Founded by a disciple of Kōbō Daishi in the 10th century, Narita-san is a famous Shingon Buddhist temple in the city of Narita. It’s dedicated to the fire god Ācala and set within a sprawling park featuring numerous temple buildings and cultural museums.
Admire the early-18th-century Kōmyō-dō and three-storey pagoda, together with the Niōmon gate and Shaka-dō that were added in the mid-19th century. More recent temple buildings at Narita-san include the Great Main Hall, which was built in the 1960s, and a 58-metre-tall Great Pagoda erected in 1984.
The picturesque street to Narita-san from the Narita railway station is lined with stalls selling Japanese snacks, as well as traditional Daruma dolls and amulets. Coincide your visit with one of the religious festivals held in Narita-san throughout the year or visit in spring to see the cherry blossoms blooming.
Getting there
Narita-san is around 20 minutes’ walk from the Narita railway station, which has connections to Tokyo. Narita International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the temple.