Toyohashi City Fumonji Temple, Aichi Prefecture A first since the temple was founded! Please support the renovation of the “Buddha Statue Hall (Cultural Property Storage Facility)”

[Toyohashi City] [Fumonji Temple, Aichi Prefecture] A first attempt since the temple’s founding! Please support the renovation of the Buddhist Statue Hall (Cultural Property Storage Facility) ​
Toyohashi City Press release: October 28, 2025 To Members of the Press [Fumonji Temple, Aichi Prefecture] A first attempt since the temple’s founding! Please support the renovation of the Buddhist Statue Hall (Cultural Property Storage Facility)
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Image (Exterior) Toyohashi City, together with Aichi Prefecture, is providing accompanying subsidies for the renovation of the Buddhist Statue Hall, which protects Buddhist statues, at Fumonji Temple, based on the Agency for Cultural Affairs’ “Subsidy for the Improvement of Disaster Prevention Facilities for National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties.” We want to pass on this precious cultural asset to future generations! Fumonji Temple, located in Unya-cho, Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, is attempting crowdfunding for the first time to renovate its cultural property storage facility, which is in urgent need of earthquake resistance and air conditioning to cope with the high temperatures and humidity of summer. Cultural assets are precious national assets that were born and nurtured throughout Japan’s long history and have been preserved and passed down to the present day. (Excerpt from the Agency for Cultural Affairs website) Fumonji Temple owns many cultural assets, including the Wooden Seated Shaka Nyorai Statue, Wooden Seated Amida Nyorai Statue, and Wooden Standing Statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, all designated as Important Cultural Properties by the National Government, and the Wooden Standing Statues of Acala and Two Children, all designated as Prefectural Cultural Properties. We offer opportunities for everyone to view these cultural assets, including Buddhist statues, crafts, and ancient documents, which have been carefully passed down over the years. During events such as the Momiji Festival, the cultural property storage facility is open to the public for special viewing, allowing many people to experience the charm of these cultural properties. However, with the aging of the cultural property storage facility, which was built in 1970, renovation became an urgent necessity, and renovation and maintenance work will be carried out from this fiscal year through fiscal year 2027. Two Reasons Why Renovation is Necessary 1. Lack of earthquake resistance and deterioration of concrete related to the building’s structure The current cultural property storage facility was built in 1970, and 55 years have passed since then. It has been confirmed that its earthquake resistance is insufficient compared to current earthquake resistance standards. In addition, deterioration of the concrete frame has progressed in parts, making structural repairs urgently necessary. 2. With summer temperatures becoming hot and humid, the lack of air conditioning poses problems in terms of preserving and safely managing cultural properties. Since its construction in 1970, the Cultural Property Storage Facility has used a natural ventilation system without air conditioning. However, due to recent climate change, such as increased summer temperatures and humidity, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a desirable preservation environment for cultural properties. In addition, because the museum consists of a single room without an anteroom or vestibule, it is susceptible to the effects of outside air when on public display, and the interior temperature often becomes extremely high. There is a need to create a stable exhibition environment and an environment where visitors can view the museum in peace. Against this background, in order to ensure that the valuable cultural assets held at Fumonji Temple are passed on to future generations, it is essential to “improve the preservation environment” and “redevelop the public access environment.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/25583/829/25583-829-b668892a3cfdeffb6c431f45f557bd84-1599×1059.jpg Subsidies have been approved! However, the estimated out-of-pocket costs are estimated at approximately 110 million yen. This project is eligible for subsidies from the national, prefectural, and municipal governments. As of September 1st, the following subsidy amounts for this fiscal year have been decided. (Reference) 〇Total project cost (FY 2020 to 2020)…approximately 190 million yen 〇Reiwa 7th subsidy project Eligible expenses: ¥11,762,000 – National subsidy: ¥8,105,000 – Prefectural subsidy: ¥1,248,000 – City subsidy: ¥1,204,000 (Total subsidy: ¥10,557,000) 〇Subsidy amount for FY2026…to be determined 〇 Estimated out-of-pocket expenses for owners: Approximately 110 million yen In addition, subsidies will continue to be provided for the fiscal year 2026 project. However, the out-of-pocket expenses for Fumonji Temple, the project’s main owner, are expected to be extremely high at approximately 110 million yen. Therefore, Fumonji Temple has decided to try crowdfunding to cover part of the project costs. Three redevelopment initiatives aim to improve both the preservation and public access of cultural assets The Cultural Property Storage Facility Redevelopment Project will involve three major initiatives. Achieving each of these will lead to the resolution of current issues. 1. Improve earthquake resistance and extend the building’s lifespan through earthquake-resistant renovations The current cultural property storage facility is a raised-floor structure with independent columns, and the column bases are not earthquake-resistant under current earthquake resistance standards. Therefore, earthquake-resistant walls will be added between the column bases to ensure the necessary earthquake resistance and reinforce the structure. In addition, as the concrete structure has partially neutralized, concrete neutralization repairs will be carried out using an impregnating material application method and the exterior walls will be repainted to extend the building’s lifespan. 2. Improving the Cultural Property Preservation and Public Display Environment By renovating the interior, fixtures, and various facilities of the cultural property storage facility, we aim to stabilize the temperature and humidity environment throughout the year. We will renovate the interior materials to provide insulation, moisture resistance, and humidity control, update the storage doors and inner doors, and install minimal air conditioning equipment to create a preservation environment suitable for cultural properties. After renovations, the facility will be converted into a public storage facility that will be open to the public at all times, and exhibition equipment such as panels will be completely renewed. To protect cultural assets, earthquake-resistant devices and fire and security equipment will also be installed. 3. Construct a new extension to expand functions related to the preservation and utilization of cultural assets A new anteroom and vestibule will be constructed in the cultural asset storage facility, and an exhibition space will be provided in the anteroom, thereby expanding the additional functions related to the preservation and utilization of cultural assets. At the same time, we plan to establish a new, private storage facility to secure storage space, which is currently insufficient.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/25583/829/25583-829-40c3e210421f4a6d64b31fcfd5b5628b-3000×2109.jpg 【What we want to become in the future】 Aiming to become “Fumonji Temple, where history and culture can be felt close to you” After undergoing the first renovation since its construction in 1970, we aim to properly preserve the cultural assets and make Fumonji Temple “an opportunity to attract visitors to Toyohashi City” and “a place where people can feel close to history and culture.” We look forward to your support! Details of the “Fumonji Buddhist Statue Hall (Cultural Property Storage Facility) Redevelopment Project Crowdfunding” All donations received will be used to cover the cost of the renovation project. ・Target amount: 7 million yen ・Implementation period: Monday, October 20, 2020, 9:00 a.m. to Tuesday, December 16, 23:00 ・How to apply for donation: 1. Internet 2. Check in at Fumonji Temple ・Major Reward Gifts We also have special rewards available for visiting Toyohashi City after the redevelopment project, such as a tour led by the head priest of the Fumonji Buddhist Statue Hall. Also available are original T-shirts, original socks, a gift set of Toyohashi Roadside Station’s carefully selected “Toyohashi Specialties,” and tickets to the Buddhist Statue Hall.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/25583/829/25583-829-ab26f34bcb89d097bd0a9d9322f35ec0-1068×660.jpg Fumonji Temple Open-Viewing Tour
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/25583/829/25583-829-ec3433e22954a410f647389d4cbf62ce-1068×660.jpg The Four Heavenly Kings of “Paper-cut Goshuin” Stamps, Hand-Cut by the Former Chief Priest
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/25583/829/25583-829-904ebfd89b5bc44ef364b10ef408aaf5-1068×660.jpg [Fumonji Temple x Mashuroba] Tamonten Contrary Socks “Butsushita” ・For more information on crowdfunding, please click here.
https://readyfor.jp/projects/fumonji1300_2025
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