A shrine forest in the business district
Just north of Esaka's office towers, the shrine keeps its grove. The main hall is thought to date from the late 17th century and is a city-designated cultural property.
SUITA SHRINES · ESAKA SHRINE (SUSANOO-NO-MIKOTO JINJA)
Esaka Shrine (Susanoo-no-Mikoto Jinja)
The guardian shrine of business-district Esaka, where an Edo-period hall and an 1853 drum palanquin are still part of the festival.
The torii and grounds · Photo 2024 · Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert (CC BY 4.0)
Esaka Shrine, formally Susanoo-no-Mikoto Jinja, is in Esaka-cho, Suita, about 500 m north of the 'Kominkan-mae' bus stop. Its one-bay main hall, estimated late 17th century, is a city-designated cultural property. A drum palanquin made in 1853, a registered city cultural property, is paraded through town and the grounds at the October 15 festival.
- Deity
- Susanoo (with Amaterasu and Homutawake)
- Main hall
- One-bay nagare style, city-designated cultural property (est. late 17th century)
- Nearest station
- About 1.1 km (straight line) from Esaka Station / 500 m north of the 'Kominkan-mae' bus stop (official)
- Parking
- About 10 spaces west of the shrine office (official)
01 — HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights
The guardian shrine of business-district Esaka, where an Edo-period hall and an 1853 drum palanquin are still in use.
A drum palanquin from 1853
An ink inscription dates this taiko mikoshi to 1853; its carvings are by the Komatsu workshop of Osaka carvers. At the Oct 15 festival it tours the town by day and is hoisted and paraded in the grounds at night.
Kagura from Okayama
At the Susanoo Festival on the first Sunday of April, the Kinoyama troupe from Takahashi, Okayama performs Bitchu kagura (a festival started in 2005).
Setsubun bonfire
On Setsubun night, prayer sticks for warding off bad luck are read out one by one and burned, with a boiling-water kagura.
02 — HISTORY
History: legend and record, side by side
Tradition (legend), written records and expert estimates are labelled separately.
Spirit received from Kyoto Tradition
Tradition says the deity was invited from Kanshin-in (Yasaka Shrine) in Kyoto (per a 1952 record; the shrine says it is unconfirmed).
Moved here Tradition
Said to have moved to its present site in this year.
Stone torii Record
A stone torii inscribed 1683 still stands.
Worship hall Record
The worship hall is recorded as built.
Taiko mikoshi Record
The drum palanquin was made, dated by an inscription.
Susanoo Festival Record
A new festival inviting Bitchu kagura began.
Palanquin listed Record
The drum palanquin and its rite were registered as city cultural properties.
Main hall designated Estimate
The main hall, estimated late 17th century, became a city-designated cultural property.
03 — FESTIVALS
Festivals & annual events
| Tondo bonfire | Jan 15, 9:00–15:00 |
|---|---|
| Setsubun | Feb 3, from 19:00 |
| Susanoo Festival (Bitchu kagura) | 1st Sunday of April, 13:00 |
| Spring festival | May 14 (eve) & 15 |
| Summer purification | Jun 30, 9:00 |
| Autumn festival | Oct 14 (eve) & 15 (taiko mikoshi) |
Dates follow the shrine's published calendar. Check each year's notice for times and details.
04 — HOW TO VISIT
How to pray at a Shinto shrine
- 1
Bow at the torii
The torii gate marks the sacred area. Give a small bow before passing through, and walk to one side of the path rather than down the middle.
- 2
Purify at the water basin
If there is a temizuya, rinse your left hand, then right, rinse your mouth with water poured into your left hand, then rinse the ladle handle.
- 3
Two bows, two claps, one bow
Drop a coin in the offering box, ring the bell if there is one, bow deeply twice, clap twice, make your wish, then bow once more.
- 4
Photos and quiet
Photography in the grounds is generally fine; avoid shooting inside the halls or during ceremonies. The shrine sits in a residential area, so keep voices low.
05 — ACCESS
Access & basics
| Address | 3-68-11 Esaka-cho, Suita |
|---|---|
| Phone | 06-6384-8434 |
| Official site | esakajinja.or.jp ↗ |
Official directions: 500 m north of the Hankyu Bus 'Kominkan-mae' stop. By taxi, ask for the north torii (Ryokuchi Park side). Please avoid driving on festival days.
06 — PHOTOS
Photos
Free-licensed photos from Wikimedia Commons, shown with the year taken. Older photos may differ from today.
FAQ
FAQ
When is the autumn festival?
Oct 14 (eve) and 15. On the 15th the drum palanquin and children's palanquin tour the town by day and are paraded in the grounds at night (official).
Is there parking?
About 10 spaces west of the shrine office; please avoid driving on festival days (official).
What is the official name?
Susanoo-no-Mikoto Jinja; it is known as Esaka Shrine after the neighbourhood.
Sources
Written independently from the shrine's official site, Suita City and the Osaka Jinja-cho.
Checked: 2026-10-25