Katsuo-ji temple experience

Katsuo-ji temple, aka the Daruma temple near the Mino-o / Minoh area.

Before my trip when I was looking for places to go to, this place popped up in many social media posts as a 'must-go' place. So I went, and I've never seen such a commercialised temple.

To get there, there is a direct bus from the Minoh Kayano station for 800 yen, entry to the temple is 500 yen, bus back down for 800 yen. In total, that is over $16 in my local currency, a little too much in my opinion, I would walk but as a petite solo female traveller, I decided not to just to be safe.

There is a huge shop at the entrance, with snacks and souvenirs which I didn't explore much.

Upon entry, you get a postcard, where there is a route around the grounds to collect different layers of stamp to complete the final stamp, which does look really nice.

After the first stamp station, there is a flight of stairs with all the darumas of different sizes stacked on top of each other, if you have seen anyone post a pic at this temple, it is this spot. There is a designated queue for photo ops with maybe around 5-6 or more (?) stations for visitors, it's the busiest area.

There was 2 staff standing by but they don't usher the crowd, I think they're just there to make sure no one is causing damage. So you just kind of find a station to squeeze into and wait to take a photo, but I have to admit, the photos look great.

The remaining temple grounds is still nice, much less crowded, with cute little darumas everywhere purchased and left by other visitors.

+ Bonus: Mino-o / Minoh Park and Minoh Falls, so peaceful, mostly locals, I loveeed it!