Kitain Temple

51 Review
Photo: Kitain, Kawagoe – saldesalsal / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Kitain (喜多院), located in Kawagoe, is a 9th-century temple renowned for its collection of 540 playful Rakan (statues of Buddha) and for being home to the only remaining buildings of the former Edo Castle.

Overview

Address

1-20-1 Kosenbamachi, Kawagoe, Saitama (Directions)

Hours

8:45 - 16:30 Closed now

Opening Hours

Monday 8:45 - 16:30
Tuesday 8:45 - 16:30
Wednesday 8:45 - 16:30
Thursday 8:45 - 16:30
Friday 8:45 - 16:30
Saturday 8:45 - 16:30
Sunday 8:45 - 16:30
Holidays 8:45 - 16:30

Phone Number

049-222-0859

Website

https://www.kawagoe.com/kitain/english/

Access

Kitain Temple is about a 15-minute walk from Hon-Kawagoe Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line.

Upcoming Events

Kitain Temple Daruma Market 2025

Kitain Temple Daruma Market 2025

Lynda Hogan

Every year on January 3rd several temples around Japan have a Daruma Market. A Daruma Doll is a type of talisman. People come to buy a new Daruma doll for the New Year. The Daruma doll has become one of several symbols of New Year. It is also a symbol of perseverance.

Saitama 3.8k 6

Related Articles

3 articles
Kitain Temple

Kitain Temple

Sophia Warren

The head temple of the Buddhist Tendai Sect, Kitain Temple has origins dating back to 830 A.D. Aside from the temple itself, the grounds are known for remnants of Edo Castle before the 1923 Earthquake as well as 540 inidivudally made Rakan statues.

Saitama 8.4k 2
Kitain Temple Daruma Market 2025

Kitain Temple Daruma Market 2025

Lynda Hogan

Every year on January 3rd several temples around Japan have a Daruma Market. A Daruma Doll is a type of talisman. People come to buy a new Daruma doll for the New Year. The Daruma doll has become one of several symbols of New Year. It is also a symbol of perseverance.

Saitama 3.8k 6

Kitain Temple

5

1 Review
  • 5 star 1
  • 4 star 0
  • 3 star 0
  • 2 star 0
  • 1 star 0

Reviews

Near Kitain Temple

Kaiseki Restaurant Fukutomi

Kaiseki Restaurant Fukutomi

Lynda Hogan

Fukutomi restaurant near Hon-Kawagoe station is a traditional kaiseki restaurant. Servers are dressed in kimono and the food is both delicious and aesthetically pleasing, delivered in an ambiance of a zen garden with indoor bamboo, water features, zen stones and a bridge.

Saitama 2.2k 2
Kocha Romankan Shimano

Kocha Romankan Shimano

Lynda Hogan

Kocha Romankan Shimano Tea room in Koedo Kawagoe is a traditional tea room serving a selection of tea, confectionery and light meals. You can also get coffee too. The servers wear old style British tea lady outfits complete with a white laced apron and head piece.

Saitama 1.9k
Kawagoe Art Cafe Cafe Elevato

Kawagoe Art Cafe Cafe Elevato

Lynda Hogan

Kawagoe Art Cafe Cafe Elevato has a bar on the first floor and a cafe on the second. One of the first buildings on Ichibangai, the main thoroughfare of the Edo period buildings and storehouse district of Kawagoe, it's a nice place to take a break while touring the town.

Saitama 2.0k 3
Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

For those in love, looking for love, and everything in between, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is the perfect place to visit! Not to be confused with Hikawa Shrine in Omiya Ward, Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is said to be about 1,500 years old and enshrines five deities, all of who are a part of the same family. Two pairs of the enshrined deities are married, making the Shinto shrine a popular place to pray for good fortune in marriage and family. The entrance to the shrine is marked by an impressive 15-meter-tall torii gate, which is painted bright orange and said to be the largest wooden torii in Japan. After you pass under the torii, purify yourself at the chozuya by ladling water from the wooden trough onto your hands. The elegant shrine buildings, interwoven with nature, make for a picturesque environment where positive vibes float on every breeze. Peruse the collection of more than 20 shrine structures of varying sizes and shapes and enjoy the lush nature, which features a tranquil stream running through the grounds. Listed below are Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine’s most popular sights and activities.

Saitama 1.1km away
Kawagoe Matsuri 2025

Kawagoe Matsuri 2025

Miyoko Kokubo

Every year on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday of October it's time for the exciting Kawagoe Matsuri. It maintains a history of more than 360 years.

Saitama 23.0k 2
Explore Kawagoe