Kentoku-ji, Buddhist temple in Naka-ku, Japan.
Kentoku-ji is a Zen Buddhist temple in Naka-ku featuring traditional wooden buildings arranged around a central courtyard. The layout reflects classical Buddhist design, with each structure positioned to create a flowing path through the sanctuary.
This sanctuary began as a private residence before being transformed into a Zen Buddhist temple affiliated with the Sōtō school. This transition shaped its role as a place of Buddhist practice and teaching in Nagoya for centuries.
The temple serves as a gathering place where residents find a connection to Buddhist practice through meditation and seasonal ceremonies performed here. Walking through the grounds, you notice how monks move through the space in daily routines that structure the life of this sanctuary.
The site is located in a residential area of Nagoya and is accessible on foot, with adequate space to explore the grounds. Visitors should be respectful of ongoing spiritual activities and wear comfortable shoes, as entering buildings requires removing them.
The sanctuary houses a shariden, a specialized structure for storing sacred relics that makes it particularly significant among Buddhist practitioners in the region. This type of building is uncommon and reflects the spiritual importance of this location.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
