Toganji Temple, Nagoya

Toganji Temple, a Buddhist temple of the Soto Zen sect, is located in the Motoyama area of Nagoya. Founded in the 1500s by Oda Nobuyuki, the lord of Suemori Castle, in memory of his father Oda Nobuhide, the temple borrows "Togan" from Nobuhide's posthumous Buddhist name. Initially constructed in 1502, the temple was moved to its present location in 1714.

The temple grounds feature several notable elements, including a turtle pond and a grove of giant bamboo. One of the temple's most striking features is the 10-meter-tall Buddha statue known as "The Great Buddha of Nagoya," erected in 1987. This bronze statue, created by the Buddhist sculptor Nagata Seizan, is uniquely supported by 10 elephants and painted a vivid green with gold foil accents.

Toganji Temple has a rich history intertwined with both Japanese and Indian cultural influences. It contains a Shiva-Lingam from the 16th century and a shrine dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati, honored in the Benzaiten Festival held every May 7-8. The temple's main deity is the bodhisattva Kannon, with a statue created by the monk Eshin Sozu. A picture of the goddess Benzaiten believed to have belonged to Nobuhide, and a statue of the 15 child servants of Benzaiten, transferred from Chikubu Island, also add to the temple's spiritual significance.

Visitors enter the temple through a narrow path that leads to a Chinese-style gate and descend stone stairs to see the seated Buddha image. The pedestal of this image is decorated with Indian-style Buddhist iconography. The temple grounds also feature a large wooden temple drum, the largest in Japan, made from a 100-year-old camphor tree. Touching the drum is believed to dispel bad karma. Additionally, a large bronze hand and other unique artifacts contribute to the serene and spiritually enriching environment of Toganji Temple.