Kawagoedaishi Kitain Temple

Kita-in Temple, or Kawagoe Daishi, is a Tendai School temple with a long history. It was established in 830 by Jikaku Daishi, En'nin (a priest) upon the order of the Emperor. The temple was destroyed by the 1638 Great Fire of Kawagoe but was reconstructed by the third shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa. There are many artifacts designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan and Tangible Cultural Properties of the Prefecture on the temple grounds such as the Kakuden hall, where Iemitsu was born, and the Jikeido main hall. The gohyaku-rakan (500 status of rakan) is also one of the temple highlights. You can enjoy looking at over 500 statues of rakan and look at their facial expressions. The temple offers an experience in a Buddhist training. The practice of reading sutra is given every month. The benefits of the temple are for general concerns, everyday safety, good business, family well-being, safe journey, and protection from evil, and many people visit the temple throughout the year, particularly for hatsu-daishi new year ceremony in January, the setsubun spring gathering, and the daruma doll festival. It is a 20-minute walk from the JR Kawagoe Station.