Shrine · Sakai
Otori Taisha 大鳥大社
The ancient first shrine of Izumi Province in Sakai, set in a dense forest and built in the archaic Otori-zukuri style, honouring the hero Yamato Takeru, said to have flown here as a white bird.
About
Otori Taisha is one of the oldest shrine sites in the Osaka area and the ichinomiya (highest-ranked shrine) of old Izumi Province. Legend says that after the hero Yamato Takeru died, his soul became a white bird that flew west and alighted here. The main hall, rebuilt in 1909, follows the Otori-zukuri style, one of the earliest types of shrine architecture alongside Izumo and Sumiyoshi, with straight lines and a plain cypress-bark roof. The precinct is surrounded by a 50,000-square-metre forest called Chigusa no Mori, with ancient camphor trees and a garden of plants from the Manyoshu poetry anthology. Few overseas visitors come, so it is a peaceful contrast to the busy shrines of central Osaka and a good add-on to the nearby Mozu kofun.
Highlights
- Archaic Otori-zukuri main hall, a rare early shrine style
- Chigusa no Mori forest of camphor and Manyoshu plants
- White-bird legend of Yamato Takeru
- Uncrowded and peaceful
Tips
- Pair with Daisen Kofun and the Sakai City Museum, 15 minutes away by JR Hanwa Line.
- Early summer brings iris and hydrangea in the garden.
- Ask for the white-bird goshuin at the office.
Open in Google Maps · Info checked 2026-10-09
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Open in the appNearby
- Original Hamadera-koen Station BuildingPhoto Spot · 1.6 km away
- Hamadera ParkPark · 1.8 km away
- Daisen Park Japanese GardenGarden · 3.1 km away
- Daisen ParkPark · 3.1 km away
- Sakai City MuseumMuseum · 3.3 km away
- Mozu HachimanguShrine · 3.7 km away
- Daisen Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku)Landmark & Tower · 3.9 km away
- Sakai Plaza of Rikyu and AkikoMuseum · 4.4 km away