Osu Kannon Temple, Nagoya
艑su Kannon is a prominent Buddhist temple, part of the Owari Thirty-three Kannon pilgrimage circuit, emphasizing its religious significance. The temple's origins date back to around 1333 in 艑su-g艒, Nagaoka village, within what is now Hashima city in Gifu Prefecture. It was initially constructed under the sponsorship of Emperor Go-Daigo, who appointed Sh艒nin N艒shin as the first head priest. According to tradition, N艒shin had a divine vision of Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion, known as Kannon in Japanese, which inspired the temple's dedication and its name.
The temple was relocated to its current site in Nagoya in 1612 by the influential shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, after the original location suffered from frequent flooding. In the 1820s, a significant portion of the temple was destroyed by fire, but it was meticulously reconstructed in the 1970s, preserving its historical and architectural integrity. The main hall of 艑su Kannon is notable for its large, red paper lantern, which is a focal point for visitors. Worshippers tie small paper notes with their wishes onto the wires holding the lantern, a traditional practice believed to bring good fortune.
艑su Kannon is also renowned for its extensive library, housing approximately 15,000 classical Japanese and Chinese texts. Among these is the oldest handwritten copy of the "Kojiki," a chronicle of Japan's ancient mythology and history, which is considered a national treasure. The library's collection includes many other valuable texts, some of which are designated as important cultural properties, reflecting the temple's role as a guardian of cultural heritage.
The temple is also a vibrant cultural hub, hosting a lively street fair on the 18th day of each month. This event attracts both locals and tourists, offering a variety of goods and traditional crafts.
The temple was relocated to its current site in Nagoya in 1612 by the influential shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, after the original location suffered from frequent flooding. In the 1820s, a significant portion of the temple was destroyed by fire, but it was meticulously reconstructed in the 1970s, preserving its historical and architectural integrity. The main hall of 艑su Kannon is notable for its large, red paper lantern, which is a focal point for visitors. Worshippers tie small paper notes with their wishes onto the wires holding the lantern, a traditional practice believed to bring good fortune.
艑su Kannon is also renowned for its extensive library, housing approximately 15,000 classical Japanese and Chinese texts. Among these is the oldest handwritten copy of the "Kojiki," a chronicle of Japan's ancient mythology and history, which is considered a national treasure. The library's collection includes many other valuable texts, some of which are designated as important cultural properties, reflecting the temple's role as a guardian of cultural heritage.
The temple is also a vibrant cultural hub, hosting a lively street fair on the 18th day of each month. This event attracts both locals and tourists, offering a variety of goods and traditional crafts.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Nagoya. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Osu Kannon Temple on Map
Sight Name: Osu Kannon Temple
Sight Location: Nagoya, Japan (See walking tours in Nagoya)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Nagoya, Japan (See walking tours in Nagoya)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Nagoya, Japan
Create Your Own Walk in Nagoya
Creating your own self-guided walk in Nagoya is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Nagoya City Center Walking Tour
Nagoya, Japan鈥檚 fourth-largest city, is the industrial and cultural epicenter of the Ch奴bu region. Situated on the Pacific coast of central Honshu island, Nagoya has woven a rich historical tapestry reflecting its role in Japan's feudal and modern eras. The name "Nagoya" is derived from the word "Nagoyaka," which means peace or tranquility.
The city's historical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
The city's historical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
Nagoya Castle Walking Tour
Nagoya Castle, constructed in 1612, is the former center of one of Japan's most important junctions linking two of the country's five major highways. The castle became a core part of modern Nagoya in 1930. Partially destroyed during World War II 鈥� in 1945, it has been under reconstruction since 1957.
The castle complex is characterized by multiple defensive layers divided by the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
The castle complex is characterized by multiple defensive layers divided by the... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.2 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Nagoya Station Pub Crawl
This crawl takes you through the centre of Nagoya, locally known as Mei Eki. This is a very cosmopolitan area where drunken salary-men rub shoulders with drunken gaijin. On this list is a selection of different British pubs and bars, just in case you鈥檙e hankering for a Guinness and a decent spot...
Fushimi - Sakae Pub Crawl of Nagoya
This crawl runs through Fushimi and Sakae, the down town area of Nagoya. It is a real mixed bag and every establishment has a different vibe and (more importantly) menu. All of the bars are gaijin friendly and each would be a decent place to have a...