Seiya-san Muryōshuji Kita-in (Japanese: 星野山無量寿寺喜多院), also named Kita-in (喜多院) is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Kawagoe (川越) in Saitama (崎玉), Japan. Kita-in has over 1,200 years of history, which makes it a popular tourist attraction in Kawagoe.
Kita-in is also known informally as the Kawagoe Daishi (川越大師), it is noted for its main hall, which was part of the original Edo (江戶) Castle.
Kita-in is believed to have been founded in 830 under the orders of Emperor Junna (淳和), with the name Muryōju-ji (無量寿寺), Muryōju being another name for Amitabha Buddha, the main object of worship.
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Next to the entrance of Kita-in stand the statues of 540 disciples of Buddha known as the 500 rakan (五百羅漢). Carved between 1782 and 1825, they portray the disciples in a great variety of positions, so that no two are alike.
Kita-in achieved its greatest fame and influence under the priest Tenkai (天海) and was patronized by the first three Tokugawa (德川) shōguns during 16th and 17th centuries.
Kita-in is clean and peaceful, even if Buddhism and antiques are not your cup of tea, it is still an ideal place for taking a walk.
