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Kita-in Temple: A Journey Through History

Explore a historic Buddhist temple in Kawagoe with Edo Castle remnants and unique Rakan statues, offering a glimpse into Japan's rich past.

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Kita-in Temple in Kawagoe is a historic Buddhist temple with structures relocated from Edo Castle. It's known for its 540 Rakan statues and connection to the Tokugawa shogunate, offering a unique glimpse into Japan's past.

A brief summary to Kawagoe Kita-in Temple

  • Monday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Thursday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Friday 9 am-4:30 pm
  • Saturday 9 am-4:50 pm
  • Sunday 9 am-4:50 pm

Local tips

  • Visit the Rakan statues in the evening for a more mystical experience.
  • Check out the beautiful Japanese garden behind the Tokugawa buildings.
  • Combine your visit with a stroll through Kawagoe's old merchant streets.
  • Visit Senba Toshogu Shrine, located just south of Kita-in Temple.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Hon-Kawagoe Station, Kita-in Temple is approximately a 1 km walk. Exit the station and walk north. Follow the signs towards Kita-in Temple. The walk takes about 12 minutes.

  • Public Transport

    From Kawagoe Station, take the Tobu bus to Kita-in Temple. The bus ride is approximately 8 minutes and costs ¥400. Alternatively, from Hon-Kawagoe Station, take the Seibu bus to Kita-in Temple. The bus ride is approximately 6 minutes and costs ¥130-¥180. Note that the Seibu bus operates only once a week on Sundays.

  • Taxi

    A taxi from Kawagoe Station to Kita-in Temple takes approximately 2 minutes and costs ¥1,200-¥1,500. A taxi from Hon-Kawagoe Station to Kita-in Temple takes approximately 1 minute and costs ¥1,000 - ¥1,200.

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Discover more about Kawagoe Kita-in Temple

Kita-in Temple, also known as Kawagoe Daishi, is a significant Buddhist temple in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture. Founded in 830 by the monk Ennin, it gained prominence during the Edo period under the patronage of the Tokugawa shogunate. The temple is the head temple of the Tendai Sect in the Kanto Region. One of Kita-in's most distinctive features is that it houses the only remaining palace buildings of the former Edo Castle. After a fire destroyed most of Kita-in in 1638, Tokugawa Iemitsu ordered several palace buildings to be moved from Edo Castle to Kawagoe. These structures, which survived the Great Kanto Earthquake and World War II, include reception rooms, a study, a kitchen, and even the room where Iemitsu was believed to have been born. Another highlight is the Gohyaku Rakan, a collection of 540 stone statues of Buddha's disciples. Carved between 1782 and 1825, each statue has a unique facial expression and posture, reflecting various aspects of human experience. Visitors enjoy wandering among the statues, finding their favorites, and leaving coins for good luck. Kita-in also houses the Semba Toshogu Shrine, one of the three most important Toshogu shrines in Japan. It was built to commemorate a memorial service held at Kita-in for Tokugawa Ieyasu. The shrine features notable artifacts, including paintings and the Tokugawa family emblem.

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