Gagaku and bugaku associated with Prince Shōtoku, passed down on the stone stage
Bugaku at the Shoryoe
Festival information
EVENT INFORMATION- Season / frequency
- Every year on April 22 / Every year
- Location
- Shitennoji’s Rokkido Hall and stone stage
- Area
- Osaka Prefecture・Osaka City(From Tokyo: approx. 2 h 30 min–3 h · bullet train)Prefecture-level estimate to a main station or airport, not the venue. Airport access, check-in and onward travel are extra; remote areas and islands can take much longer.
- Features
- Highlights and activities
- Wishes behind the festival
- Participation / viewing
- Spectators welcome
- Participation fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 2026/10/19
An important Shitennoji tradition that brings together a service in memory of Prince Shōtoku and in a traditional style. Bugaku in splendid costumes is offered on the stone stage in front of Rokkido Hall.
About Bugaku at the Shoryoe
Bugaku at the Shoryoe is a Buddhist observance at Shitennoji, where the spirit of Prince Shōtoku is enshrined on the anniversary of his death.
Chanting services and bugaku come together to preserve the form of bugaku services from the imperial court period.
On the stone stage in front of Rokkido Hall, bugaku in a traditional style is offered, and the event has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan.
This event offers a chance to experience Osaka’s history and culture, passed down at Shitennoji.
Source: 国指定文化財等データベース / 行事日程 - 和宗総本山 四天王寺
Festival highlights
The highlight is the gagaku and bugaku performed on the stone stage in front of Rokkido Hall.
Giant red-paper flowers resembling spider lilies decorate the four corners of the stage, where pieces such as “Enbu,” “Soriko,” “Bosatsu,” “Shishi,” “Karōbin,” and “Kocho” are performed.
The splendid costumes, which preserve music and dance brought from foreign lands, are another distinctive feature. Visitors can experience both the setting of an ancient Buddhist service and the performing arts.
Gagaku and bugaku associated with Prince Shōtoku, passed down on the stone stage
What to expect
The service includes a chanting service led by the Shitennoji temple clergy and bugaku performed by the Tennoji Gakuso ensemble.
The Buddha’s relics and an image of Prince Shōtoku are brought to Rokkido Hall. While a Buddhist service is held to comfort the spirit, gagaku and bugaku are performed as offerings on the stone stage.
It is currently scheduled from early afternoon to evening, and some information says that 10 bugaku pieces are performed.
Visitors can watch the Buddhist service and the performances offered on the stage.
Source: ここまで知らなかった！なにわ大坂をつくった100人＝足跡を訪ねて＝｜関西・大阪21世紀協会 / 天王寺楽所 年中行事
How to take part
Visitors can watch the event.
参加費：無料
Location and access
- Venue and address
Shitennoji’s Rokkido Hall and stone stage (1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka)
- Train and bus
It is about a 7-minute walk from Shitennoji-mae Yuhigaoka Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line.
Address 1-11-18 Shitennoji, Tennoji-ku, Osaka
Dates and season
The Shoryoe is held every year on April 22.
The Shitennoji Temple guide lists it as an event starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Rokkido Hall and Ishibutai stage.
The Tennoji Gakusho guide says that 10 bugaku pieces are performed from 1 p.m., so the listed start time differs depending on the source.
Please check the start time for the day before visiting.
Accommodation and hotels PR
Showing nearby accommodation.
Prices and availability are current at the time of retrieval. For multi-night stays, only the first night’s price is shown. Confirm the final price and directions to the venue with the booking provider. Select your dates again when using the area search link. Search area: within 3 km of Central Osaka Prefecture / Osaka City (the search is not centered on the festival venue)
Tips for your visit
As the bugaku is performed on the stone stage, this event is best experienced as an occasion to quietly watch the Buddhist service and the performances dedicated to the temple.
To watch explanations of the performances and other content via the stream, you will need a smartphone or tablet and earphones.
Please note that watching the stream may incur data charges.
Check the detailed viewing arrangements at the venue and the day’s operating conditions before visiting.
Nearby attractions
難波八阪神社
大阪市にある神社
ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ジャパン
日本の大阪府大阪市此花区にあるテーマパーク
Sumiyoshi Taisha
大阪市住吉区の神社
国立国際美術館
大阪市北区中之島にある美術館
坐摩神社
大阪市中央区の神社
大阪ビジネスパーク
大阪市中央区にある超高層ビル群
大阪城公園
大阪市の公園
大阪天満宮
大阪市北区にある神社
大阪市立東洋陶磁美術館
大阪市北区中之島にある美術館
大阪市立科学館
大阪市北区中之島にある科学館
大阪市立美術館
大阪市天王寺区にある美術館
大阪歴史博物館
大阪府大阪市中央区にある博物館
Origins and History of Bugaku at the Shoryoe
The Shoryoe has been passed down as a Buddhist observance held in memory of Prince Shōtoku on the anniversary of his death, to enshrine his spirit.
It preserves the form of bugaku services from the imperial court period, and Shitennoji has a tradition of bugaku that was counted among the three gakusho ensembles.
Even after the gakusho ensembles were consolidated into the Music Department of the Imperial Household Agency in the early Meiji period, Shitennoji preserved this tradition.
The current date is April 22 on the Gregorian calendar.
Official information
The event schedule is available in the official information from Washū Sohonzan Shitennoji.
The official information includes the time and location of the Shoryoe, an overview of the Buddhist service, information on free viewing, and details of the day’s live stream.
Bugaku at the Shoryoe at a Glance
Bugaku at the Shoryoe is a traditional event combining a service in memory of Prince Shōtoku with the gagaku and bugaku passed down at Shitennoji.
A major highlight is the sight of red-paper flowers resembling spider lilies decorating the stone stage in front of Rokkido Hall, where several bugaku pieces are offered.
It is held every year on April 22, and the bugaku can be viewed free of charge.
Japanese Festivals.jp Editorial Team
Celebrating local culture and helping you discover a side of Japan you never knew.
Article updated: 2026/10/19
Submit information or a correction Submit photos of this festival
