Arako Kannon
The largest collection of
Enku Buddhas in Japan
“Arako Kannon” is one of the four Owari Kannon, and is a Tendai sect temple located in Nakagawa Ward, Nagoya City. It is said to have been founded by Taicho in 729 during the Nara period, and has a history of nearly 1,300 years. The principal image is the Bodhisattva Shokannon. It is said to have the largest number of Enku Buddhas in Japan. This is the lucky direction Kannon for 2025.
Inside the main hall
Benefits and mantras
Protection from misfortune, good luck, recovery from illness, removal of hardships
mantrason arorikya sowaka
There are many historical buildings on the premises.
It was built in 1536 and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
The Kannonji temple is called Jōkaisan Enryūin, and it is said that Taicho’s hermitage was located there in 729 (the first year of the Tenpyō era).
The pagoda was rebuilt in May 1536 (the fifth year of the Tenbun era) by the head priest at the time, Jōjuin Akishun. The master carpenter is said to be Okabe Jinshiro of Atsuta. The persimmon-roofed three-bay pagoda is a good example of the characteristics of the late Muromachi period, and is the oldest building in the city, designated as an Important Cultural Property by the national government. Dismantling and repairs were completed in 2001.
The Goma Hall on the temple grounds enshrines Acala. Acala is often depicted as a fearsome figure, but he is considered to be an incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai, the supreme authority of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism, and is regarded as the guardian deity that wards off epidemics.
Every year on December 31st, the “New Year’s Eve Bell” is rung (by about 1,500 people each year). It is said that over 10,000 people visit the shrine on just the first three days of the New Year.
Arako Kannon is said to have the largest number of Enku Buddhas (1,266) in Japan. Enku Buddhas are wooden carved statues by the Edo period Buddhist sculptor Enku (1632-1695). The Enku Buddhas are open to the public on the second Saturday of every month from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
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Google Map
The address is 138 Miyamado, Arakocho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. On days when there are no events, the temple is open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Get off at Takahata Station on the Higashiyama Line. Exit at Exit 5 and turn left. Cross the first traffic light, turn left and follow the road. There is a traffic light (time-delayed) just before the “Arako Kannon West” sign. It is about a 9-minute walk to “Arako Kannon East Gate.”
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Exit 5 is a little far from the ticket gate. Also, at the intersection where you turn left, on the right side (opposite the lane), you will see the “JA Nagoya” building.