Kawasaki Daishi

神奈川県

Kanto's foremost warding temple — top-three New Year pilgrimage in Japan

Founded

1128

Type

Temple

Visited

Want to go

Access

8 min walk from Keikyu Kawasaki-Daishi Station

4-48 Daishi-cho, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki

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Info

Temple

Founded 1128

898 years

Enshrined Deity

弘法大師空海

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Founder

Hirama Kanejo

Buddhist Sect

Shingon (Chizan branch)

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Overview

The head temple of the Shingon Chizan sect, formally known as Kongosan Konjo-in Heiken-ji. Founded in 1128 when a fisherman named Hirama Kanejo enshrined a statue of Kobo Daishi that he had pulled from the sea. It is the most celebrated yakuyoke (evil-warding) temple in the Kanto region, drawing millions of visitors for Hatsumode (New Year's worship) each year, consistently ranking among the top t…

Origins

Founded in 1128 when fisherman Hirama Kanejo pulled a wooden statue of Kobo Daishi from the sea and, together with the monk Sonken from Mount Koya, built a hall to enshrine it. The temple became renowned for its power to ward off evil, and during the Edo period it received patronage from the Tokugaw…

Pilgrimage Courses

Kanto 36 Fudo Pilgrimage

Tokaido 53 Stations (Kanagawa)

0 / 6 spots

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Divine Benefits

Healing & Longevity

Warding Off Evil

Safe Travel

Recovery from illness, bodily wellness, peace of mind. Especially efficacious at Yakushi and Kannon temples.

祭
Festivals & Events
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8月

Kawasaki Daishi Obon Service

The Obon service at Kawasaki Daishi (Heiken-ji), the nationally renowned Shingon Buddhist temple famous for warding off evil. Grand memorial rites to honor ancestral spirits are held during Obon at this major temple situated near the Tama River, marking a key summer event for local residents.

もっと詳しく · 8

記
Related Articles
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記

Kawasaki Daishi New Year Visit: Etiquette and Local Specialties

Kawasaki Daishi ranks among Japan's top New Year pilgrimage sites. Learn proper etiquette for this Shingon temple, plus tips for enjoying the famous kuzu-mochi and tontoko candy without getting lost in the crowd.

manners

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記

How to Draw Omikuji: Meanings from Daikichi to Kyo and Proper Etiquette

Omikuji are not mere fortune slips but messages from the deity. Learn the correct order of fortunes from Daikichi to Kyo, whether to tie or keep your slip, and how to respond when you draw a bad result.

manners

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記

Fudo Myoo: The Fire and Sword of Esoteric Buddhism

Fudo Myoo is the wrathful manifestation of Dainichi Nyorai, the cosmic Buddha of esoteric Buddhism. With a sword in his right hand to sever delusions and a rope in his left to guide sentient beings, he stands at the heart of the Mikkyo tradition brought to Japan by Kukai. This guide covers his iconography, the Five Great Myoo, and key temples dedicated to his worship.

basics

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もっと詳しく · 6

人
Related Figures
— 1

Kūkai

Founder of Shingon Buddhism / Kobo Daishi

Age 354 at founding (posthumous)

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Kawasaki Daishi was founded in 1128 around a wooden statue of Kobo Daishi Kukai that a fisherman pulled up from the sea, which became the temple's principal image.

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あ

あきとし

2026/5/1

途中にあったしょうづかの婆さん。こちらは、三途の川にいたお婆さんで。拝むと歯や美容にいいとのことで、拝んできました。

あ

あきとし

2026/5/1

境内にはラグジュアリーな池とか、強そうな像が！

あ

あきとし

2026/5/1

金山神社のかなまら祭りの時に。見どころ沢山。境内では色々な屋台が出店していました。

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Visiting Information

Hours

Main Hall opening hours: 5:30 AM–6:00 PM (Apr–Sep); 6:00 AM–5:30 PM (Oct–Mar, except the 21st: 5:30 AM–5:30 PM). Open until 9:00 PM on the 20th of each month.

Admission

No admission fee found; grounds and main hall are free to visit

As of 2026-07-19. Subject to change.

Related Spots

Gokoku-ji

Head temple of the Shingon Chizan-ha sect and a parallel major Shingon prayer temple in the Kantō region.

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Also Worth Visiting

Inage Jinja

Kawasaki's guardian shrine with over 1,000 years of history — known for the grand Sanno Festival of Kawasaki-juku

2.3km

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