Best Shrine and Temple in Nagoya

18/11/2024

Contents

Atsuta Shrine

Atsuta Shrine is the largest shrine in Nagoya City and enshrines the legendary sword, Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi. During the New Year’s season, a large number of people visit, leading to heavy crowds, so it’s best to avoid it at that time. On other occasions, while there are still many visitors, it’s manageable.The shrine grounds are vast, with well-preserved trees that create a beautiful setting. It’s an ideal place for a walk.

Toyokuni Shrine

Toyokuni Shrine, established in 1885, enshrines Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a feudal lord from Nagoya who unified Japan in the 1580s. It is believed that this shrine is located on the exact site where Toyotomi Hideyoshi was born. Although it is a shrine built in modern times, it is loved by the locals. The approach to the shrine is impressive and is known for its massive tori gate.

Miwa Shrine

Miwa Shrine is located in the Osu Shopping Street, a popular tourist spot in Nagoya that feels like a mix between Asakusa and Akihabara. The area attracts many visitors, including those from overseas. Historically, it has been a neighborhood with many temples and shrines. Miwa Shrine is known for bringing good luck in relationships, making it a popular destination for many Japanese visitors.

Nagoya Toshogu

Nagoya Tosho-gu Shrine is dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It is also a hidden gem for cherry blossom viewing.

Osu Kannon

Osu Kannon is a temple located in the Osu Shopping Street area and is one of Nagoya’s iconic tourist spots. The shopping street is filled with unique and interesting shops, so it’s worth visiting while taking a stroll around the area.

Higashi Betsuin temple

Higashi Betsuin is a temple of the Jodo Shinshu Otani sect. Although it is an impressive temple, most of the original structure was destroyed during air raids, so the current buildings were rebuilt after the war. Higashi Betsuin hosts a market on the 8th, 18th, and 28th of every month, offering a wide variety of items. It’s enjoyable just to browse and see what’s available.

Yagoto Koshoji temple

Koshoji Temple in Yagoto is a Shingon-sect temple, just a 5-minute walk from Yagoto Station. The temple grounds are spacious and perfect for a stroll. Many of the buildings on-site are of significant historical value. On weekdays, it’s usually quiet with few visitors, making it an ideal spot for those who prefer a peaceful walk.

Toganji Temple

Toganji Temple is known for its large green Buddha statue, though the statue itself was constructed in modern times. The temple was established at its current location in the 1700s. Its architecture is quite unique, with a vibe that feels more like India or Thailand than a typical Japanese temple. Since there are a lot of mosquitoes, it’s best to visit in late autumn or winter.

Nittaiji Temple

Nittai-ji Temple houses the ashes of the Buddha, which were sent from Thailand. It is a symbolic landmark in the historic area of Kakuozan, known for its preserved old buildings. The surroundings of Nittai-ji also feature other interesting historical structures, making it a great spot to explore.

Kenchuji Temple

Kenchuji Temple is associated with the Owari branch of the Tokugawa family and has a mausoleum for the Tokugawa clan on its grounds, although you cannot enter the mausoleum itself. The temple appears to have escaped the air raids of World War II, so the wooden structures built between the 1600s and 1800s are still preserved in their original form. It’s free to enter, and there are usually few visitors.

Kasadera Kannon

Kasadera Kannon is a Shingon-sect temple established in 733. Its grounds contain numerous historical structures that have been designated as Important Cultural Properties by Nagoya City.