Toganji Temple – known for the green Buddha statue

25/12/2025

When visiting temples or shrines in Japan, please remember that these are sacred places. Any behavior that shows disrespect — such as touching sacred objects, entering restricted areas, or making noise — can be seen as both culturally offensive and legally punishable under Japanese law (Article 188 of the Penal Code).

This shrine is part of our Nagoya Shrines and Temples Guide, which introduces the most important religious sites in Nagoya.

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Hidden Buddha statue in Residence area in Nagoya

Toganji Temple was originally built in the 1500s by Nobuyuki Oda to honor his father, Nobuhide. In 1714, it was relocated to its current site. This temple is famous for its large green Buddha statue, which was built in 1987.

The temple faces a main road, and the surrounding area is a residential neighborhood. However, the temple grounds are filled with a forested area.

The design of this temple is quite different from that of typical Japanese temples; it has a unique atmosphere that feels reminiscent of places like China, Thailand, or India.

I visited in late October, and it was still quite warm with plenty of mosquitoes, which made it challenging. I’d recommend visiting in late November when the autumn leaves are in full color and the mosquitoes are fewer. I’d love to take another stroll there during the fall foliage.

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I’ve compiled a list of Nagoya’s places that I’ve personally visited. Is Nagoya boring? Not at all! While it has developed as an industrial city, it also hides interesting places full of history and culture. Use this guide to explore Nagoya and discover its hidden gems.