Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple
(Kongosan Kinjoin Heikenji)

Kawasaki Daishi is considered the birthplace of the "Hatsumode" tradition. Every year during the first three days of the New Year, approximately 3 million people visit for worship.

It’s also known as “Yakuyoke no Odaishi-sama,” or “Odaishi-sama of warding off evil,” and it is a place of faith for not only people in the nearby Kanto region prefectures, but from across the whole country. Every day monks participate in homa, a Buddhist ritual of burning sticks to ask for blessings, and pray that the wishes of visiting worshipers, like preventing misfortune, familial safety, business prosperity, and good health, come true.

There are many sights to see within the temple grounds, including the "Hakkaku Gojunoto (Octagonal Five-Storied Pagoda)" and the "Yakushi-Den (Yakushi Hall)", which is built in an Indian style.