The temple is also dedicated to Benzaiten the goddess of eloquence, music and art, and so the temple is important to Nagoya’s entertainers and show business personalities who visit to pray for success. A ceramic statue of the goddess lies waiting in the temple’s treasure room. Other treasures include a collection of carved phallic symbols, and figures of men and women engaged in various suggestive poses. A large block of ancient wood, said to purge all past sins if touched with one hand is also on display.

Within the grounds is Nagoya’s giant bronze Buddha surrounded by statues of elephants, reindeer and monks. Sitting almost 15 meters high on its red concrete pedestal, it was originally a typical bronze alloy color, however the current abbot had it painted a deep green with golden lips and features on a whim, which makes for an interesting contrast with the surrounding trees and bamboo, and multi-story apartment building behind it.

The grounds of the Togan-ji are surprisingly wide, and the temple is a popular walking spot for locals. The grounds boast a wide range of flowering plants, a grove of giant bamboo and even a turtle filled pond. Like most temples and religious sites, this is a place to relax and quietly ponder life’s mysteries.