Heirin-ji Temple

Name: Heirin-ji Temple
Address: 3-chōme-1-1 Nobitome, Niiza, Saitama 352-0011, Japan
Rating: 4.2

4.2 (200)・Place Of Worship・Point Of Interest・Establishment

Heirin-ji Temple in Saitama is a peaceful Buddhist temple with a long history. Founded in 1375 by Lord Takagi, Heirin-ji Temple has survived many eras. It's part of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, known for its meditation practices. The temple is surrounded by tall cedar trees, creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere.

Inside, you’ll find traditional wooden buildings, a beautiful Zen garden, and a pond. The main hall holds statues of Buddha and other figures important to the temple's history. There's also a pagoda, which is a tower-like structure often used to house relics.

Heirin-ji is not just a place for worship but also for learning. Monks live and train here, practicing Zen meditation and other rituals. Visitors can sometimes join in the meditation sessions, experiencing a bit of the monk's daily lives.

The temple is magnificent in autumn when the leaves change color, attracting many visitors. It’s a place where history, nature, and spirituality come together, offering a quiet escape from the busy modern world.

Hours

Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Sunday: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Website

www.heirinji.or.jp

The area

Address

3-chōme-1-1 Nobitome, Niiza, Saitama 352-0011, Japan

Top ways to experience Heirin-ji Temple

approx. 7-21 days

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What other travelers are saying about Heirin-ji Temple

Went here last December 2024 to enjoy the autumn leaves and it didn't disappoint. It was really beautiful. After paying for the entrance, you can freely walk around inside. The place was very spacious but there were still alot of closed areas. If you love nature, you will definitely enjoy this place. Loved the silence and the view. Just take note that you can't eat inside so there are no food stalls inside. A great place to stroll and enjoy nature.

Aibi Y.

Mar 6, 2025

Visited today (late November 2022) and it was so worth-it having strolled around the complex in the afternoon. Many people came to see the leaves around probably because it's weekend, so I thought it's much better to see this on a weekday, if possible. The place seems to be kid-friendly as well and WCs are available within the area. The admission fee is ¥500 for adult. Some areas are off-limits, but it's shown anyway on the map provided at the entrance. It won't take much time to see the whole place, so you could take your time to walk. Benches are also visibly available under shaded areas, should you need to take a rest. Don't forget your lenses and cameras! 📷

Ryan Glenn Conda

Nov 27, 2022

A relatively unknown shrine just outside Tokyo, in Niiza, Saitama, Heirinji is a gem in any season. The woods are quite extensive, and the buildings are charming. Autumn leaves are very pretty if you’re lucky enough to visit at the right timing. There is a car park across the street, and a number of buses that go past.

Robert McGuinness

Jun 16, 2022

Very old temple surrounded by maple trees. It's an hidden gem, not known to many tourists. It's very calm as it is away from the city. It takes about an hour to walk around the temple. Recommended to visit during Autumn season. Easily accessible by bus.

Janani Ravi

Aug 18, 2020

The people running this place are very selfish. The wooded area is very large but they allow you only to walk around a very the small section of it. In addition, although it is not busy, they don’t allow you to leave to your car and return without paying again. Very very selfish. Very very Japanese.