Situated in Saitama prefecture, just an hour out of Tokyo, is Kitain Temple. To reach Kawagoe from Tokyo, take a train from Ikebukuro station. Kitain is a beautiful Buddhist temple, and the head temple for the Tendai Sect in Buddhism for the Kantō region. It was originally built in the year 830, but became recognised as the main temple of Kawagoe in the 17th Century when the powerful and influential Tokugawa Samurai family made the temple one of their important family temples. 

One of the most important and exciting facts about the temple is that it is home to the only original remaining buildings and structures from the original Edo castle in Tokyo! This is because most of the temple was destroyed by a large fire in 1638, and parts of Edo castle were donated to help rebuild the temple by the Tokugawa Shogun at the time. The Head Priest of Kitain became very popular and friendly with the first three Shogun of the Edo period, which is why they were so generous in helping to rebuild the temple. it was the third Shogunate, Tokugawa Iemitsu who ordered several palace buildings to be moved from Tokyo to Kawagoe! 

Visitors can enjoy walking around the temple grounds, rooms and main worship hall. One of the old Castle rooms is decorated with a beautiful floral ceiling where it is believed Tokugawa Iemitsu was born. When the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu passed away, his body was transported here for a memorial service and was laid to rest for 4 days. There are three temples that are considered the most important and sacred for the Tokugawa Shogunate, those are in Nikko, Shizuoka, and here in Kawagoe! So if you are a fan of Samurai history, Kitain Temple is a great place to visit.

Kitain is also home to the Gohyaku Raikan statues. 540 statues are said to be here, all representing the disciples of Buddha who have reached nirvana. They were carved from 1782 to 1825, and each of the statues has its own unique facial expression, take time to study them when you visit!

Want to experience the Kawagoe for yourself?

1 Day Tour

Day Trip to Kawagoe : Experience the ‘Little Edo’ of Japan
Period	All Year Round
Time	09:00 – 16:45
Meeting Place	Inside Ikebukuro Train Station
Adult Rate	¥17,800
Child Rate	¥11,000