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Kitain Temple

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Kitain Temple

A historical and well-known temple of the Tendai sect, known as "Kawagoe Daishi".

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Supervised by :  Kitain Temple

A famous temple of the Tendai sect, founded by Jikaku Daishi in 830. In the early Edo period (1603-1700), the famous high monk Tenkai was the chief priest of this temple.

The temple has many cultural assets, including buildings related to the third shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa, and Lady Kasuga, which were moved from Edo Castle.

When Priest Tenkai, who had gained the confidence of Tokugawa Ieyasu, became the 27th abbot of the temple, he received the generous patronage of the shogunate. Later, the room where Iemitsu was born, called "Kyakuden", and the "Shoin", which was used by Lady Kasuga, the well-known nanny of the third shogun Iemitsu, were moved from Edo Castle.

The Sanmon gate, Belfry gate, and Jigendo, which stand in the spacious precincts of the temple, have been designated as national important cultural properties, and still retain a strong sense of the past. The temple is also home to the "Five Hundred Arhats," one of the three great arhats of Japan. A group of 538 stone Buddhas with various expressions that capture the joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure of human beings.
The temple holds events such as the Daruma Market on New Year's Day, the Setsubun Festival in February, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in spring, and you can enjoy the scenery of the temple in each of the four seasons.

Highlights

  • The temple is closely related to the Tokugawa family and retains the atmosphere of the Edo period.
  • The temple has many cultural assets, including buildings associated with the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu and Lady Kasuga, all of which can be visited.
  • There are 538 Arhats in the temple.
  • The temple holds events such as Daruma Market in New Year, Setsubun Festival in February, and Cherry Blossom Festival in spring.
  • You can enjoy the scenery of the temple in each of the four seasons.

Photos

  • A temple with closely linked to the Tokugawa family

    A temple with closely linked to the Tokugawa family

  • Five hundred and thirty-eight arhats

    Five hundred and thirty-eight arhats

  • Tahoto

    Tahoto

  • Cherry Blossom Festival is also held in spring.

    Cherry Blossom Festival is also held in spring.

Reviews

1

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Stanley Kuo
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    My visit happened to coincide with the annual Kawagoe Festival. As soon as I entered Kitain Temple, I was struck by its peaceful atmosphere, completely different from the lively festival outside. Strolling through the temple grounds and admiring the valuable historic buildings, I felt as though I had temporarily escaped the noise of the streets and, for a moment, traveled back in time to the Edo period.

    What impressed me most during this visit was undoubtedly the famous 500 Rakan statues. The more than 500 stone statues of Buddhist disciples each have different expressions and poses. Some are laughing heartily, some appear lost in thought, and others seem to be chatting casually with the companions beside them. Every statue is carved with lifelike detail, and looking closely reveals even more of its unique character and charm.

    I wonder if you, like me, would try to find one among these more than 500 Rakan statues with whom you feel a special connection, stop for a moment, quietly admire its expression and pose, and experience that indescribable sense of familiarity

Details

Name in Japanese
川越大師 喜多院
Postal Code
350-0036
Address
1-20-1 Kosembamachi, Kawagoe City, Saitama
Telephone
049-222-0859 (Kita-in Secretariat)
Admission
400 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school student
Hours
9:00am - 4:00pm
Closed
No holidays
Access
15-minute walk from Honkawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line, 20-minute walk from Kawagoe Station on the Tobu Tojo Line and JR Kawagoe Line
Official Website
Official Website (English)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa