Kozu

Takatsu is a neighborhood located in Chuo Ward, Osaka, and is well known as the setting of the classic rakugo story “Takatsu no Tomi.” The area is home to Takatsu Shrine (Takatsu-no-miya), a historic Shinto shrine, and is within about a 10-minute walk from Minami, one of Osaka’s most famous entertainment districts. Running through the center of Takatsu are the Hanshin Expressway Route 1 Loop Line extending north to south and Sennichimae Street running east to west. There are several theories regarding the origin of the name Takatsu, including references to Naniwa Takatsu, Kōzu (Kōzu), and Kōrito-shō. Takatsu Shrine is said to have originated in 866, when Emperor Seiwa ordered the enshrinement of Emperor Nintoku at Naniwa Takatsu-no-miya. Approximately 700 years later, in 1583, Toyotomi Hideyoshi relocated the sacred object to its current location during the construction of Osaka Castle. The shrine was completely destroyed during the air raids on Osaka in World War II, and the current shrine buildings were reconstructed after the war. Takatsu Shrine is also famous as the stage for classic rakugo stories such as “Takatsu no Tomi,” “Takakura Fox,” and “Emperor Sutoku.” Historically, Takatsu flourished as a cultural center for Osaka merchants, and today regular rakugo performances by disciples of the fifth-generation Katsura Bunshi are held at the Takatsu no Tomitei within the shrine grounds. In spring, the Takatsu Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival is held, with its illuminated night cherry blossoms especially popular among visitors.