This afternoon walk in Nagoya was so therapeutic: from a cup of tea to Osu Kannon-ji Temple, the whole journey was unrealistically beautiful.

#NovemberDestinations2025 #OsuKannonGate #AichiPrefecture #OsuShoppingStreet This afternoon walk in Nagoya was so therapeutic: from a cup of tea to Osu Kannon Temple, the whole journey was unrealistically beautiful. That afternoon in Nagoya was just the right pace. The city wasn't noisy, but it was full of the sounds of life. A cup of afternoon tea allowed me to slowly relax. After exiting the subway station, I didn't rush to Osu Kannon Temple. Instead, I first wandered into the alleys of Osu, looking for a coffee shop that would make me stop. The Osu area actually hides many unique coffee shops and tea shops, ranging from retro teahouses to modern coffee shops and dessert shops. For example, "Conpal Osu Honten," famous for its fried shrimp sandwiches, has many online reviews of its fried shrimp sandwiches and iced coffee—the kind of old shop that makes you hungry just by looking at the photos. Other shops like the famous pancake shop gram and hand-drip coffee shops also have branches in Osu. I chose a small shop with a seat by the window and ordered a hot coffee and a dessert. The cup was thin-walled, and I could feel its temperature just right when I placed my palm against it. Outside the window, pedestrians, bicycles, and the occasional traveler dragging a suitcase passed by—the city was in motion, but at that moment, I felt as if I had been temporarily pulled out of time. Sometimes, travel doesn't need a grand itinerary. A cup of tea, a dessert, and a window view to daydream about are enough to calm the mind. As the light shone through the cup, my heart had slowly shifted from daily tension to "traveler mode." From the shopping street to the red main hall, I entered Osu Kannon Temple. Leaving the café and walking along the street, I quickly felt the unique atmosphere of the Osu area: long arcade shopping streets, signs hanging from the ceiling, vintage clothing stores, electronics stores, cosplay costume stores, secondhand CDs, models, figurines, anime merchandise—it was as if Akihabara, Harajuku, and flea markets had been crammed into one street. This entire area boasts over 1,200 shops and is one of the stages for the World Cosplay Summit, making it a representative "subculture" hub in Nagoya. At one end of the shopping street lies today's destination—Osu Kannon Temple. Looking up, the bright red main hall is reflected in the sky, with steps leading upwards, white banners fluttering in the wind on either side, and flocks of pigeons occasionally grazing in the plaza ahead. The full name of this temple is "Kitanoyama Shinpukuji Hōshō-in," belonging to the Chizan school of Shingon Buddhism. Originally located in Gifu Prefecture, it was moved to its current location in the early Edo period by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu due to repeated flooding. It is considered one of the three great Kannon temples in Japan, alongside Asakusa Kannon and Tsu Kannon. Amidst the incense and red pillars, let your heart slowly find peace. Before climbing the steps, I paused at the edge of the plaza to savor the air—a mixture of incense, wood, pigeons flapping their wings, and the distant street music. The steps weren't high, but climbing them offered a completely different feeling from the leisurely atmosphere of the café. Upon reaching the main hall, many people lined up to drop coins into the offering box, clasped their hands in prayer, and others lit incense, letting the smoke curl around their hands and foreheads, hoping to leave bad luck behind and take good fortune home. Here, no one rushes you to take photos or move on to the next attraction. You can simply stand quietly, watching the sunlight stream in from the eaves, falling on the red pillars and the shoulders of the crowd. If you have time, you can draw a fortune slip (おみくじ) or buy a small amulet to hang on your bag. Even if you don't understand Japanese, folding the fortune slip and putting it in your wallet, or tying it to a designated spot in the temple, is a small, ritualistic touch in your journey. In front of the temple, it's another world entirely: the bustling Osu Shopping Street. Descending the steps from the main hall, looking back at that entire expanse of bright red buildings, you'll find that just a few steps further, the scene suddenly shifts from "solemn" to "lively." The Osu Shopping Street is right next to the temple, its long arcades teeming with all sorts of shops: • Stalls selling fried chicken, takoyaki, crepes, and dango—perfect for snacking on the go. • Secondhand clothing stores, kimono shops, and vintage shops—perfect for leisurely treasure hunting. • Video game, model, trading card, and anime shops—ACG enthusiasts will find themselves unable to leave. • Small cafes, dessert shops, and tea houses—perfect for grabbing a drink and continuing the festivities. This is simultaneously a down-to-earth shopping district, a stage for youth subculture, and a great place to "wander aimlessly." One of the happiest things for a traveler is having no specific destination, simply letting the streets lead the way. How to get there? If you are starting from Nagoya Station or Sakae Station, there are a few simple ways to reach Osu Kannon Temple/Osu Shopping Street Area 1: • Osu Kannon Station (T08) on the Tsurumai Subway Line: Exit 2 and walk for about 3 minutes to reach Osu Kannon Temple. This is the most direct route. • Kamemaezu Station (T09/M03) on the Tsurumai/Meijo Subway Line: This is also a quick way to get to Osu Shopping Street, suitable for those who want to shop first and then visit the temple, or visit the temple and then walk to other areas. Admission to Osu Kannon Temple is free year-round and it is generally open all day (however, facilities such as the library have different opening hours; please check the official information for details). ⸻ Travel Tips and Tricks (Practical Version) 1. Suggested Itinerary (Easy Half-Day to Full-Day Trip) Recommended Order: Cafe → Osu Kannon Temple → Osu Shopping Street 1. Arrive in the Osu area around 1 PM. 2. Find a cafe or teahouse that you like and have a light snack, dessert, or afternoon tea. 3. Around 2 or 3 PM, head to Osu Kannon Temple and leisurely stroll around the plaza, steps, and main hall, taking photos at your own pace. 4. After praying, walk around the temple grounds, draw a fortune slip, or buy an amulet. 5. Then explore the Osu Shopping Street, eating, shopping, and taking photos as you go. 6. Around dusk, depending on your energy and mood, choose: • Continue having dinner in Osu. • Walk back to the subway station and head to Sakae, Nagoya Station, etc. for a nighttime stroll. 2. Afternoon Tea Options? • For an "old-school Nagoya vibe": Try a long-established cafe like "Compal Osu Honten," where fried shrimp sandwiches and coffee are a popular local recommendation. • For a sweet, Instagram-worthy photoshoot: Consider cafes that serve pancakes, soufflés, or cakes, like those on Gram. Everything is served on a plate, perfect for photos. • Just want to relax and unwind: Osu has many small, quiet cafes. Search "Cafe Osu" on a map and find the one with the best photos to relax in. 3. When is the best time to go? • Afternoon to evening is ideal: • The temple has great daylight, making for beautiful photos. • Most shops are already open, offering a wide selection of food and drinks. • In autumn and winter, the evening temperature can be a bit chilly, but the streetlights still create a charming atmosphere. • On the 18th and 28th of each month, there's an antique market and stalls inside the temple. Those interested in treasure hunting or appreciating old items should definitely choose these two days. 4. A Few Reminders • Daisu Kannon-ji Temple is a place of faith, so please be mindful of the noise level when taking photos and avoid placing your camera too close to people who are worshipping. • There are many food options in the shopping streets that you can eat while walking, but please be mindful of not disturbing others or spilling food on the ground. • Winter temperatures are low, especially if you're stopping to take photos on the steps or in the plaza for an extended period. Remember to bring gloves, a scarf, and hand warmers.