"Kawasaki-Daishi" Temple is located in the east part of Kawasaki City. The temple was founded in 1128.

You will walk to "Kawasaki-Daishi Temple from Kawasaki-Daishi Station on the Keikyu Daishi Line. The direct distance from Kawasaki-Daishi Station to Kawasaki-Daishi is approximately 300 meters. But, the main gate of Kawasaki-Daishi is located to the opposite side of the station. You will walk approximately 800 meters from the station to "Kawasaki-Daishi" Temple.

To the east side of the temple, "Nakamise", which is the temple town of Kawasaki-Daishi Temple, is located. Many souvenir shops are located in front the temple.

After passing through "Nakamise", you will see the main gate of Kawasaki-Daishi temple.

Kawasaki-Daishi Temple was seriously damaged by bombing during Word War II in 1945. The main gate was rebuilt in 1977. A big lantern is hanging from the gate.

You will see the main hall of Kawasaki-Daishi, after passing through the main gate. When I visited in September, only a few people visited the temple. At the beginning of each year, three million worship-visitors visit Kawasaki-Daishi Temple just for three days (from January 1st to January 3rd).

In the main hall, the statue of Saint "KOBO", fierce Buddhist deity and Ragaraja, Esoteric School Deity of Love, are enshrined.

To the left of the main hall, "Chushoin" and "Fudo-Do" Halls are located, These two halls were rebuilt in 1964 and 1966, respectively.

"Chushoin" has a grden and two ea-ceremony houses. Unfortunately, they seems not open for the public. The "Fudomyou", Acala, which is the principle image of "Fudo-Do" Hall came from Shinshoji Temple in Chiba Prefecture.

To the west, you will see a five-storied pagoda. This pagoda has octagonal-shaped roofs. It is said the octagonal-shape has auspicious meaning in eastern countries.

The pagoda was built in 1984. If you walk furthe to the west, "Fudo-Mon" gate is located. The gate was originally built at the position where the main gate is located. And it was moved to the current location in 1977.

Many slits of paper, "Senjyafuda" are posted on the gate, These splits of "Senjyafuda" give you the impression an old gate, while it is only seventy-four years old.

Before Word War II, there should be many historical temple buildings in "Kawasaki-Daishi" Temple. After all those buildings were destroyed, it took approximately forty years, until these buildings as you will see were rebuilt after the war.

In Japan, many people visit temples and shrines at the beginning of a new year. We call this custome as "Hatsumode". This custom started at Kawasaiki-Daishi Temple in 1899 when Keikyu opened the Daishi Line from Keikyu-Kawasaki to Kawasaki-Daishi. Then it was spread throughout the nation.

How to get there
From Shinagawa in Tokyo, you will take a Keikyu Line to Keikyu-Kawasaki and chanege to a train on the Daishi Line to Kojima-shinden. Kawasaki-Daishi station is the third station from Keikyu-Kawasaki. It will take approximately seven to eoght minutes from the station to "Kawasaki Daishi" Temple.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Kawasaki Post Town
Musashi-Kosugi Area
Minato Mirai in Yokohama
"Yokohama Harbor Area"
Yokohama Yamanote Area