20 Temples in Aichi worth your time

A Rinzai school temple founded in 1350, serving as a key stop on the Chita Shikoku and Saigoku pilgrimages.

What it is

• A Rinzai school temple founded in 1350 by Isshiki Norimitsu.
• The founding priest was the famous Zen master Muso Soseki.
• The 72nd stop on the Chita Shikoku Pilgrimage and 19th on the Chita Saigoku Pilgrimage.
• The temple grounds serve as the burial site for founder Isshiki Norimitsu.

What to see

• The Kannon-do is the oldest building remaining in the Okada district.
• The current main hall was completed in 2006 to replace the 1660 structure.
• A traditional mountain gate stands at the entrance to the temple grounds.
• The Daishi-do building is dedicated to the founder of Shingon Buddhism.

When to go

• Three festival floats gather before the temple during the Okada Spring Festival.

Read more about Jiun-ji Temple

A historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Kariya featuring a massive ancient camphor tree and rare Edo-period Buddhist scrolls.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple located in Kariya City.
• Originally founded as a Tendai sect temple before converting to Jodo Shinshu.
• Converted by Abbot Keinenbo under the influence of the priest Rennyo.

What to see

• A city-designated natural monument camphor tree with a 6.4-meter trunk circumference.
• A complete six-volume set of the Ojo Yoshu religious text.
• The Mino Province Blacksmith Genealogy, a designated prefectural cultural property.
• An intricate hell picture scroll dating back to the Edo period.

Getting there

• Located within walking distance from Meitetsu Kariyashi Station.
• Situated directly to the east of Choen-ji and Kaikai-ji temples.

Read more about Senkou-ji Temple (Kariya)

A Jodo Shu temple in Nagoya featuring one of the city's three great Buddha statues and a heart-shaped pond.

What it is

• A Jodo Shu temple founded in 1739 by Kondo Bube
• Home to one of the three great Buddha statues of Nagoya
• The site includes a certified childcare center called Takakura Kindergarten
• Dedicated to the seated Amida Nyorai deity

What to see

• A seated Amida Nyorai statue measuring over two meters tall
• A pond designed in the shape of the kanji character for heart
• A memorial stone dedicated to the victims of the 1891 Nobi earthquake
• A statue of Seishi Bosatsu serving as a Chinese zodiac guardian
• Main statue crafted by the Kyoto sculptor Yamamoto Mosuke

Getting there

• Located a three-minute walk from Nishi Takakura Station

Read more about Unshin-ji Temple

A historic temple in Nishio housing the grave of Imagawa Yoshimoto and ancient Kannon statues dating to the Heian period.

What it is

• A Jodo Shu Seizan Fukusa school temple located in Nishio City.
• Founded by Ennin during the Jogan era as a Tendai sect temple.
• Converted to Jodo Shu by Koyu Etoku during the Meio era.
• Site of a grave mound and memorial for the warlord Imagawa Yoshimoto.

What to see

• A stone pagoda serving as a memorial to Imagawa Yoshimoto.
• Thirty-three Kannon stone statues located in the eastern mountains.
• A large Kannon statue standing at the mountain summit.
• A city-designated standing statue of Kannon Bodhisattva from the late Heian period.

When to go

• Visit in April when the historic Kannon statue is publicly displayed.

Read more about Tōkō-ji Temple

A historic Jodo Shinshu temple in Tsushima known for its unique millstone path and a cultural property wooden statue.

What it is

• A temple of the Otani school of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism also known as Tsushima Gobo.
• The temple converted from the Tendai sect to Jodo Shinshu in 1391.
• It historically served as a venue for land surveys and tax collection.
• The main image of worship is a statue of Amida Nyorai.

What to see

• An approach road paved with historic stone millstones leading to the grounds.
• A large white plum tree standing beside the mountain gate.
• A wooden statue of Yakushi Nyorai carved by Mokujiki Myoman.
• Large pine and cherry trees located throughout the temple grounds.
• The Yakushi Nyorai statue which is a city-designated cultural property.

Read more about Jōshin-bō Temple

A historic Nagoya temple marking the birthplace of Minamoto no Yoritomo, featuring a reconstructed birth well and modern main hall.

What it is

• A Seizan Jodo sect temple located on the former villa site of the Fujiwara clan
• Founded in 1529 by Zenkou Shonin with the support of Oda Nobuhide
• The reported birthplace of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate
• Reconstructed by Toyotomi Hideyori after a fire destroyed the original structures in 1600

What to see

• A stone monument marking the specific site where Minamoto no Yoritomo was born
• A reconstructed well used for the first bath of the infant Yoritomo
• The modern concrete main hall built after the original was destroyed in 1945
• Temple gates and halls decorated with the hollyhock crest

Read more about Seigan-ji Temple

A historic Shinshu Buddhist temple in Toyota City featuring registered cultural properties and a resilient architectural history.

What it is

• A temple of the Otani school of Shinshu Buddhism enshrining Amida Nyorai.
• Founded in 1296 as a Tendai sect site by the priest Soncho.
• Converted to Jodo Shinshu in 1504 and features a main hall completed in 1898.

What to see

• The main hall, kitchen, and drawing room are Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.
• A mountain gate rebuilt in 2013 after a tornado destroyed the original structure.
• The bell tower which was reconstructed in 1960 following a typhoon.
• A black pine on the grounds designated as a famous tree.

Getting there

• Located a nine-minute walk from Meitetsu Wakabayashi Station.

Read more about Jōshō-ji Temple

A historic Buddhist temple in Agui featuring a registered cultural property main hall and a statue of young Shinran Shonin.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha Buddhist temple originally founded as Renchi-bo in 1141
• The temple converted to the Jodo Shinshu sect in 1502
• The current name was adopted in 1624
• A nursery school has operated on the temple grounds since 1953

What to see

• The main hall completed in 1811 is a registered tangible cultural property
• The mountain gate rebuilt in 1896 is a registered tangible cultural property
• A statue of young Shinran Shonin stands on the temple grounds

Getting there

• It is a five-minute walk from Meitetsu Uedai Station
• The temple provides parking spaces for approximately 20 cars

Read more about Renkei-ji Temple (Agui)

A historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Inuyama featuring Edo-period architecture and a rare Enku Buddha statue.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple also known by the mountain name Jokakusan.
• The main object of worship is the deity Amida Nyorai.
• Five structures on the grounds were registered as tangible cultural properties in 2012.

What to see

• The main hall which was completed during the early Edo period.
• A mountain gate built in 1937 by the architect Ito Heizaemon.
• A bell tower dating back to the mid-Edo period.
• The kitchen building which was originally a merchant house in Inuyama.
• An Enku Buddha statue of Amida Nyorai designated as a city cultural property.
• The monk's dormitory dating back to the mid-Meiji period.

Read more about Enmyo-ji Temple (Inuyama)

A historic Soto Zen temple in Nagoya's Osu district featuring a wooden Kannon deity and ties to the Oda clan.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded in 1534 by Yasui Takusaemon.
• The temple is dedicated to a wooden Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva.
• It was established by the priest Daiun Eizui, uncle of Oda Nobuhide.
• The temple moved to its current Osu location during the Kiyosu-goshi relocation.

What to see

• The main hall housing the primary deity and religious artifacts.
• A traditional Hokyointo pagoda located within the temple grounds.
• The Dakiniten hall which was added to the site in 1878.
• A stone monument dedicated to the memory of Nakamura Shohei.
• Uramonzen Park situated directly on the west side of the temple.

Read more about Bannen-ji Temple

A historic Shinshu Otani-ha temple in Okazaki featuring registered cultural property buildings and architecture from the 19th and 20th centuries.

What it is

• A Shinshu Otani-ha temple originally founded in 980 as a Tendai sect site
• The temple converted to Jodo Shinshu in 1468 and moved here in 1601
• The main hall and gate are Registered Tangible Cultural Properties
• The site serves as an Okazaki City Landscape Importance Building

What to see

• The current main hall which was rebuilt in 1913
• A temple gate dating back to 1827
• Architecture restored during a major project from 2019 to 2020
• The nearby Inamae Shrine located in the immediate vicinity

Getting there

• A 15-minute walk from the Doi bus stop

Read more about Honko-ji Temple

A historic Soto Zen temple in Nagoya featuring a relocated 18th-century hall and a rare porcelain prohibition stone.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple founded around 1501 by Shibata Katsushige.
• A direct branch temple of the famous Daihonzan Eihei-ji.
• The temple enshrines Sho-kanzeon Bosatsu as its main deity.
• Part of the Tokai 49 Yakushi Pilgrimage circuit.

What to see

• The Yakushi-do hall which was moved to this site in 1735.
• A main hall rebuilt with reinforced concrete in 1980.
• A stone statue of Yakushi Ruriko Nyorai on the grounds.
• A porcelain prohibition stone donated by the Kato family.

When to go

• The Great Prajna Prayer Meeting held every January 24th.

Read more about Ryugezan Zinzō-ji Temple

A historic Jodo-shu temple in Tsushima featuring a registered Sukiya-style Shoin and ancient stone pagodas from the 16th century.

What it is

• A Jodo-shu Seizan Zenrinji-ha temple founded by Kiso Genetsu during the Tenbun era
• The fourth station of the Owari Twenty-five Pilgrimage dedicated to Amida Nyorai
• A religious site also known by the mountain name Hiryuzan

What to see

• The Hosen-ji Shoin, a Registered Tangible Cultural Property with Sukiya-style design
• A modern main hall completed in April 2022
• Two stone pagodas dating back to the 16th century
• A bell tower originally constructed on the grounds in 1911
• A traditional tea room located within the donated Hattori family residence building

Read more about Hosen-ji Temple

A historic Soto Zen temple in Nagoya featuring a famous red gate and monthly festivals dedicated to Shakyamuni Buddha.

What it is

• A Soto Zen temple dedicated to the Shakyamuni Buddha.
• Founded in 1603 by Matsudaira Tadayoshi in the town of Kiyosu.
• Relocated to its current site in the Osu district in 1610.
• Rebuilt with a concrete main hall in 2003 following wartime destruction.

What to see

• The Myoo-den hall which dates back to 1808.
• A prominent red gate that gives the local Akamon-dori street its name.
• The modern main hall completed at the start of the twenty-first century.

When to go

• A temple festival is held on the 28th of every month.

Read more about Daikō-in Temple

Explore ancient temple foundations and artifacts at this nationally designated historic site.

What it is

• A temple ruin established in the Asuka period.
• Designated as a national historic site.
• Located on the southeastern edge of the Hekikai Plateau.
• Opened as a historic site park in 1979.

What to see

• Foundations of a pagoda, main hall, and lecture hall.
• Temple site measures 126.5m east-west, 140m north-south.
• Main hall foundation is 15.3m east-west, 13.2m north-south.
• Lecture hall foundation is 30.15m east-west, 16.25m north-south.
• Excavated roof tiles, tile pagodas, and bronze ornaments.
• Artifacts are housed at the Okazaki City Museum of Art.

Read more about Kitano temple ruins

Kyoseiin is a modern Shingon temple housing over 600 statues, including secret Buddhas, on the Chita Peninsula.

What it is

• A Koyasan Shingon sect temple.
• Established in 1994.
• Main deity is Enmei Jizo Bosatsu.
• Only Koyasan Shingon branch temple in Chita Peninsula.

What to see

• Over 600 Buddhist statues in the main hall.
• Two Daikokuten statues designated as secret Buddhas.
• Enmei Jizo Bosatsu, carved in 1625.
• A mountain gate of the Yakuomon style.

When to go

• December 7th to see the two secret Daikokuten statues.

Getting there

• 15-minute walk from Noma Station.
• Noma Station is on the Meitetsu Chita New Line.

Address

愛知県知多郡美浜町野間前川95-4 Map

Read more about Kyōsei-in Temple

Jigen-ji Temple is a historic Obaku Zen temple with unique architecture and important statues.

What it is

• Obaku sect temple, founded in 1672.
• Main deity is the Eleven-faced Kannon Bodhisattva.
• Rebuilt in its current location in 1709.
• Founded by Etsuden Dofu.

What to see

• Unique temple gate, characteristic of the Obaku sect.
• Wooden seated statue of Etsuden Dofu.
• Colored paper image of Etsuden Dofu.
• Wooden seated statue of Sho Kannon Bodhisattva.
• Plaque written by Mokuan, second head of Manpuku-ji.
• Bell tower gate and an Inari shrine on the grounds.

Getting there

• 17-minute walk from JR Kachigawa Station.

Read more about Jigen-ji Temple

A Jodo sect Buddhist temple in Nagoya enshrining a branch deity from the famous Zenko-ji in Nagano.

What it is

• A Buddhist temple belonging to the Jodo sect located in Nagoya City.
• The temple enshrines a branch deity from the original Zenko-ji in Nagano.
• It was officially renamed Zenko-ji in 1923 and moved to its current site in 1952.
• The site is a member of the Nagoya Sankobo pilgrimage group.

What to see

• The Taiando ceremony hall located within the temple grounds.
• The Kobo-do hall which enshrines the Michibiki Daishi statue.

Getting there

• The temple is a seven-minute walk from Tsukiguchi Station.

Read more about Zenkō-ji Temple

A Jodo sect temple in Nagoya known for its moss, dedicated to the mother of a Tokugawa lord.

What it is

• A Jodo sect temple in Nagoya City known as the Moss Temple of Tokai.
• Founded in 1637 by Tokugawa Mitsutomo to honor his mother.
• The temple enshrines Amida Nyorai as its main deity.
• Originally located in Edo before moving to its current site in 1661.

What to see

• A new main hall that was completed in 2015.
• The Meisho-den building which was relocated from Kenchu-ji Temple.
• A gate featuring calligraphy of the mountain name written by Tokugawa Mitsutomo.
• Extensive moss gardens that give the temple its local nickname.

Read more about Daishin-ji Temple

Nagoya's Catholic cathedral, a Gothic landmark with impressive spires and stained glass.

What it is

• A Catholic church in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
• The cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Nagoya.
• Dedicated on March 21, 1962.
• Patron saints are Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

What to see

• Gothic style architecture.
• Stained glass from Germany and Italy.
• Two spires 50 meters high.
• Steel-framed reinforced concrete structure.
• Designated a Nagoya City Urban Landscape Important Building.
• Registered as a National Tangible Cultural Property.

Getting there

• About a 6-minute walk from Shinsakae-machi Station.

Official site

nunoike-nagoya-diocese.org

Read more about Nunoike Church