Japan Cruise Day 3 – Osaka’s Namba Yasaka Jinja
Siva McAteer • August 13, 2025
The Lion That Eats Bad Luck 🦁✨
They say this lion can swallow your bad luck… so naturally, we had to see it for ourselves!
It’s Day 3 of our 12-Day Celebrity Millennium Cruise, and before we even stepped off the ship, Osaka had me impressed — and yes, I’m talking about the port restrooms. These high-tech toilets come with a bidet, “privacy” music buttons, and more controls than some cruise ship cabins. I’m just saying… if Celebrity installed these in the staterooms, I’d never leave. 🚽🎶
After a quick Uber ride from the port (from cruise ship to shrine in no time!), we arrived at Namba Yasaka Jinja, one of Osaka’s most fascinating hidden gems. This small Shinto shrine is famous for its enormous lion’s head stage, a striking performance platform believed to gobble up misfortune and bring good luck to visitors.
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The shrine itself is tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, making it feel like a peaceful escape from the city buzz. You only need about 10–15 minutes here, so it’s an easy add-on if you’re already exploring the area. For us, it was the perfect prelude to our Dotonbori adventure — it’s only about a 15-minute walk from there, but we opted for a quick 4-minute drive while our driver waited (because when you’re on vacation, convenience wins!).
If you’re cruising into Osaka, this is a must-see stop — a mix of tradition, local charm, and just the right amount of quirky.
📍 Namba Yasaka Jinja
2 Chome-9-19 Motomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, 556-0016, Japan
Next up: Dotonbori — A Foodie Lover’s Paradise 🍜🍢🍣 Stay tuned, you’re not going to want to miss it!
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