Temple · Minoh

Katsuoji Temple 勝尾寺

A mountain temple in Minoh where thousands of red daruma dolls fill every ledge, step and rock, left by people who prayed for victory, with blazing autumn leaves and a strong social media following.

About

Katsuoji was founded in the 8th century and later became known as the temple of victory, after an emperors illness was cured through its prayers and it was granted a name meaning "king wins" which was changed to "Katsu-o" (win-tail). Ever since, samurai, athletes, students and businesspeople have come to pray for winning luck. The way to do it is to buy a kachi-daruma, paint in one eye when you make your wish and the other when it comes true, then bring it back; the returned daruma now crowd walls, stone lanterns, tree roots and rooftops across the slope, making it one of the most photographed temples in Kansai. The grounds also have a lovely pond, a vermilion bridge, a tahoto pagoda and big maples that turn red in late November, plus hydrangeas in June. It is in the hills above Minoh and usually reached by bus.

Highlights

• Thousands of red kachi-daruma on every surface
• Fill in one eye for your wish, the other when it comes true
• Autumn maples (late November) and hydrangeas (June)
• Hilltop pond, bridge and pagoda in a forest setting

Tips

• Go early on weekdays; tour groups arrive late morning.
• Take the bus from Minoh-Kayano Station (Kita-Osaka Kyuko line extension) or Senri-Chuo; check return times, as buses are infrequent.
• Small daruma for your own wish are sold inside; you can keep it or leave it on the grounds.
• Pair with Minoh Falls the same day by taxi or a long hike.

Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09

Nearby

• Minoh Falls and Minoh ParkNature & Hike · 2.2 km away
• Minoh Park InsectariumZoo & Aquarium · 3.3 km away
• Kyuan-ji TempleTemple · 4.5 km away
• National Museum of Ethnology (Minpaku)Museum · 6.5 km away
• Ikeda Castle Ruins ParkCastle & Palace · 7.1 km away
• Satsukiyama ParkPark · 7.1 km away
• Tower of the SunStatue & Monument · 7.3 km away
• Expo 70 Commemorative ParkPark · 7.5 km away