Higashi Betsuin Temple
Higashi Betsuin Temple in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, is a large sub-temple of Higashi Honganji Temple in Kyoto.
- History of Higashi Betsuin Temple
- Higashi Betsuin Temple Access
- Nagoya Temples & Shrines
- Japan Temples & Shrines
Higashi Betsuin Temple, Nagoya 真宗大谷派名古屋別院
Higashi Betsuin Temple (東別院), in Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan is a large sub-temple of Higashi Honganji Temple in Kyoto.
Higashi Betsuin Temple is a Jodo-Shinshu sect temple of Japanese Buddhism which has the largest number of followers in Japan.
The grounds of Higashi Betsuin Temple are spacious and tranquil, though set in an unattractive area of Nagoya near an elevated highway and some dirty-looking canals.
Main Hall (Hondo), Higashi Betsuin Temple, Nagoya
Higashi Betsuin Temple History
Higashi Betsuin's grounds were originally the site of Furuwatari Castle, a fortress built in 1542 by Oda Nobuhide (1510-1552), the father of the famous, local warlord Oda Nobunaga.
Higashi Betsuin became an important temple in central Japan during the Edo Period of Japanese history, with the buildings undergoing constant repair and reconstruction up until the Meiji Period when the Nagoya Expo of 1874 was held here.
Much of the temple was destroyed during World War II. The massive main gate and main hall were rebuilt in the 1960's. The huge bell in the bell tower, though, is original and dates to 1692.
Nowadays the grounds of Higashi Betsuin are a place to seek sanctuary and peace from the noise and stress of urban Nagoya. The best day to visit the temple is on the 28th of each month when a fair is held selling hand-made and environmentally friendly goods and organic foods. The fair attracts many mothers and their children.
Higashi Betsuin Temple, Naka-ku, Nagoya
Higashi Betsuin Temple, Naka-ku, Nagoya
Access - how to get to Higashi Betsuin Temple in Nagoya
Higashi Betsuin Temple is a short distance from Higashi Betsuin Station on the Meijo Line of the Nagoya subway. The following Nagoya buses stop within easy walking distance of Higashi Betsuin Temple: 栄21系統, 栄26系統 and the 昭和巡回.
Higashi Betsuin Temple
2-8-55, Tachibana, Naka-ku
Nagoya
464-0819
Tel: 052 321 9201
Main Gate at Higashi Betsuin Temple, Nagoya
Site of Furuwatari Castle at Higashi Betsuin Temple, Naka-ku, Nagoya