I visited at the end of last November. I think this is THE hidden gem of Nagoya. You’ll find a giant Buddha statue, tucked away right in the city centre. There was hardly anyone there, it’s really surprising to find something like this in such a place.
Aside from the statue, there’s plenty to explore around the temple; it has a truly unique atmosphere. You feel as though you’re in a place surrounded by nature, abandoned and forgotten, yet one that has stood the test of time, even though it’s easily accessible by metro. It really is a unique spot that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Beautiful and peaceful. There is no room for bus parking. It is in the middle of a quiet neighborhood, so it feels, I don't know, natural and unspoiled? Make sure you walk around the grounds and see the different shrines and buildings.
The temple next to the Great Green Buddha was actually my favorite part of the visit. It is quiet, beautifully maintained and has a lovely garden that creates a very peaceful atmosphere.
The highlight was the stunning coffered ceiling decorated with painted panels, which was absolutely worth seeing. It is one of those details that makes the temple feel unique compared to many others in Japan.
There were very few visitors, so we could enjoy the place without crowds. If you visit the Green Buddha, don’t skip this temple—it ended up being the more memorable part of the experience for me.
This temple has a lot of charm and character. Don't forget to look at the temple, and not just at the statue—the temple is where I feel the magic lies.
The temple is not the most well-maintained, but its architecture is very different from other temples in Japan and has various influences, and it feels like being lost in a little wonderland of faith. The green Buddha statue is quite a wonder in itself.
It's not a temple where I would come and pray and find spiritual connection though, but its charms and character are special.
I visited Toganji Temple in Motoyama, Nagoya, and it was a peaceful and spiritually calming experience. The big Buddha statue is really impressive, and I was surprised to see a Shiva Linga (pind) in front of the main temple, which was nice for someone from India like me.
I was a bit disappointed with the condition of the place as it didn’t seem well maintained. There were many mosquitoes, and some parts of the temple looked old and not taken care of. I hope whoever is responsible for the temple can improve it or at least keep it well maintained, as it’s a spiritual place and deserves better.
There were very few people when I visited, and some of them were walking their dogs. It felt like local people see it more as a park than a temple, though I could be wrong. Still, I hope more visitors and locals treat it as a spiritual place too.
I think it’s worth a visit for the calm atmosphere and unique mix of Buddhist and Hindu elements, but I do hope the maintenance gets better.
