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  ON THE TRIP

  An audio guide app that enhances your travel experience

  Similar to a museum audio guide, ON THE TRIP provides on-the-spot audio guidance at shrines, temples, spectacular views, and various sightseeing spots at any travel destination. Download the app and turn your smartphone into your own personal travel guide!

Audio Time Travel is an article that allows you to enjoy your trip to Osaka while listening to a guide. In this article, you can enjoy a portion of the audio guide. You can experience the entire audio on the ON THE TRIP app.

INTRODUCTION

During the Edo Period, merchants from the Senba district of Osaka would put their hands together as they faced Mt. Ikoma each morning, praying for business prosperity.

There are three notable shrines at the foot of Mt. Ikoma. Hiraoka Shrine is known for predicting good harvests for the year, while Hyotanyama Inari Shrine is famous for a kind of fortune-telling called “tsujiura.” The Ishikiri Tsurugiya Shrine, affectionately called “Ishikiri-san,” has been worshiped as a god of healing. Many fortune-telling shops line the approach to this shrine, adding to the mystique of the area.

Let’s explore the town to uncover the mystery behind the unique character of Mt. Ikoma and why it’s associated with faith and fortune-telling.

★Before Visiting the Three Shrines in Higashi Osaka City

Let’s focus on praying with the proper etiquette.

First, let’s review the etiquette for the “temizuya” (purification fountain): 1. Hold the ladle in your right hand. 2. Scoop up a cup of water and rinse your left hand. 3. Switch hands and rinse your right hand. 4. Switch back to your left hand, scoop up some water, and rinse your mouth. 5. Rinse your left hand again. 6. Finally, hold the ladle vertically to purify the handle. It’s recommended to use a full cup of water to complete this purification process.

Next, let’s discuss the etiquette for praying: 1. Bend your waist at a 90-degree angle and bow twice. 2. Clap your hands twice and pray with your hands together. 3. Some people say, “The palm of your hand is the bell of the heart that everyone has, and the most beautiful sound is gratitude.” 4. Once you finish praying, bow deeply once more before leaving the area.

It might be challenging to perform these actions perfectly at first. If you’d like, take a moment to observe others with graceful manners and learn from them.