Ryūsen-ji, Buddhist temple in Moriyama Ward, Nagoya, Japan.
Ryūsen-ji is a Buddhist temple in Moriyama Ward, Nagoya, housing hundreds of Buddhist statues throughout its grounds. The most notable is a Batokannon figure depicting Kannon in human form with a horse head.
The temple was founded between 782 and 806 during the Enryaku period by monk Saicho, making it one of the earliest Buddhist establishments in Nagoya. Its ancient roots connect it to the earliest phases of religious development in the region.
The temple is part of the Four Kannons of Owari, a group of sacred sites chosen in the 17th century to spiritually protect Nagoya Castle and its rulers. This protective role remains central to how locals understand the place today.
The temple is open daily from 9 AM to 4 PM and offers parking on site for visitors. Plan enough time to walk through the grounds and view the statues at a relaxed pace without feeling rushed.
The Niomon gate and wooden Jizobosatsu statue are registered as Important Cultural Properties of Japan, representing masterful craftsmanship from earlier times. These two works often receive less attention than the famous Batokannon figure but deserve equal appreciation from visitors.
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