Naritasan Shinshoji

As a popular tourist spot visited by worshippers from all over the country, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple can cause heavy traffic and difficulty finding parking during busy periods such as New Year's. As much as possible, it's recommended to access the temple by train! The nearest stations, Narita Station or Keisei Narita Station, can be reached from Tokyo in 1-1.5 hours, and it's only a 10-15 minute walk along the 800-meter Omotesando leading to the temple. Along Omotesando, various restaurants and souvenir shops line the street, making the journey enjoyable. Although it may be tempting to stop by, it's better to resist shopping as it can make the visit to the temple difficult with more luggage on the way back.

In the area surrounding Naritasan, there are three official parking lots available for 800 yen per day, as well as many municipal and coin-operated parking lots. The official parking lots are conveniently located within a 2-3 minute walk, making them ideal for sightseeing, but they are generally crowded due to their popularity. In January, the surrounding roads are often subject to traffic restrictions, and parking lots closer to Shinshoji Temple tend to fill up quickly and experience congestion, regardless of whether they are official or not. Therefore, during busy times, it's a good idea to aim for a parking lot a little farther away in advance, adjust your schedule, or choose a parking lot with a reservation service to make the most of your visit!

Narita-san was founded over 1,000 years ago during the mid-Heian period, with its roots in the "Rebellion of Taira no Masakado." Kancho Daisojo received an imperial decree to quell the rebellion and traveled to Narita with Fudo Myoo to perform a ritual to pray for peace for 21 days. On the last day of the Goma-taki prayer, Taira no Masakado was defeated, and peace was restored. Later, it is said that Fudo Myoo told them to stay in Narita to save the people, and Narita-san Shinshoji Temple was founded. Currently, at the back of the temple grounds, there is a five-story "Tower of Peace" symbolizing the teachings of Shingon Buddhism. On the first floor, there is an exhibition about the history of Narita-san, and on the second floor, there is an enshrined statue of Fudo Myoo, allowing visitors to touch upon the history of Narita-san. If you're interested, please come and visit!