Temple of the Winning Daruma

I recorded this sound in the garden around the Katsuo-ji Temple in Osaka-Minoh. It was a call to attend a service in the temple.

The Katsuo-ji Temple is a stunning spot tucked away in the forested mountains north of Osaka, home to thousands of Daruma dolls and some seriously spectacular natural scenery.

The temple features thousands of Daruma dolls, covering almost every flat surface and hidden away between stones, tree branches and almost every other spot imaginable. These distinctive red dolls are a symbol of good luck. Visitors flock here across Japan to pray for luck in their work, studies, relationships, health and everything in between.