Kitain Temple

sightseeing

Kitain Temple thrived after the appointment of Sōjō Tenkai, entrusted by Ieyasu Tokugawa, in 1612. Most of the temple burnt down in Kawagoe's great fire in 1638, but was renovated during the Edo period by the third generation shogun Iemitsu, who transferred the "Iemitsu Birth Room" and "Kasuga Bunkachi Makeup Room" to the temple from the Edo castle. In addition, the entire area was designated as an important cultural property. One of Japan’s three major arhat, “Gohyakurakan”, can be seen here.

Basic Information

Location
Kawagoe Kosenbamachi 1-20-1
TEL
049-222-5566 (Kawagoe-City Station Tourist Information Office)

Business hours / Fee

Regular holiday
・December 25th to January 8th
・February 2nd・3rd
・April 2nd to the 5th
・Late April・Early May・The day before and after of the Treasure Special Exhibition
・August 16th
※On other circumstances such as when there are events within the temple, visits may be cancelled.
Fee
Adults (Older than high school) 400 yen / Elementary・Middle School Students 200 yen

How to get there

Public transport
Get off at either “Kawagoe Station” of JR・Tobu Tojo Line or “Hon-Kawagoe Station” of Seibu Shinjuku Line then take the Koedo Loop Bus to “Kita-in” and you will immediately reach your destination.
Car
About 15 minutes from "Kawagoe" Interchange of Kan-Etsu Expressway
Parking
Free:
Fee: 133 spaces (500 yen)

Map

Nearby spots

500 Rakan Statues of Kitain
500 Rakan Statues of Kitain

"Rakan," or "Arhat," is a Buddhist term signifying a spiritual practitioner, or high priest, who has attained enlightenment. The 500 Rakan of the Kitain Temple are one of Japan's three great Rakan and took 50 years to complete. The 538 stone statues are famous for expressing a wide range of human emotions and for each having a unique action. According to legend, if you visit at night and touch the heads of the statues, only one will be warm, and it is said that this statue's face resembles the sculptor's deceased parent.

Kawagoe City Industrial Tourist Center (Koedo Kurari)
Kawagoe City Industrial Tourist Center (Koedo Kurari)

Koedo Kurari is an improved facility retaining the atmosphere of the original Kyūkagamiyama brewery, established in 1875. The brewery, built through the Meiji, Taisho, and Shōwa periods, was remodeled and designated as one of Japan's registered tangible cultural properties along with the three warehouses: souvenir shop (Meijigura), Restaurant (Taishōgura), Japanese sake shop (Shōwagura), and meeting space (Tenjigura).

Old Yamazaki Family Villa
Old Yamazaki Family Villa

The Old Yamazaki Family Villa was built as a retreat for Kashichi Yamazaki, the 5th generation of Kameya, a long-established confectionery store of Kawagoe. The building and other components have been recognized as having national cultural significance; the main house, tearoom, and the benches of the waiting room were designated as tangible cultural properties of the city in 2000, a portion of the building was donated to the city in 2006, the garden was registered as the national monument (place of scenic beauty) in 2011, and the main building was designated as a National Important Cultural Property in 2019. The garden of the former Yamazaki family's villa is also recognized as a valuable example of a Japanese-style garden, including a tea ceremony room designed by Katsuya Hoka along with Japanese and Western-style buildings, and is highly regarded as “a contribution to the development of landscape gardening culture."

Kawagoe City Nakacho Information Center
Kawagoe City Nakacho Information Center

Situated at the Nakacho intersection, the entrance to the Kurazukuri district, the Kawagoe City Nakacho Information Center is filled with useful information and housed in a traditional warehouse! You can also connect to their free Wi-Fi and use their baggage storage service (for a fee).

Renkeiji Temple
Renkeiji Temple

Founded in 1549 by Renkei Daishi, the mother of Kawagoe Castle Lord Masashige Daidoji. Later during the Tokugawa period, it was officially recognized as a temple and made into a school for Buddhist monks, and many Buddhist monks were educated there. In addition, the temple enshrines Fukurokuju, one of the 7 lucky gods of Kawagoe. Events are held at the temple on a regular basis.

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