Heirin-ji

Located in Saitama an hour away from Ikebukuro, Heirin-ji is a Rinzai temple of the Myoshin-ji Branch. The temple was originally founded in 1375 in Iwatsuki city by Sekishitsu Zenkyu , also in Saitama. The temple was destroyed in 1590 during the attack on Iwatsuki Castle by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and then later moved and rebuilt in 1603 in the Musashino woodlands of Niiza city.

Despite its small size Heirin-ji is one of Saitama’s most beautiful and best-kept-secrets to enjoy some spectacular turning leaves in autumn (momiji in Japanese). Popular among people living around Saitama, Heirin-ji is still accessible and free from foreign tourists!