruma shelves with a thankful heart.

A ryotei-style inn and restaurant located in the Meiji no Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park.
Housed in a Taisho-era residence, it lets you enjoy a meal while feeling the changing seasons.
A counter overlooking the courtyard from large windows is limited to eight guests per day, where you can savor sushi while watching a sushi chef’s refined technique.

Conveniently located for sightseeing in Minoh, just a 4-minute walk from the north exit of Minoh-Kayano Station.
It’s Japan’s first specialty restaurant for gyutoro yakishabu, made with carefully selected Japanese Black Wagyu.
Its signature “vegetable roll” style brings out even more of the meat’s flavor.
The menu is extensive, and you can also enjoy rice cooked in a kamado stove.

A Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy carefully prepared cuisine in private rooms, made with seasonal ingredients and a focus on dashi.
No processed foods are used, and ingredients are carefully selected by skilled chefs, so even people with allergies can feel comfortable enjoying a meal.
Kids’ bento are also available, which is another plus for families with children.

A major waterfall with a 33-meter drop, selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.
It came to be called Minoh Otaki because its shape resembles a “mino,” a traditional farm tool.
Fall foliage season is the most popular time to visit, but it’s beautiful year-round.
It’s a spot where you can truly feel Minoh’s rich natural environment.

It developed as a training ground centered around Minoh Falls, and is said to have begun when En no Gyoja, who gained insight under Benzaiten’s guidance in 658, enshrined a statue of Benzaiten.
It enshrines Japan’s first and oldest Benzaiten as its principal image, and it is also known as the birthplace of the lottery, once called “Minoh Tomi.”

Along with Mount Takao in Tokyo, it was designated a quasi-national park in 1967, the year marking 100 years since the Meiji era began.
Located in northern Osaka City, it remains a nature-rich forest despite its proximity to a major metropolitan area, with 1,100 plant species and 3,000 insect species.
It lies in the low mountain zone of northern Minoh City at elevations of 100–600 m, and with both Minoh Falls and Katsuo-ji within the park, there’s plenty to see.

A facility built within Minoh Quasi-National Park, a treasure trove of insects—take a walk nearby and you’re likely to find many species.
Along with familiar insects, it also exhibits live specimens from overseas and the Nansei Islands, and in the butterfly garden you can observe many butterflies fluttering year-round.