Osu Kannon [Temple] is one of the three most prestigious "Kannon" [Bodhisattva of Mercy] sacred sites in Japan, along with "Senso-ji" [Asakusa Kannon] in Tokyo and Tsu Kannon in Mie Prefecture. Founded by "Noshin-Shonin" in 1324, the principal image of "Kannon" [wooden statue carved by Kobo Daishi (Kukai), Buddhist monk] is enshrined at the Main Temple.
Osu Kannon, located in the heart of Nagoya City, welcomes numerous persons every year. On "Setsubun", February 3rd, festival is held to welcome spring, a parade of "Shichifukujin" [The Seven Deities of Good Fortune] on a "Takarabune" [Treasure Ship] float attracts crowds.

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Osu Kannon [Temple] was originally built in Osu-go, Nagaoka, Owari [present day: Osu, Hashima City, Gifu Prefecture] by Noshin-Shonin. On the founding of the temple, it is said that Noshin-Shonin shut himself up at the Ise Jingu for one hundred days to pray to be told which "Kannon" will be the most gracious for persons to be given salvation and receive blessings to be enriched at the temple. One night, his prayer was finally received by the "Kami" [deity] and was told that "Kanzeon" [Avalokitesvara] is the most gracious, then a wooden sculpture of "Kanzeon Kannon" was carved by "Kobo Daishi" [Kukai] and was passed on to "Osu Kannnon” [Temple].
Over the years, "The Age of the Warring States" started, and Oda Nobunaga has donated 500 of his temple estates and Tokugawa Ieyasu relocated the temple to restore the City of Nagoya.

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The Osu Kannon [Temple] district flourished when the temple was replaced in 1612. Before the replacement of the temple, the center of Owari region used to be the Kiyosu Castle, the residence of Oda Nobunaga, and the surrounding castle town. When Tokugawa Ieyasu decided to construct a castle in Nagoya, everything was replaced out of Kiyosu. Amid this great transition, the area where Osu Kannon [Temple] is currently situated was designated a place where many shrines and temples would be concentrated, and after Osu Kannon Temple was relocated, the area developed as "Monzen-nakamachi" [Temple Town].
Today, this area is renowned for numerous stores selling Buddhist altars and other related goods, and the traditions and techniques cultivated to date are strongly preserved.

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"Osu Shotengai" [Osu Shopping Arcade] has prospered along with Nagoya and is still a hive of activity to this date. "Osu Shotengai" [Osu Shopping Arcade] consists of eight streets, starting with "Osu Kannon Temple Street", with about 1,200 retailers on the streets, from home electrical appliances, vintage clothing, to food and drinks. In the late 1970s, major home appliance retailers and computer stores started to open their doors in "Osu Shotengai" [Osu Shopping Arcade] and became known as one of the three largest electronic towns in Japan. Today, numerous retailers are selling products from overseas, and restaurants serve international dishes, which is why Osu earned a reputation of a cosmopolitan melting pot of culture, fashion, and gourmet. The sheer diversity and inclusive nature of the town, where all nationalities, generations and genders coexist, has led to dubbing it "Gottani [mixed pot] Shotengai" [shopping arcade].