Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Shinshoji is the main attraction in Narita City, a beautiful and historic town from which the airport gets its name. Since its formation in 940 AD, Shinshoji has enjoyed a status as a Japanese spiritual center, thanks in part to its connection with Kukai, founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism.

Today, the temple has approximately 10 million visitors a year, with worshippers and tourists coming from the Kanto area and beyond to pay their respects. If you are coming from Narita International Airport, from the station at terminal 2 and 3, take the Keisei line or JR line for around 10 minutes. Shinshoji temple is less than a 15-minute walk from either JR Narita or Keisei Narita stations along the winding Nakamichi street and through Narita’s Omotesando.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Part of the appeal of Shinshoji Temple is the approach through Narita’s Omotesando shopping street. As well as being a great place to buy Japanese souvenirs, the historic buildings in this charming traditional area help set the scene for Shinshoji’s stunning outer gate. At 15m tall, the gate, made from keyaki wood and often adorned with bright flags of different colors, towers conspicuously ahead of the shrine.

After passing through the main gate you come to a courtyard area and Shinshoji’s Niomon gate. Built in 1830, it is characterized by a huge red paper lantern hanging in the middle. The characters on the lantern say fish market.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Through the Niomon gate you are greeted by the imposing sight of Naritasan Shinshoji’s Main Hall. This is where the Goma prayer, the most important ritual in Shinshoji, is performed. With its roots in Hindu traditions, Goma is an important rite in Shingon Buddhism, a major Buddhist sect in Japan. Goma consists of making an offering of visitors’ prayers in front of a consecrated fire, and is performed every day at Shinshoji. A wheelchair lift enables disabled access to the Main Hall.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

To the right of the Main Hall you can see Shinshoji’s famous three-story pagoda. Built in 1712, it is one of the older buildings in the temple complex. Its bright colors are reminiscent of Japan’s Edo period, when it was built. Behind the three-story pagoda is Naritasan Park, an expanse of gardens within the temple grounds. The park features fountains, statues, and stone tablets crafted in the Japanese style, as well as a small waterfall.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

At the far reaches of the temple grounds, another stunning pagoda can be found. The Great Peace Pagoda has five stories, is 58m high and symbolizes the Shingon school of esoteric Buddhism. Inside is an exhibition room, a floor for sutra writing and a room where a statue of Fudomyo, an important deity in Japanese Buddhism, is enshrined. Underneath the Great Peace Pagoda, a time capsule where 11 world leaders wrote messages pertaining to peace in the ‘80s lies, not to be opened until 2434. The pagoda’s observation deck offers a splendid view of the temple, gardens and towns beyond.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Whether you are stopping at Narita International Airport and want to experience Japanese culture before continuing on your journey or you are looking for a tradition-filled day trip from Tokyo, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple offers beauty, history, and spiritual significance. After your visit why not head back to Narita Omotesando to enjoy some traditional style souvenir shopping and sample Narita’s famous freshwater eel.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

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Waqoo Naritasanmonzen

379-1 Nakamachi, Narita, Chiba 286-0027 Tokyo

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Narita U-City Hotel

1-1-2 Igodai, Narita City, Chiba

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Keisei-Narita

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Naritasan Shinshoji Temple

4.0

15 Reviews

Chiba Pref. Naritashi Narita 1

0476222111

8:00-16:00

View All

Go here

Waqoo Naritasanmonzen

379-1 Nakamachi, Narita, Chiba 286-0027 Tokyo

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