u/Osaka_love

Found this awesome bronze monument of Erdrick's Sword, Shield, and a Slime in a town park!

It's an official Square Enix-approved monument, built in Sumoto City on Awaji Island—the birthplace of Dragon Quest creator Yuji Horii. The details and craftsmanship on the sword and shield are incredible in person.

It might be a bit of a journey if you're coming all the way from Tokyo, but it makes a perfect day trip if you're staying in Osaka or Kobe!

Katsuo-ji Temple in Minoh, Osaka, is famous for the vermilion "Katsu-un Daruma" (Victory Luck Daruma) dolls lined up all over the temple grounds.

These seemingly countless small Daruma dolls aren't just decorations; each one was placed there by a visitor who made a wish in their heart.

You can buy these small Daruma dolls (known as "Daruma Omikuji") at the temple, make a wish on the spot, and leave them wherever you like on the grounds. Of course, you are also welcome to take them home as a memento or an amulet!

Then there are the larger "Me-ire Daruma" (Daruma for filling in the eyes); you take these home, fill in one eye yourself, and then fill in the other to express gratitude once your wish has successfully come true.

It feels truly mystical and deeply moving to think that every single one of these Daruma dolls holds someone's "dream" or "wish." That’s why the number of dolls gathered here changes depending on the season. The sight of so many dreams and wishes gathered in one place is incredibly powerful. Have you been to Katsuo-ji to make a wish? 👀 May everyone's wishes come true! 🙏