Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, Narita, Japan

Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, Narita, Japan  

Naritasan is a time-honored temple with a history of over 1000 years since its foundation. On the temple grounds, there are five buildings designated as important cultural properties. Komyodo, the oldest building among them, was built in 1701, when Naritasan became popular along with Kabuki and one of the temples representative of the Japanese style.

The next oldest building is a three-story pagoda, which was built in 1712, and in 1830, a Deva gate was constructed. An elaborately carved Shakado (a hall where a statue of Shakyamuni is enshrined) was built in 1858 and Gakudo, which houses a number of votive picture tablets dedicated by celebrities of the Edo period, was completed in 1861, when Sakamoto Ryoma played a key role as a leader of the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Thanks to carpenters specialized in temples and shrines in the Edo period, these buildings, some of which are over 300 years old, still exist and are appreciated by visitors. We hope you come and appreciate the temple history of over 1000 years and fully enjoy the atmosphere reminiscent of the Edo period on the vast grounds of Naritasan.

Epic Japan Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound