[Aichi ]I want to visit at least once! 10 Unusual Shrines and Temples in Aichi Prefecture
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2023-01-25
Aichi Prefecture, which is said to have the largest number of shrines and temples in Japan, has many shrines that enshrine unusual objects and many unusual temples that have a great impact. This article introduces some of the most unusual shrines and temples in Aichi Prefecture.
Author of this article
Table of Contents
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- 1-1.1-2.2.
- 2-1.2-2.3.
- 3-1.3-2.4.
- 4-1.4-2.5.
- 5-1.5-2.6.
- 6-1.6-2.7.
- 7-1.7-2.8.
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Miwa Shrine
First, we introduce three unusual shrines in Nagoya City!
The first is Miwa Shrine, located in the Osu shopping district, one of Nagoya's most popular tourist spots.
Miwa Shrine was founded in 1570, welcoming deities from Oomiwa Shrine in Nara Prefecture.
Too cute! Shrine full of rabbits
Miwa Shrine has many attractions, such as the Miwa Torii gate, the tree of marriage, and the remains of the Owari Clan's arrowheads, but the best part is the rabbits that can be seen here and there in the shrine precincts.
You can see rabbit figurines throughout the temple grounds, including "happy nade-usagi "right in front of the worship hall.
Good luck charms, omikuji, and even omikuji hangers are shaped like rabbits.
Everything I see is already too cute and soothing to the max.
According to the history, the rabbit is an animal that is believed to be a messenger of the god Omononushi, who is enshrined at the Miwa Shrine, and is said to bring good luck and happiness.
Popular as a shrine for thrusting activities.
Miwa Shrine has recently been attracting attention as a shrine for guesswork.
It is said that if you write your wish on this rabbit ema and dedicate it, you will have a higher chance of winning concert tickets or paper seats for your favorite idol.
Perhaps this is why the area has recently been overflowing with rabbit ema (votive tablet) with the portraits of their guesses written on them.
If you are doing a guessing game, why not give it a try?
"More Information "
Address: 3-9-32 Osu, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 460-0011
Phone number: 052-241-7468
Opening and closing hours: Please inquire directly.
Admission: Free
URL：https://miwajinnjya.com/
Taoganji Temple
The second temple is Togan-ji Temple, located in Chikusa Ward.
The temple was built as a family temple of Nobuhide, father of Nobunaga Oda, and was originally located near the current Honami-cho, Chikusa-ku, but due to repeated flood damage, it was moved to its current location about 350 years ago.
Unusual! The Great Buddha too green!
Within the precincts of Momoganji Temple is enshrined "the Nagoya Daibutsu ", the largest statue in Nagoya.
As you can see from the photo, the colors are, well, just vivid!
When it was erected in 1987, it was not this green, but renovation work in 2006 turned it such a clear green color.
It is full of unusual objects other than the Great Buddha!
Although it is tempting to focus only on the brilliant Nagoya Daibutsu (Great Buddha), there is much more to see at Momoyama-ji Temple.
The main shrine includes a huge wooden fish about 1 meter in diameter and a "prayer stone "on which people write their wishes and dedicate it.
Also enshrined behind the main shrine is "Nemuri Benten ", which is said to be beneficial for music and the arts.
Nemuri Benten is open every year from January 1 to 5 and May 7 and 8, so those who wish to see it up close should aim for those times!
Incidentally, even when the temple is not open, you can view it from a distance.
"More Information "
Address: 2-16 Yotsuya-dori, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 464-0819
Phone number: 052-781-1427
Opening and closing hours：9:00～17:00
Admission: Free
1,000 yen per person for Nemuri Benten and Pagoda Pagoda visit
Sheep Shrine
The third one is the Sheep Shrine in Kita-ku.
The shrine has a long history, although the date of its founding is unknown. The present main shrine was reportedly built in 1838.
Sheep paradise in the precincts of the temple
As you can tell from the name of the shrine, the Sheep Shrine is full of sheep! This is why the shrine is said to be crowded with worshippers in the Year of the Sheep.
You can see cute sheep everywhere on the temple grounds, including in the hand-watering basin, which will make you feel warm and fuzzy when you visit.
Near the shrine office, there is a statue of a sheep with a parent and child snuggled up together.
There is a money box in front of you, so please pet the sheep after throwing money.
Cute seasonal red seals
It is not only the sheep in the precinct that are cute.
Sheep Shrine also offers cute red seals! Different red seals are designed for each season, so if you are a red seal collector, be sure to check out the red seals for each season.
"More Information "
Address: 5-26 Tsujimachi, Kita-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi 462-0032
Phone number: 052-912-0063
Company office hours: 9:30-15:30 (Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun)
Admission: Free
Momotaro Shrine
Here are three unusual shrines and temples in the Owari area.
The first shrine we will introduce is Momotaro Shrine in Inuyama City. It was built in 1930 in honor of the legend of Momotaro that has been handed down in this area since ancient times.
This is a rare spot that is famous throughout Japan. The temple grounds include a torii gate in the shape of a peach and a washing rock "that is said to have been used for washing clothes by an old lady in the Momotaro legend ".
Momotaro's performers are all here.
The highlight of Momotaro Shrine is the concrete statues located throughout the shrine grounds.
Visitors can learn about the legend of Momotaro as they walk around the grounds, where famous scenes from the story are recreated.
Momotaro, who is born energetically from a peach, his accompanying monkeys, pheasants, and dogs, colorful red and blue ogres, and even his grandfather and grandmother make an appearance, making for a great spectacle.
Inside, there is a concrete statue of such an ogre. It is said to be a kind-hearted ogre that laughs and forgives you even if you climb on its back, and it seems to be very popular among children.
All of the approximately 20 concrete statues in the precincts of the temple were created by the sculptor Shoun Asano. Asano's works can also be seen at Goshiki-en in Nisshin City, Aichi Prefecture, and Sekigahara Warland in Sekigahara Town, Gifu Prefecture.
Don't miss the Treasure House, which displays Momotaro goods!
There is also a treasure house (fee required) on the grounds of the temple that displays materials related to Momotaro.
Visitors to the temple are encouraged to stop by here as well, where they can see many rare treasures, such as a metal rod said to have been used by demons, rocks from Onigashima, and a millstone used for making kibidango (sweet red bean paste).
"More Information "
Address: 〒484-0002 853 Kurusu-Ohei, Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture
Phone number: 0568-61-1586
Office hours: 10:00～16:00
Admission: Free
Treasure House: Adults 200 yen, Children 100 yen
URL：http://www.yha.gr.jp/momotaro/shrine.html
Kannon (Boddhisattva)
The next temple we will introduce is Mamakannon, located in Komaki City. Its official name is Ryuonji Temple.
This is the only temple in Japan that offers blessings for requests related to breastfeeding, so the precincts of the temple are full of boobs.
It is a venerable temple, but it is full of places that make you chuckle.
Amazing boobs with sensors.
The first thing that strikes you as you enter the temple grounds is the tit-shaped hand-watering basin.
It looks impressive from the outside, but in fact, when a person comes close to it, a sensor reacts and water comes out from the nipple area.
I understand very seriously that it was created, but I don't know what to say about it. ......
And these aren't the only boobs with sensors.
This "Jinyu Kannon (慈乳観世音) "also has a sensor that reacts when a person passes nearby, causing water to flow out of the right breast.
Please see. Perhaps because the water has been running for worshippers for so long, the bottom of the right breast has now turned a completely different color.
If you visit Mamma Kannon, be sure to join hands with Jiyu Kannon here as well.
Women with breast problems should visit!
Mamma Kannon, whose boobs can be seen everywhere in the precincts of the temple. Of course, the ema (votive picture tablet) also has boobs on it.
It is said to bring blessings not only for breastfeeding, but also for growth and breast diseases, so please visit the shrine if you have any breast-related problems.
"More Information "
Address: 152 Mamamoto-cho, Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture, 485-0048, Japan
Phone number: 0568-73-6173
Opening and closing hours: 7:30～17:00
Admission: Free
URL：https://mamakannon.wixsite.com/index
Tanaka Shrine
The last of the unusual shrines and temples in the Owari area is Tagata Shrine, located in Komaki City, just like Mamako Kannon.
It is a rare shrine that enshrines a male symbol and is famous for its annual harvest festival held in March. In recent years, the shrine has been visited by many worshippers not only from Japan but also from overseas.Don't miss the well-known large man-stem form at the Toyonen Festival.
Male symbols can be seen here and there in the precincts of Tagata Shrine, but the best part of the shrine is the "Ooowasegata (large male stem form) "that is offered in the main shrine.
Literally, it is an amazingly big size, measuring about 2.5 meters long and weighing nearly 300 kilograms!
At the Toyonen Festival, this large male stem-shaped portable shrine is carried by men with bad luck from the Otabisho to the Tagata Shrine, and paraded through the city.
It is an amazing sight just to imagine it, but the actual scene is even more impressive! It is called a "strange festival" for a reason.
It may be difficult to see the festival, but the powerful Oonio-stemmed form is worth seeing. If you visit Tagata Shrine, be sure to go and see it.
Double worship for even more benefits!
If you are going to Tagata Shrine, be sure to stop by Oagata Shrine, a 10-minute drive away.
Ogata Shrine enshrines a female deity and is said to be beneficial for childbirth and safe delivery.
If you visit in combination with Tagata Shrine, which is blessed with the prosperity of offspring, you may be blessed with a child!
Ogata Shrine is also known for its plum blossoms.
The best time to visit is from mid-February to mid-March. The beautiful red and white weeping plum trees are a sight to behold.
"Detailed information "※Tada Shrine
Address: 152 Tagata-cho, Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture, 485-0004, Japan
Phone number: 0568-76-2906
Royal prayer payment：9:00～15:30
Admission: Free
URL：http://www.tagatajinja.com/index.html
Myozenji Temple
The following are four unusual shrines and temples in the Mikawa area.
The first is Myozenji Temple in Nishio City. It is familiarly known locally as "Hazu Kannon ".
The name "Hazu Kannon" is derived from the place name, Hazu-cho.
The temple is also called "Pumpkin Temple "because of its close connection to pumpkins.
Temple filled with pumpkins
According to a folk tale from Hazu Town, a long time ago, Rishun Souzu, a monk of Seirinji Temple (now Myozenji Temple), received a message from Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) telling him "to go to the beach because she would give him morality ".
And when he went out to the beach as he was told, he found a large, round fruit washed up on the shore.
It is said that this was actually a pumpkin, which later became the origin of Myozenji Temple being called a pumpkin temple.
The temple grounds are filled with pumpkins, including the "Hyakusyu Kabocha Kannon (Goddess of Mercy) ", which is a pumpkin with a Kannon inside, and the "Happy Pumpkin ", which brings happiness when touched.
Recommended to visit on the winter solstice.
As the winter solstice approaches, you can see real pumpkins as well as pumpkin statues.
These pumpkins are donated from all over Japan for the "Pumpkin Summit "held every winter solstice at Myozenji Temple.
On the winter solstice, not only can one see many pumpkins, but also oshiruko (sweet red bean soup) made of pumpkin and azuki beans is served.
Although it is too cold to go out, if you are a sightseer, you should definitely visit Myozenji Temple.
"More Information "
Address: 66 Higashihatazumori, Hazu-cho, Nishio, Aichi 444-0701, Japan
Phone number: 0563-62-2297
Opening and closing hours: Please inquire directly (weekdays 9:00-18:00)
Admission: Free
URL：https://www.hazu-kannon.net/
Sutra of Immeasurable Meanings
The second is Muryuji Temple in Gamagori City.
The temple was founded in the Heian period (794-1192), and is known for its blessings to ward off bad luck and cancer.
Ema (votive picture tablet) and priest's sermon to ward off cancer
The precincts of Muryoji Temple, famous as a cancer-fighting temple, are filled with ema (votive picture tablet) prayers for the cure of cancer.
The ema (votive tablet) depicts the shape of a person, and the area where the person wants to seal off cancer is painted black to pray for healing.
The head priest gives a sermon every day in the main hall.
"You can listen to humorous and informative talks such as "about the food that is good for cancer prevention, so please listen to the priest's sermon when you visit the temple.
Tour of 1,000 Buddhist caves with mysterious sights
One of the highlights of Muryangsa Temple is the unusual Thousand Buddha Caves, modeled after Chinese grotto temples.
In the tour around the Thousand Buddha Caves, you can see the Gandhara Buddha and a large seated statue of Dainichi Nyorai. Moreover, the tour is free of charge. It is recommended to visit here to see these mysterious sights that can only be seen here!
"More Information "
Address: 〒443-0105 30, Hinaka, Nishiura-cho, Gamagori-shi, Aichi-ken
Phone number: 0533-57-3865
Opening and closing hours：8:00～17:00
Admission: FreeTokoji Temple
The third temple is Tokoji Temple in Handa City.
This temple was built in 1903, with the temple name and the principal image transferred from Tokoji Temple in Wakayama.
The charismatic Kobo-Daishi of the Buddhist world is all over the place.
The highlight of Toko-ji Temple is the statues of Kobo Daishi enshrined in the Kobo Hall.
Seikan Shonin, the founder of Tokoji Temple, "wanted to enshrine a statue of Kobo Daishi for his followers "and created statues of Kobo Daishi from ages 1 to 62.
Originally, 62 statues of Kobo Daishi were enshrined in Kobo Hall, but they were damaged by the Mikawa Earthquake in 1945. Currently, there are only 45 statues.
Nevertheless, the various statues of Kobo-Daishi that line the dais are a sight to behold! Please take your time to see the growth of Kobo Daishi.
"More Information "
Address: 3-14 Kamesaki-Tsukimi-cho, Handa, Aichi, 475-0022, Japan
Phone number: 0569-28-2622
Opening and closing hours: Please inquire directly.
Admission: Free
Okagawa Temple
The next temple is also notable for its statue of Kobo Daishi.
The last temple in the Mikawa area is Okagawa Temple (Kosenji) in Taketoyo Town.
The Tokoji temple introduced earlier had many statues of Kobo Daishi, but what kind of statues of Kobo Daishi can be seen here?Temple where you can see the largest statue of Kobo Daishi in Japan.
Entering the hall, one sees a surprisingly large statue of Kobo Daishi.
Yes, at Okagawa-dera you can see the largest wooden statue of Kobo Daishi in Japan!
It is called Eto Dai Kobo Daishi (恵當大弘法大師) and is 3.6 meters high.
The real thing is even more powerful than the photo! If you are passing nearby, be sure to stop by Okagawa-dera Temple.
"More Information "
Address: 13, Fukiji-higashi, Taketoyo-cho, Chita-gun, Aichi, 470-2531, Japan
Phone number: 0569-72-3832
Opening and closing hours: Please inquire directly.
Admission: Free
summary
Shrines and temples can be found all over town in Aichi Prefecture. While it is nice to visit popular spots such as Atsuta Shrine and Osu Kannon, the shrines and temples introduced here are also highly recommended and full of attractions!
"If you would like to visit an unusual sightseeing spot once in a while ""or go to a place where you can talk about something ", please visit the shrines and temples introduced in this article.
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