7 days in Japan- 10/20/2023-10/26/2023

Day 2- A walk around Kawagoe -10/21/2023

Kitain Temple

We are now back to the main street and headed to Kitain Temple

We passed by the entrance Shinto Toshogu Shrine

The shrine enshrines the spirit of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the first Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Thee shrine was founded in 1617.

There are two humongous trees at the entrance

Lots of flags on each side of the walkway to the shrine

The shrine was closed when we got there so we only saw the outside.

It is very colorful!

Closer view of the flags.

We passed by many apartments and housed on our way to the temple

The temple is located inside a park

Lots of trees around in this park

A majestic tree in the center on a square.

Side view of the main hall at Kitain temple

Kitain is a Buddhist temple and known for the Jikeido main hall, which was part of the original Edo Castle.  The temple is also famous for the statues of 540 Rakan (Buddha statues).

Jikeido hall is dedicated to Jikei Daishi Ryogen (Gensan Daishi) , the 18th head priest of Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei . It is affectionately known as Daishido and is also called Shionden

Large square around the temple

Kawagoe's Kitain Temple is over 1,200 years old and played a major role during the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.Today, Kitain Temple holds great significance for the faithful. Jie Daishi, one of the head priests enshrined here, was believed to have magical powers to ward off evil. Worshipers visit the temple in order to pray for protection.

Huge incent burner at the bottom of the stairs

Colorful flags.

People lining up to pray at the main hall of Kitain Temple with Jikei Daishi enshrined in the center.

Water Purification area.  People usually clean their hands and rinse their mouths before entering the temple

Water purification tank.

A beautiful statue of a two headed dragon on top of the water tank.

Tahoto Pagoda and water purification area.

Tahoto Pagoda was built in 1639 on top of an ancient tomb between Sanmon Gate and Hie Shrine . Afterwards, as it became dilapidated, in 1910 it was relocated to the center of the passageway between Jikeido and the entrance to the Kuri entrance. However, since it had been extensively remodeled when it was relocated, it was moved to its current location in 1973, dismantled and repaired, and restored.  The pagoda is about 43 ft. high and has a square three-way roof with a traditional tile roof. It shows the characteristics of the Tahoto pagoda from the early Edo period

Dressing room for Kasugo-no-tsubone

Clover view of the entrance.

Stairs going up to a burial mound built in the early 7th century.  Up above is the Jigendo Hall

Jigendo Hall is dedicated to Jigen Daishi Tenkai

This hall was built in 1645 by order of Lord Tokugawa Iemitsu , and a wooden statue of Tenkai Sojo was enshrined here.

It is small hall with 3 rooms

NEXT... Kitain temple continuation