Shitenno-ji Temple

Shitennoji was founded by Prince Shotoku in Suiko 1 (593) as the first official Buddhist temple in Japan, and it has come through repeated disasters and wartime fires to the present day. Its Shitennoji style layout preserves the oldest form of temple complex in the country. Halls connected with the founders of the different schools stand here, among them Dengyo Daishi Saicho, Kobo Daishi Kukai, Honen Shonin and Shinran Shonin, and the temple stands outside sectarian lines. The central complex consists of Showa era buildings that reproduce the original style, while the Rokuji Raisando and the Gansan Daishido on the north side of the grounds are early Edo period buildings designated national Important Cultural Properties. There is also a treasure house holding many National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, and on the fair days of the 21st (Daishi-e) and the 22nd (Taishi-e) of each month there are services and many stalls set up in the grounds.

Translated and shortened from the Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City tourist listings (観光施設一覧, CC BY 4.0).

Osaka Prefecture's list of designated cultural properties names this place as the owner of 51, among them 3 National Treasures and 23 Important Cultural Properties. Objects are not necessarily on view.

And 45 more on the list. 大阪府 文化財一覧 (CC BY 4.0), current at 2024-05-01. Joined by owner name; long names are shortened to the buildings or the object.