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  ON THE TRIP

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  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!

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 with the ON THE TRIP app.

B-1 | Hiraoka Shrine's Worship Hall (Approach to the Shrine Plaza)

As you pass through the second torii gate and stroll along the wide approach, you’ll reach the shrine plaza. There, you'll find a special type of sacred “shimenawa” rope called “agemaki musubi” tied in the plaza. The main deity of Hiraoka Shrine is Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto, a god who oversees religious ceremonies and is closely connected to the myths involving the shimenawa rope.

In honor of this deity, Hiraoka Shrine hosts a festival called “Shimekake Shinji” every December, during which the shimenawa is replaced with a new one. This ritual is also known as the “Owarai Shinto Ritual.” At the beginning of the ritual, the chief priest laughs heartily, exclaiming “Ah-ha-ha,” and the worshippers join in. This laughing ritual continues for 20 minutes, as participants each laugh in their own way. People from all over the country come to this event to laugh away the misfortunes of the year and attract good fortune.

This ritual has deep ancient roots, celebrating the joy of Amaterasu Omikami as she emerged from a cave, brought to light by the rituals of Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto and the laughter of the gods. This pivotal moment restored light to a world once shrouded in darkness. For this reason, Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto is revered as the first deity in Japan to perform rituals and guide ceremonial practices.

B-2 | Hiraoka Shrine, Main Hall

This land has been blessed with abundant water sources since ancient times, making it a significant place for Osaka and Kawachi Province. Clouds cover Mt. Ikoma, bringing rain that nourishes the land and fertilizes the fields. Farmers referred to Hiraoka Shrine as “the residence of the gods.”

Amenokoyane-no-Mikoto, the main deity, was instrumental in opening the Heavenly Rock Cave. He was then given the role of "Protector of the Imperial Family" by Amaterasu Omikami. A branch of this deity was later enshrined at the founding of Kasuga Taisha, known as "Moto-Kasuga," which serves as the protector of the capital of Japan.

From the shrine grounds, visitors can enjoy a view of the Osaka Plain. Nara lies to the east of Hiraoka Shrine, with Ise even further away. As you take in this beautiful scenery, I hope you feel a connection to the world of mythology.

B-3 | Hiraoka Shrine - Izumo Well (Okamaden)

You’ll find Izumo Well on the right of the worship hall. This water has been used for the “Kayura Shinto Ritual,” a divination ceremony that dates back to the Muromachi Period. Held every January, the Kayura Shinto Ritual predicts the year’s weather and the good or bad harvest of 53 types of crops, including rice, wheat, and soybeans.

During the ritual, red bean porridge is boiled in a large cauldron and 12 pieces of wood are placed in the fire of the hearth. The degree to which the wood is burned predicts the rain and sunlight for each month. Fifty-three bamboo stalks are then bundled together in the porridge, and the amount of porridge in the bamboo tube after cooking is used to forecast the harvest quality of the crops.

Water seems to act as a sensor that can predict the future and warn of natural disasters.

At a temple in Osaka, a well that had been dry for a long time suddenly overflowed with water. The next day, a major earthquake occurred. The amount of well water increased and its color changed.

Hiraoka Shrine, with its abundant water supply, may have served as a suitable location for Kawachi Province to “receive messages from the gods.”

This guide was created based on documents and interviews and includes some interpretation done by us at ON THE TRIP. Theories differ between experts, so try to find out what really happened on your travels!

*The information listed is current as of February 2025. Please check the website of each store or facility for the latest opening hours.