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"Kita-in Temple" - Former‘Tendaishu’Head Temple of Kanto

Japan / Saitama / Kawagoe /
 temple, buddhism, buddhist temple
The ‘Tendaishu’ is a renowned temple first built by mentor Jikakudaishi in 830. It was officially known as ‘Seiya San Muryojyuji Kita-in’ Temple.
This is known as the temple where Meiso Tenkai Soujyou was the head priest and it possesses many cultural assets such as buildings which were relocated from Edo Castle. It is the most famous temple in Saitama Prefecture renowned nationwide.
When Tenkai Soujyou, who was highly trusted by Tokugawa Ieyasu, became the 27th head priest the temple became specially protected by the regime.
Also relocated was the ‘Kyakuden’, the birthplace of Iemitsu, with murals and sumi drawings more luxurious than those in Edo Castle and ‘Shoin’ a room used for dressing and makeup by the 3rd generation Tokugawa Shogun Iemitsu’s nanny Kasuga no Tsubone.
Many of these historical buildings related to Edo Castle are recognized as important cultural assets. There is also the Senba Toshogu Shrine, one of the three major Toshogu Shrines of Japan, which has a strong association with the Tokugawa Family that built the Edo Period.
Popular among tourists are the 500 Statues of Rakan of the Kita-in Temple, which is one of the three major Rakan of Japan. It has approximately 540 stone buddhas that precisely express human emotions.
Throughout the year, there are many events allowing people to enjoy the different seasons of the temple, such as the ‘Daruma Fair’ on New Year’s Day, ‘Setsubun’ in February and the ‘Cherry Blossom Festival’ in spring.

Address : 1-20-1 Kosemba-machi, Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture
TEL：049-222-0859
Hours : 9:00-16:30
Admission : Adult 400 yen, Student (primary school, junior high school) 200 yen
Holidays : Dec 25 - Jan 8, Feb 2 - 4, April 2 - 6, Aug 16
www.kawagoe.com/Kita-in/ (japanese)
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kita-in
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°55'4"N   139°29'20"E

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This article was last modified 14 years ago