Kawasaki Daishi

Kawasaki Daishi (川崎大師) is the popular name of Heiken-ji (平間寺, Heiken-ji), a Buddhist temple in Kawasaki, Japan. Founded in 1128, it is the headquarters of the Chizan sect of Shingon Buddhism. Kawasaki Daishi is a popular temple for hatsumōde (the first visit to a place of worship in the new year). In 2006, 2.72 million people engaged in hatsumōde here, the third largest figure in Japan and the largest in Kanagawa Prefecture. In 2016, the temple made preparations to receive 3 million visitors over the same period.^[2] Keihin Electric Express Railway, the oldest railroad company in the Kantō region of Japan, commenced service in January 1899 to carry passengers to Kawasaki Daishi from Tokyo.

Kawasaki Daishi 川崎大師
The main hall of Kawasaki Daishi
Religion
Affiliation	Chizan sect of Shingon Buddhism
Deity	Kōbō-Daishi
Location
Location	4-48 Daishi-machi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki
Country	Japan
Geographic coordinates	35.534°N 139.729°E / 35.534; 139.729
Architecture
Founder	Sonken, Kanenori[1]
Completed	1128
Website
kawasakidaishi.com

Heiken-ji is known formally as Kongōzan Kinjōin Heiken-ji (金剛山金乗院平間寺).^[1]

• 
  Inside the main hall
• Several scenes, 2024
• 
  Photo of the bell tower ( 鐘楼堂 , shōrō-dō ) by Felice Beato
• 
  Kawasaki Daishi Restored Pagoda

References

1. "川崎大師の歴史" [History of Kawasaki Daishi] (in Japanese). Kawasaki Daishi. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
2. Shichijo, Roland (31 December 2016). "500,000 visitors descend on Ueno's Ameyoko market". Tokyo Reporter. Archived from the original on 31 December 2016. Meanwhile in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, craftsmen at the Kawasaki Daishi Buddhist temple were making preparations to welcome some 3 million visitors over the sangainichi period, meaning the first three days of the New Year from Jan. 1 to Jan. 3, TV Asahi reports (Dec. 31).

External links

• About Kawasaki Daishi