The Billiken (ビリケン) is one of the symbols of Osaka, although interestingly, it is neither Japanese nor unique to this city. It’s a kind of mischievous elf, created by an American illustrator in the early 20th century. In Japan, it gained special popularity, and you could find images of it in temples or shrines as a good luck charm or even as the “God of Things As They Ought to Be.”
The most famous Billiken arrived in Osaka in 1912 and was placed in the now-defunct “Luna Park.” Currently, there’s a replica from 1980 atop the Tsūtenkaku observation tower.
🗾 Location: 34°40’07.5″N 135°30’08.3″E
Dōtonbori, Osaka, Japan
Photo Taken: April 05, 2024
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