Kawagoe Kita-in Temple
Kita-in Temple: A Journey Through History
Nakain Temple: A Serene Oasis in Kawagoe
Discover Nakain Temple in Kawagoe: a historic Buddhist sanctuary famed for its spring blossoms and as the birthplace of Sayama Tea.
Nakain Temple, nestled in Kawagoe, Saitama, is a historic Buddhist temple dating back to 830 AD. Known for its beautiful gardens, especially in spring with its weeping cherry blossoms, it offers a tranquil escape. Nakain is also recognized as the birthplace of Sayama Tea, marked by a stone monument within its grounds.
Plan your visit
A brief summary to Nakain
Opening times, essentials, and a few local tips gathered into one calmer, easier-to-scan planning section.
Plan your visit
Kosenbamachi, 5 Chome−１５−1, Kawagoe, 5 Chome Kosenbamachi, Saitama, 350-0036, JP
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Getting There
Walking
From Hon-Kawagoe Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line), Nakain Temple is approximately a 12-minute walk. Exit the station and walk east. Follow the main street, turning right at the 'Kosenbamachi' intersection. Continue straight; the temple will be on your left. From Kawagoe Station (JR and Tobu Tojo Lines), the temple is about a 20-minute walk. Head east from the station, passing through the main shopping street. Turn right onto Route 254 and then left onto the smaller road that leads to Nakain. Look for signs indicating the temple.
Public Transport
From Kawagoe Station (JR and Tobu Tojo Lines), take the Koedo Meguri bus and alight at the 'Nakain' bus stop, which is right in front of the temple. The Koedo Loop Bus also stops near Nakain Temple. A one-day pass for the Koedo Loop Bus costs ¥500. A single bus fare is around ¥200.
Local tips
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Visit during late March or early April to witness the breathtaking weeping cherry blossoms in full bloom, especially during the evening illuminations.
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Explore the temple gardens in other seasons as well, with red spider lilies in early Autumn and colorful foliage in late Autumn.
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Don't miss the stone monument that marks Nakain as the birthplace of Sayama Tea in the Kanto region.
Discover more about Nakain
Nakain Temple, or Naka Temple, is a serene Buddhist temple with a rich history dating back to 830 AD. As the middle temple of a three-temple complex, once known as Muryojuji, Nakain holds a significant place in Kawagoe's cultural landscape. While its neighbor Kitain Temple often steals the limelight, Nakain boasts its own unique charm and historical importance.
The temple is particularly celebrated for its stunning gardens, which burst into life each spring with vibrant displays of weeping cherry blossoms. These 'shidare sakura' are illuminated at night, creating a magical atmosphere. However, the gardens offer beauty throughout the year, with colorful tree blossoms and meticulously maintained pine trees in early March, red spider lilies in early Autumn, and colorful foliage in late Autumn.
Nakain Temple is also known as the birthplace of Sayama Tea in the Kanto region. According to legend, the priest Jikaku brought tea seeds from Mt. Hiei and planted them in the Muryojuji gardens. A stone monument within the temple grounds commemorates this claim to fame. Furthermore, Nakain has ties to the novelist Shimazaki Toson, with the Fusentei teahouse on the grounds dedicated to his mother.
A brief summary to Nakain
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