Osu Kannon Temple Nagoya
Osu Kannon: read a guide to Osu Kannon Temple in the Osu Kannon entertainment and electronics area in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
Nagoya Temples & Shrines: Osu Kannon Temple 大須観音
Osu Kannon Temple (大須観音), located in the electronics and shopping area of Osu Kannon in Nagoya, is one of Nagoya's most famous and popular temples.
Osu Kannon is a Shingon sect temple and attracts large crowds on the 18th of each month to its popular flea market.
Osu Kannon Temple, Nagoya
Osu Kannon History
Osu Kannon, officially known as Kitanosan Shinpuku-ji Hosho-in, was first built in the Hashima area of Gifu in the 14th century just outside Nagoya city. Osu Kannon Temple was moved to its present location in 1612 by local warlord, later shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
A fire destroyed parts of the temple in 1820 and after some damage in World War II, the temple was rebuilt in the 1970's as a modern replica of its original form.
Osu Kannon is famous for its library which contains over 15,000 Japanese and Chinese Buddhist texts as well as the oldest hand-written copy of the Kojiki - an historical chronicle of early Japanese history.
The temple's wooden statue of Kannon - the goddess of mercy - is said to have been carved by Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai) - an important figure in the development of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism.
The large temple has a number of prayer flags at the front and a huge red lantern where worshipers can attach a wish written on a piece of paper. Huge incense burners stand outside the Honden or main hall. The grounds have attracted a large flock of pigeons, kept well-fed by the devout.
Osu Kannon Temple hosts a popular flea market on the 18th of each month with a smaller flea market on the 28th here and at nearby Banshoji Temple.
The hip area of Osu Kannon in Nagoya known for its flea markets and electronics stores
Prayer flags at Osu Kannon Temple on market day in Osu Kannon electronics district, Nagoya
Access - how to get to Osu Kannon Temple in Nagoya
Osu Kannon is a short distance from Osu Kannon Station on the Tsurumai Line or a little further from Kamimaezu Station on the Tsurumai and Meijo lines of the Nagoya subway. Osu Kannon Temple is also close to the shopping, dining and entertainments area of Sakae to the north, Banshoji Temple and Ran-no-kan Orchid Gardens.
Osu Kannon Temple
21-47 Osu 2-chome
Naka-ku
Nagoya
460-0011
Tel: 052 231 6525
Google map of Osu Kannon
Osu Kannon Temple with its pigeons at dusk
Osu Kannon Temple Video
