Kōshō-ji Temple: A Sanctuary of Prayer and Healing in the Forest of Yagoto

The Five-Story Pagoda: A Testament to Prayer and Beauty in Owari

Kōshō-ji Temple is a distinguished Shingon Buddhist temple with a history of over 300 years. Founded in 1688 by Zen’e Enshō, who received the vajra of Kōbō Daishi, the temple became a deeply respected prayer site for the Tokugawa clan of Owari. Its history is preserved through numerous cultural assets that continue to thrive within the grounds.

The most striking of these is the wooden five-story pagoda, designated a National Important Cultural Property. Standing approximately 30 meters tall, it is the only surviving wooden pagoda from the Edo period in the three Tokai prefectures and draws admiration from all who visit.

Other historical buildings such as the Nishiyama Main Hall and the Kannon Hall also reflect the elegance and spirit of the Edo era, preserving the temple’s distinguished legacy.

The temple’s treasures include Buddhist statues, mandalas, calligraphy, and paintings, all representing valuable Buddhist art. Occasionally on display, these artifacts embody the temple’s rich aesthetic and the continuous devotion of its head monks through generations.

Visiting Kōshō-ji is not only an act of prayer but an opportunity to engage with history and culture in a deeply meditative experience.

A Seasonal Pageant of Prayer and Celebration

Kōshō-ji Temple hosts a variety of annual events and rituals, allowing visitors to experience moments of reflection and renewal throughout the year.

The year begins with hatsumōde, the New Year’s pilgrimage, where crowds gather to pray for peace and blessings while walking the path under the gaze of the five-story pagoda. In February, the temple holds a Setsubun ceremony with bean-throwing to ward off evil spirits and welcome spring.

In April, the Flower Festival is celebrated alongside the cherry blossoms, honoring the birth of the Buddha. Summer brings the Grand Segaki Ceremony, a time for offering prayers to ancestors and contemplating the value of life. In autumn, the powerful Yagoto Fire Festival and Thousand Lantern Memorial Service are held, creating a deeply moving spectacle of flames and prayers.

At year’s end, visitors line up for the Joya no Kane bell ringing on New Year’s Eve, striking the bell to cleanse themselves of worldly desires and welcoming the new year in solemn reflection.

These traditional events are an embodiment of Kōshō-ji’s spiritual mission and offer visitors moments to pause, renew, and reconnect with themselves.

The temple is a sacred space that gently supports people through the changing seasons and the milestones of life.

A Quiet Journey of Learning and Inner Peace

Kōshō-ji Temple offers a variety of programs and experiences that make Buddhist teachings more accessible and personally meaningful.

Popular among visitors are the practices of sutra copying (shakyō) and meditation. Sutra copying encourages mindfulness as participants carefully trace each character, creating a moment for quiet introspection. In the meditation experience, participants focus on their breathing to clear the mind and regain a sense of calm.

The temple also runs the Kodomo Terakoya Club, a children’s educational program where participants learn about Japanese customs, manners, and Buddhist values through hands-on experiences with nature and tradition.

These programs are embraced as spiritual retreats, offering everyday insights and personal growth.

Set in a peaceful environment, Kōshō-ji’s experiential programs allow visitors to open their senses, reflect deeply, and find healing that goes beyond the typical sightseeing experience.

A Modern Temple Connected to Community Life

Kōshō-ji Temple is not only a place of prayer but also an open space where the local community connects and flourishes.

A symbol of this connection is Fumon-en, the temple’s natural garden. With cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vivid foliage in autumn, and serene snowscapes in winter, the garden offers peaceful beauty throughout the year.

The garden includes a traditional tea house, Chikusuitei, where seasonal decorations are occasionally on display for visitors to enjoy.

Every month on the 21st, the temple hosts the Kōshō-ji Marche, a popular local market that brings together organic vegetables, artisanal food, and handcrafted goods. It’s a lively gathering where people of all ages come together, not just for shopping, but for meaningful encounters—a modern-day temple fair that brings hearts closer.

By blending the traditional setting of a temple with contemporary community interaction, Kōshō-ji continues to evolve as a welcoming destination. It is more than a tourist spot—it’s a place where people can pause in their daily lives and feel at home.