Kawasaki Daishi: Cool mind, warm heart in summer days
Kawasaki Daishi is a famous temple located in Kawasaki city, one of important cities in Kanagawa. This temple is one of the most popular places where there are approximately over 3 million visitors who come to pray for prosperity and health. In this summer, I am finding some places for a rest and I found this place where is not far from Kawasaki.
I got a train from Kawasaki station. It takes approximately 10 minutes, and then I reached Kawasaki-daishi station.
Kawasaki Daishi is also famous for Daruma doll, a round red Japanese traditional doll which is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. It is very popular for people who looking for an extraordinary gift. I got one as a new year’s gift. At first I didn’t even know its meaning but I was very excited. It usually has a blank on the eyes, so you have to paint one eye and pray for success, then paint the other eye when achieved the goal.
Daruma doll
Walking down the street, you will see an entrance gate, and there is a small street leading to Kawasaki Daishi. Many souvenir shops are lined up alongside of the street. With a smile from shop venders, it draws me to walk straight to the shop without any hesitation.
Tontoko Candy is a famous local sweet of Kawasaki Daishi. “Ton-toko" is rhythmic sounds of making candies, like a “knock-knock” sound from a knife when cutting on a chopping board. There are many several kinds of candy to taste before buying it as souvenirs.
After I enjoyed tasting many sweets, I reached The Dai-Sanmon, the main gate of Kawasaki Daishi. Without crowded people inside, this enormous gate seems lonely but I could feel a tranquility of this temple. I love this sunny day, because when the sun shines brightly on the gate, it makes this scenery more splendid.
The Dai-Sanmon (main gate)
Before getting inside, I had to learn some Japanese tradition. Normally, there are three important things to do when you go to a Japanese shrine or temple. Firstly, when you walked through the gate, you will see a purification fountain near the temple's entrance. Take a ladle, fill it with water and rinse your hands and your mouth. Doing this is because you have to make yourselves clean before get into a temple. Then go to the incense burner where is in the middle of a temple. After finish incense, get into the offering hall for praying.
Then I reached the main hall (The Dai Hondo). It is a grand building with a hall for rituals. This hall was destroyed by fire during the war in 1945 and was rebuilt in May 1958. The hall is constructed of steel and concrete instead of wood. It is a splendid cathedral of the Showa period with an architectural style of the Heian period.
At the main hall, there is a place in where Goma rite being held. The Goma rite is a religious ceremony in Buddhism. Many people participates this ceremony to purify their mind and body by burning the Goma wood in the fireplace in front of the holy image of Kobo Daishi.
The Goma rite
Stamps for collectors are provided at the main hall.
Next to the main hall, I walked to Hakkaku Gojunoto, the octagonal five-storied pagoda or Restoration Pagoda, which prominently situated in the temple area. I could notice it even from the outside of the temple, because it is the most outstanding building in the area because of its color and unique shape. As I know, the pagoda was built for a religious function, commonly in Buddhism. It is often located near temples, as one of symbols in Buddhism.
Hakkaku Gojunoto
After the pagoda, I continued to walk to the white building which looks like an Indian temple. This building was called the Prayer Hall for Safe Driving. People are coming to pray for their safety from any traffic accidents. It looks completely different from other Buddhist hall but it is really a religious building in Buddhism. Also the objectives of prayers, they are not come here to pray for a prosperity or successfulness but they come for their safety from disasters.
The Prayer Hall for Safe Driving
After taking a long walk, this is a time for refreshments. I leaved Kawasaki Daishi and took a rest at a shop. It is on the right in front of the main gate. This is a souvenir shop with a corner for food and beverages. You can choose your menu from a food display cabinet. All dishes look tasty. The most popular menu is Kuzumochi. It is a Japanese traditional dessert, was famous in Kawasaki, made with Kuzu powder and topped with kuromitsu and kinako. It is very delicious especially for someone who likes dessert. I also bought it as a souvenir. After I finished Kuzumochi, I tried Kuzumochi sundae. It is a softcream sundae served with Kuzumochi, Kinako and red bean which is amazingly delicious. I was very impressed because I never see something like this before. This is combination of a traditional taste and modern dessert (Kuzumochi and ice-cream).
Kuzumochi
Access
The shortest ways to reach Kawasaki Daishi:
From JR Kawasaki Station take the bus bound for Kawasaki Daishi. Alternatively, take the Keihin Kyuko train from Keikyu Kawasaki Station to Kawasaki Daishi. From the station it is about 100 meters to the temple. When coming from Shinagawa Station or Yokohama Station take the Keihin Kyuko train and change at Keikyu Kawasaki Station to a train bound for Kawasaki Daishi. 
Kawasaki Daishi Address
Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple
4-48 Daishi-machi, Kawasaki-ku Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan 210-8521
TEL: 044 (266) 3420
FAX: 044 (277) 8163
044 (277) 8173
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