HomeItinerariesToursBlogDay GuidesLocations
Cart
Trip To Japan
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

About Trip To Japan

Company

  • About Us
  • Careers
    New!
  • Blog
  • Travel Guide
  • All tours
  • All itineraries
  • Groups

Partners

  • Tour operator signup
  • Hotel signup
  • Creator signup
    New!

Contact us

+81 3-4578-2152

info@triptojapan.com

Address

Takanawa Travel K.K.,
Kitashinagawa 5-11-1
Shinagawa, Tokyo, Japan

Best Locations To Visit

FukuokaHakoneHiroshimaHokkaidoKawasakiKobeKyotoMiyajimaMt. FujiNaganoNagoyaNaoshimaNaraNaritaNikkoOkinawaOsakaTakayamaTokyoTsumagoSee All Locations
Ribbon illustration

License

Certified Travel License
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office: No.3-8367
Japan Travel

QualityTermsPrivacyCommerce Disclosure
© Takanawa Travel

  1. Places
  2. Saitama
  3. Kitain Temple
A traditional Japanese pagoda with a tiled roof and intricate wooden details stands surrounded by bare trees and a fence on a clear, sunny day.
A stone pathway lined with rows of weathered stone statues leads to a central monument, surrounded by lush, green trees in a serene outdoor setting.
A traditional Japanese temple gate with ornate roof tiles, wooden carvings, and a red entrance, surrounded by residential buildings and bare trees under a cloudy sky.
A traditional Japanese pagoda with red wooden beams and ornate roof details stands surrounded by green trees and a red fence on a sunny day.
A young woman with long hair, wearing a black jacket, skirt, tights, and a backpack, stands alone in a sunlit park with bare trees and people in the background.
A traditional Japanese pagoda with a tiled roof and intricate wooden details stands surrounded by bare trees and a fence on a clear, sunny day.

Kitain Temple

4.2 (5977)Buddhist TempleTourist AttractionHistorical LandmarkHistorical PlacePlace Of WorshipPoint Of InterestAssociation Or OrganizationEstablishment

Kitain Temple in Saitama holds deep historical value. Built over a thousand years ago, it offers a unique glimpse into Japan's past. Kitain Temple temple is famed for its connection to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. Several structures from Edo Castle were relocated to Kitain, making it a rare site outside Tokyo to house parts of the original castle.

Visitors can explore the Gohyaku Rakan, 540 stone statues of Buddha's disciples, each with a distinct expression. The temple grounds include the oldest wooden building in Saitama, known as the Former Niomon Gate. The Shogun's reception rooms and other buildings reflect Edo-period architecture.

Kitain Temple also hosts an annual daruma doll market every January, attracting many visitors. Daruma dolls are symbols of perseverance and good luck. With beautiful gardens and historical treasures, Kitain Temple offers a peaceful retreat and a peek into Japan's rich cultural heritage.


Hours
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:50 PM
Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Phone
+81 49-222-0859
Website
kitain.net


The area

Address
Japan, 〒350-0036 Saitama, Kawagoe, Kosenbamachi, 1-chōme−20−1

Hours

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:50 PM
Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Phone

+81 49-222-0859

Website

kitain.net

What other travelers are saying about Kitain Temple

Went to the Daruma fest. Enjoyed street food. I queued for the fortune telling but realized I do not even understand the language. Got tiny Darumas instead to inspire me to reach my goals this year. 500 yen each - i learned later they sell for 440 in Jimbocho, but it is more fun to get them at the fair. (Jimbocho has other claim on my wallet but my first Daruma fair i gotta get a Daruma.) Highly recommend.
Profile
G Bean
Jan 19, 2026
I went late in the day and it was very quiet and there was no crowd. It is a beautiful temple area with a lot of history. I found the 500 statues, each with their own personality, to be the highlight of the visit. The entrance took a little time to find because I didn't know it is in a dark corner next to the snack shop. The ticket to see the statues includes the museum...or the other way around. The museum has a lot of interesting items in the actual rooms that were used. For non-Japanese speakers, like me, not everything is marked in English so i had to use my phone to translate for me. Not a problem anymore. Taking the bus was easy but check the schedule since it doesn't come too often. This is a good place to visit while in Kawagoe.
Kita-in Temple is a significant Buddhist temple. It is a major historical and cultural landmark, with a fascinating history that ties it directly to the powerful Tokugawa shogunate. But Kita-in is not just a historical site; it's also a vibrant center of local life. Kita-in Temple is easily accessible and a must-visit for anyone exploring Kawagoe, providing a tangible link to the country's feudal past and a serene escape from the bustling city.
Nice, peaceful, and quiet temple, not far from the station. It did not take us more than 30 minutes to completely visit the temple ground but more than that to sit down and enjoy the beautiful sceneries.
Nice big temple. You have to pay 400 to go inside. You also cannot take pictures inside which is normal. Nice that i was like able to walk on a japanese temple feel environment. Pictures are trees as seen from inside

Nearby attractions to see

Toki no Kane Time Bell Tower

Toki no Kane Time Bell Tower

A large, bright orange torii gate stands at the entrance to a shrine, surrounded by tall trees and buildings, with a few people walking beneath it on a paved path.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Yono Park

Yono Park

Jionji Temple

Jionji Temple

Nearby attractions to see

Toki no Kane Time Bell Tower

Toki no Kane Time Bell Tower

A large, bright orange torii gate stands at the entrance to a shrine, surrounded by tall trees and buildings, with a few people walking beneath it on a paved path.

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Yono Park

Yono Park

Jionji Temple

Jionji Temple


More about Kitain Temple from our blog

Icons of Japan

Best Time to Visit Japan: Seasonal Trip Guide

April 20, 2026
Traveling to Japan Alone

Traveling to Japan Alone? Your Ultimate Japan Solo Trip Guide

March 5, 2026
A modern stadium with a distinctive roof design featuring large, white supports. The structure has extensive glass facades and a wide entrance area. The sky is clear, and there are a few people near the entrance and green foliage in the top right corner.

Discover Saitama City, Japan: A Complete Guide for First-Time Visitors

March 5, 2026
Saitama

15 Best Things to Do in Saitama City, Japan

March 5, 2026
Read blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Kitain Temple is significant as it is closely tied to the Tokugawa shogunate. Parts of Edo Castle, once home to the shoguns, were moved here, making it a unique site.

Kitain Temple was founded by Ennin, also known as Jikaku Daishi, in 830 AD. It has a long history spanning over a millennium.

Yes, the temple hosts a daruma doll market in January, where visitors can buy these good luck charms. The market is one of the largest in Japan.

Yes, the temple has several Edo-period artifacts, including buildings like the Shogun's reception rooms and the Former Niomon Gate.

During the market, visitors can purchase daruma dolls, write their wishes, and paint in one eye. Once the wish is fulfilled, they paint in the other eye.
Saitama
Home
Profile
John Tamagawa
Oct 25, 2025
Profile
Cri Bar
Aug 27, 2025
Profile
Lê Quang Kiệt
Dec 2, 2024
Profile
geh dee
Dec 7, 2024