Kitain Temple

Kita-in Temple is a Tendai Buddhist temple located in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. Many of its buildings, including the Birth Room of Tokugawa Iemitsu and the Kasuga no Tsubone Makeup Room, are designated as Important Cultural Properties, and the temple preserves a wealth of valuable artworks and crafts. The spacious grounds feature ponds and moats, and in spring visitors can enjoy cherry blossoms such as weeping sakura and Somei Yoshino. The temple is also famous for its 540 stone statues, including the 500 Rakan, Shaka Nyorai, Amida Nyorai, Jizo Bosatsu, and Monju and Fugen Bodhisattvas, making it possible to spend an entire day appreciating them. According to legend, if you touch the stone statues at night, one will feel warm and is said to resemble the face of one’s deceased parent, highlighting how each statue has a unique expression. Kita-in Temple is also known for the Seven Mysteries of Kita-in, a collection of intriguing legends that add depth to a visit. During the New Year period, the temple attracts around 400,000 worshippers, making it the second most visited temple in Saitama. Access is a 10-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line. The Daruma Market held on January 3, known as Hatsu-Daishi, is also famous and worth checking out when planning a visit.