Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, Chiba

Narita City, Chiba Prefecture is located in the northern center of Chiba, and is famous for “Narita International Airport” and “Naritasan Shinshoji Temple”. There are many spots where you can touch the parks and markets around the airport, as well as nature and rural scenery.
“Naritasan” is “Sango” (Mountain Name) at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, and its principal image is “Fudo Myoo” (Acala, one of the Five Wisdom Kings).
It is called “Ofudo-sama” by the locals and is very popular. It has a long history and was founded in 940. In 2018, the “Founding 1080th Festival” was held. This is an attractive temple visited by about 10 million tourists from all over the country every year.
Speaking of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, it is generally well known as a place to go for car traffic safety prayers and as a spot for first visit. However, in fact, it was a very popular tourist destination visited by people since the Edo period. The reason why this was so was because Fudo Myoo, the so-called “Ofudo-sama”, the main deity of the temple, was deeply believed by the people of Edo.
Therefore, the history surrounding this temple is very interesting and full of highlights. It is a Buddhist institution where you can play all day with that and have plenty of benefits.
Shinshoji has a long history, dating back to the Heian period.
It was opened for the suppression of rebellion by TAIRA no Masakado’s War, and Fudo Myoo, who is said to have been carved by Kobodaishi Kukai, became the principal.
After being executed in Kyoto, TAIRA no Masakado is said to have chopped head with his eyes wide open to Otemachi in Tokyo because he was so deeply conceited. After that, he became the strongest “Onryo” (vengeful ghosts) in Japan, and his influence that he was afraid of something seems to be still great.
As you pass through the approach and climb up the stone steps, you will see a colorful and gorgeous triple tower. At first glance it looks like a brand new building, but it was erected in the early 18th century.
Japanese temples have a tendency to be good enough to have an old color, but at the time they were built, many were painted in such a gorgeous manner. In particular, many buildings in the Edo period have been decorated as much as you can see from Nikko Toshogu. Perhaps he needed to be as flashy as possible to show power.
The main hall is a splendid building that was built in 1968, and is enshrined with Fudo Myoo, the main treasure. Here, “Gomakito” (ritual of consecrated fire) is held several times a day, so you can easily visit. After participating in this, there seems to be always more or less good things. Just sit down, so please try it once.

One of the three greatest Grand head temple of the Shingon sect

Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple is one of the three greatest Grand head temple of the Shingon sect Chisan-ha group of Kanto along with Kawasaki Daishi Temple and Takaosan Yakuo-in Temple.
It is known for Gomakito (ritual of consecrated fire dedicated to Myoken Bosatsu) or Traffic safety prayer, 3 million first-visit-in-the-year worshippers are the 2nd in the country and the temple of the number more than 10 million people of annual worshippers which rank second to Meiji-jingu. It is the tourist resort which has gained the Michelin two star, and is the spot where is popular among foreigners now. And the Monzen-cho (a town developed near the gate of a temple) full of the Japanese taste is proud of Kanto first-rate scale.

For suppression of “Masakado Taira’s Revolt”

Kancho Dai-sojo (the head priest of a Buddhist sect) found the Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple for suppression of “Masakado Taira’s Revolt” which broke out in 939 of the Heian period. It is one of the head temples of the Cisan Branch of Shingon Sect, and the principal image is Fudo Myoo which having been held the consecration ceremony by Kobo Daishi.

150 or more restaurants, souvenir stores, etc.

To the nearest JR “Narita Station” or the Keisei Line “Keisei-Narita Station” is around ten minutes by a train from Narita Airport. When it goes down the station, it is the “Omotesando” (front approach) to come into view quickly. There is “Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple” about 800 meters ahead from the omotesando. In the area which follows the temple from the station, 150 or more restaurants, souvenir stores, etc. have stood side by side.

Every day, without ceasing from founding more than 1,000 years

In Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple, it is praying for global peace or Shogan-joju (realizing wishes) with practice of “Ogoma” since its establishment. It means the word “Goma” (an act of praying with a sacred fire burning) that “invests and prays for an offering into fire” by the religious rite of ancient India. This Ogoma is performed in this temple every day, without ceasing from founding more than 1,000 years.

Relieve the tiredness of people visited to the Narita

About 60 stores which offer an eel are located in a line with the omotesando. It seems that it is related by the Tonegawa river or the lake Inba in Chiba, that an eel can be taken. There is also an anecdote of having treated to the eel with high nutritive value in order to relieve the tiredness of people visited to the Narita from afar once upon a time.

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