4.2 (6066)Buddhist TempleHistorical LandmarkTourist AttractionHistorical PlacePlace Of WorshipAssociation Or OrganizationPoint Of InterestEstablishment
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.
Traveler reviews
Kita-in Temple is a beautiful and historically rich Buddhist temple with a very peaceful atmosphere. The temple complex is quite large and walking through the grounds feels like stepping back into another era of Japan. The architecture is impressive, especially the traditional wooden halls and the striking red pagoda that stands out beautifully against the surrounding trees.
What makes this place special is the sense of calm you feel while exploring the different areas of the temple. The gardens are well maintained and the overall atmosphere is quiet and reflective, making it a perfect place for a slow walk and to appreciate traditional Japanese culture.
The temple is also historically significant, with connections to the Edo period and structures that were relocated from Edo Castle after the great fire. It adds an extra layer of depth knowing that some of the buildings here have such an important place in Japanese history.
One of the most interesting parts of the temple grounds is the famous area with hundreds of small stone statues, each with unique expressions and poses. It’s fascinating to walk among them and notice the different details.
Overall, Kita-in Temple is a wonderful place to visit if you enjoy history, architecture, and peaceful temple environments. It offers a nice balance between cultural significance and quiet beauty, making it a memorable stop when exploring Kawagoe.
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.
Very relaxed place, managed to get an interaction from one of the locals, the gentleman very kindly read and translated our fortunes.
Bonus, if you looking for good quality Daruma dolls right at the small kiosk in the main entrance they have the best ones I saw in 2 weeks of searching for very decent prices.
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
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.
