Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple 成田山新勝寺

Walk along the winding Narita Omotesando shopping street to reach Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, otherwise known as Naritasan Shinshoji Temple or Naritasan, a sprawling temple complex that dates all the way back to A.D. 940. Impressive architecture, a rich calendar of events and proximity to Narita International Airport make Naritasan Shinshoji Temple a worthy addition to any Tokyo layover.

Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is just a short walk along Narita Omotesando from JR Narita Station.

To reach Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, take the train to either Narita Station or Keisei Narita Station. JR Narita Station is just one stop from the Narita International Airport Terminal 2 Station.

Narita Omotesando is a pleasant shopping street leading to Narirasan Shinshoji Temple. The street is perfect for a leisurely stroll and stocking up on traditional snacks and souvenirs before your temple visit, or for dining, as many restaurants specialize in fresh barbecued eel.

One of Japan's oldest temples, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is the site of many Buddhist ceremonies. Its structures, statues, and sacred objects represent centuries of history. Dedicated to the fire god Acala and an important religious site for the Shingon sect of Buddhism, one of the temple's most interesting attractions is the daily Goma Fire Ritual, a thousand-year-old tradition where priests pray before a large fire to help dispel the problems of temple visitors.

One of the biggest celebrations held at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple is its New Year's celebration. Over 3 million people are said to come for the New Year's shrine visit alone. In fact, the New Year's visits make Naritasan Shinshoji Temple the second most-visited temple in Japan after the Meiji Shrine.

Alternatively, visit in early summer for the Narita Gion-Matsuri, where portable shrines of all shapes and sizes are paraded through the city. In the spring, the temple grounds host one of Japan's largest drum festivals with over 200 drummers taking part.

Part of the reason for Naritasan Shinshoji Temple's enduring popularity is its striking architecture, much of which has been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. The new and former Great Main Halls are famous for their scale and intricate carvings, respectively, while the richly decorated three-storied pagoda and a huge Tahoto style pagoda, named the Great Pagoda of Peace, are popular and worthwhile attractions.

Beyond the temple lies the 165,000 square meter Naritasan Park. A paved path winds through a thickly-forested hill. Statues of notable monks line each side. The path then descends and opens up to reveal spacious grounds with a pond at their center.

Gorgeous in all seasons, Naritasan Park features free guided-walks given by volunteers around the park and temple grounds. Tours are conducted in English and require a reservation beforehand.

During festival times and busy seasons, Naritasan Shinshoji Temple can be quite crowded, but off-peak the temple is relatively quiet and serene. Its proximity to Narita International Airport is ideal for anyone with time to spare before a flight.