Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple was founded in the Heian period when the monk Kancho Daishosho, under Emperor Suzaku’s imperial order, enshrined a statue of Fudo Myoo (consecrated by Kobo Daishi) to pray for the pacification of the rebellion of Taira no Masakado. The principal image, Fudo Myoo, is regarded as a highly efficacious statue carved and consecrated by Kobo Daishi Kukai himself, and it has long attracted many worshippers. The temple’s long-running Goma fire ritual (Goma Kito), continued from the time of its founding to the present, involves offering special wooden prayer sticks into the flames to purify wishes and pray for their fulfillment, and many people still visit to pray for their wishes to come true. A recommendation is the morning Goma ritual held from 6:00 a.m., when the shops along the approach are still preparing; in the crisp, clear air, the ritual begins with gagaku court music and feels especially solemn—worth experiencing at least once. Access: about a 10-minute walk from JR Narita Station. Naritasan Park, famous for autumn leaves, is also within the grounds, so it’s nice to visit the park after observing the ritual.