Picturesque year round, and established in 1686 by the Tokugawa Family, Koshoji is one of Nagoya’s most impressive Buddhist sites, and despite it’s age and status, is probably one of the cities best kept secrets. A quiet and pleasant place to walk around and visit, Koshoji was founded on Yagoto Hill, along the ancient Iida Kaido roadway, and surrounded by woodlands. The extensive temple’s grounds retain a number of elegant historical buildings, such as the eye catching white and vermillion 17th Century main hall, Enshoudo with it’s golden spire, and the five-storied pagoda dating from 1808, making it the oldest pagoda remaining in Aichi Prefecture. Snaking through the forest above and adjoining the temple is the graveyard. Depending on the season and time of day, it can be a little eerie, but worth taking the time to see.
On the 5th and 13th of each month, the temple hosts a small flea market with antiques, local produce such as fruit and vegetables, bric-a-brac, old clothing including kimonos and more. Every autumn, the Koshoji draws thousands when it holds the annual Harvest Moon “Thousand Lantern Festival”.
The Koshoji also offers a tea service. For 500 Yen, you can enjoy a matcha green tea and small wagashi cake while overlooking the temples’ inner grounds and gardens, particularly enjoyable in the spring and autumn months.
Koshoji is surrounded by the Chukyo, Meijo, Nagoya and Nanzan Universities, and there are plenty of good eating spots and drinking holes catering to the many university students frequenting the Yagoto area.
