Narita-san Shinsho-ji

Narita San Shinsho Ji, The Large Shingon Temple At Narita, Chiba, Near The Airport, Founded In 940, Known For Fire Rituals (Goma) To Fudo Myoo And A Long Approach Lined With Eel And Sweet Shops. A Popular First Stop Or Last Stop On A Trip To Japan. · Narita, Chiba

Narita-san Shinsho-ji is a large Shingon temple in Narita, Chiba, a short train ride from Narita Airport. It is said to have been founded in 940 to enshrine a statue of Fudo Myoo carried from Kyoto by the monk Kancho. The main draw is the goma fire ritual in the Great Main Hall, held several times a day, where priests burn wooden tablets to drums and chanting and visitors may sit and watch. Behind the hall stand a three-storey pagoda, the Great Peace Pagoda and a quiet temple park with a pond. The approach, Omotesando, is a ten to fifteen minute walk of shops and eel restaurants from the station. It suits a stopover before or after a flight, a half day out of Tokyo, or anyone curious about living Buddhist practice rather than a museum. It is worth the detour for the ritual. It is not worth it at New Year, when it is among the most visited temples in Japan and the queues are long. Allow two to three hours and eat on the way back.

1 Narita, Narita, Chiba, a ten-minute walk along the shop street from Narita Station, Narita, Chiba, Japan

The grounds are open from early morning into the evening and the halls close in the late afternoon - confirm times. Goma rituals run several times a day, and a long ceremony can be held at set hours - confirm the schedule at the hall or on the day. Walk from Narita Station on the JR or Keisei lines, about 10 to 15 minutes along Omotesando; IC cards work on trains, but shops and offering boxes need cash. Nothing needs booking for the ritual, though a private prayer request has a fee and a form to fill in. Narita Airport is a short train ride away, so luggage can be left in a station locker.

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