A Trip to trace back Osaka’s history during the middle ages -3 recommended shrines within 3 stations away from Kansai Airport Sta.

Located on the opposite side of Kansai International Airport, ‘Rinku Town’ has popular large commercial complexes such as Rinku Premium Outlet and AEON MALL Rinku Senan. On the other hand, you can enjoy exploring temples and shrines with a long history while seeing landscape frozen in time in neighboring areas which are two or three stations away from the airport. This time, let’s stroll around “Hineno” with ruins related to Kujo Family, one of the Japanese court nobles in the middle ages, and “Kaizuka” which is the oldest temple town in the south of Osaka. We’re going to introduce 3 recommended shrines famous as a national historic site, the origin of a summer festival or a cultural property.

The national historic site maintaining scenery in the middle ages! Japan’s only shrine giving visitors good quality sleep “Hine Shrine”

“Hine Shrine (日根神社)” is one of the national historic sites to keep scenery of Kujo’s garden what it used to be. Although there are various theories, it’s said that its history started around 660 BC. You’re sure to feel its 1,300 years of history just by looking at two Osaka prefecture’s cultural properties: the imposing main hall and Hime Shrine (比売神社). By the way, once upon a time, people believed the myth that sons of the enshrined couple gods had unified Japan, and women dedicated their pillows to the shrine with a wish for having a strong baby like these sons. That’s why Hine Shrine is also well-known as Japan’s only shrine beneficial for good quality sleep. It might be a good idea that you will have someone pray for you here to get relieve your fatigue of travel.

Opening Hours	24 hours
Address	631 Hineno, Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	Take a rapid train on the Nankai Airport line at Rinku Town Station, transfer to Nankai bus at Hineno Station and get it off at Tojo Bus Stop. It takes a minute from there on foot.
URL	https://hine-jinja.jp/

The birthplace of Kishiwada Danjiri Festival! Make a prayer to the deity of matchmaking through red and white charms at “Kishiki Shrine”

Holding Kishiwada Danjiri Shrine every year, “Kishiki Shrine (岸城神社)” is a guardian shrine of Kishiwada castle. It has been cherished by successive castle owners and local people since the castle was renovated. In addition, the shrine is also popular as a spot bringing visitors good luck of love because it was called Chigiri Castle (千亀利城), Chigiri means matchmaking in Japanese). Why not pray for matchmaking by tying red and white charms ‘Chigiri no Ito’? If your wish comes true, a man should have a red one and a woman should do a white one not to break up forever. In the case of a couple, sew charms on their clothes to grow their love more.

Opening Hours	24 hours
Address	11-30 Kishiki, Kishiwada City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	A 7-minute walk from Kaizuka Station which is 2 stations away from Rinku Town Station on the Nankai Airport Express line
URL	https://www.kishikijinja.jp/

Water-filled moats had protected merchants from enemies about 500 years ago is must-see! The guardian shrine of Kaizuka area “Kanda Shrine”

Kaizuka area not only is a temple town but also was a fortified city developed during the middle ages. In the past, the area was surrounded by water-filled moats, which stretched approximately 800 meters from north to south and 550 meters from east to west, in order to prevent the invasion of enemies. In those days, lots of merchants lived in the inland area. Currently, most of the moats like that are filled, but only “Kanda Shrine (感田神社)” has them. The shrine has been worshiped as the guardian shrine of this area since it was built by local people in 1587 and is registered as Kaizuka City’s cultural property. Besides, it’s believed that there is a god of good commerce here. We recommend that you take a walk in the area surrounding Hine shrine with an old town atmosphere after visiting the shrine.

Opening Hours	24 hours
Address	905 Naka, Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture
Access	A 3-minute walk from Kaizuka Station which is 2 stations away from Rinku Town Station on the Nakai Airport Express line
URL	https://www.city.kaizuka.lg.jp/bunkazai/bunkazaidata/bunkazai/kuni_sitei/tourokubunkazai/kandajinja.html