Erinji from Shinjuku: A Quiet Day at Takeda Shingen's Family Temple, Its Gate and Garden

This guide covers how to reach Erinji from Shinjuku, the Sanmon gate, the garden, Takeda Shingen's grave, the Takeda Fudo, lunch and the practical details for a day out.

Takeda Shingen designated Erinji as his family temple. The sections below follow the route from Shinjuku, the gate and garden, the grave and the Takeda Fudo, Sugata Tenjinsha, Seihakuji, lunch and the practical details.

Getting to Erinji

Take the bus bound for Nishizawa Keikoku from the south exit of Enzan Station and get off at Erinji-mae. Erinji can also be reached by taxi from Enzan Station. Drivers can reach Erinji from the Katsunuma interchange.

The table below gives the time from Shinjuku and the ways to reach the temple from Enzan Station.

From	Line and operator	Time or fare
Shinjuku Station to Enzan Station	JR Chuo Line limited express	About 90 minutes
Enzan Station south exit to Erinji-mae	Bus bound for Nishizawa Keikoku	About 15 minutes
Enzan Station to Erinji	Taxi	About 20 minutes, 1,500 yen
Enzan Station to Erinji	Car	About 20 minutes
Katsunuma IC to Erinji	Car	About 20 minutes

The Sanmon Gate and the Garden

A residence was turned into the Zen temple Erinji when Muso Kokushi was invited there. The Sanmon is built in the tower gate style. The Sanmon takes its name from the gates of liberation: the gates of emptiness, signlessness and wishlessness.

Muso Kokushi designed the temple garden, which is a nationally designated historic site and place of beauty. The garden lies behind the main hall.

Takeda Shingen's Grave and the Takeda Fudo

Erinji also has the grave of Takeda Shingen. The grave stands behind the Fudo-do hall in the temple grounds. The grave site is normally closed to the public and is opened specially on a fixed day of each month. Graves of Takeda clan retainers line up behind the grave site.

The Takeda Fudo statue was carved at the order of Takeda Shingen. It is a life-size Fudo image modeled on his own figure, and it is enshrined in the Takeda Fudo-do Myoo-den. A festival for Takeda Shingen and Kaisen Kokushi is held on their memorial day.

Sugata Tenjinsha and Seihakuji

The Tatenashi armor, a National Treasure, is kept at Sugata Tenjinsha as the sign of succession of the Takeda family heads. Sugata Tenjinsha can be reached on foot from the south exit of Enzan Station.

Seihakuji has an approach planted with old plum trees. The Buddha hall of Seihakuji, built in the Chinese Zen style, is a National Treasure.

Lunch Near Enzan Station

Koshu Hoto Kanjukuya Honten can be reached on foot from the south exit of Enzan Station. The table below lists the times of the restaurant.

Place	Times
Kanjukuya, weekday lunch	11:30 to 15:00
Kanjukuya, weekday dinner	17:00 to 20:00
Kanjukuya, weekends and holidays	11:00 to 20:00
Kanjukuya, closed day	Wednesdays

Kanjukuya has a lunch session and a dinner session. Kanjukuya is closed on Wednesdays.

Hours and Fees, and Planning the Day

It helps to settle the order of the stops before the day begins, using the tables below. Check the times before you travel.

Part of the day	Stop or leg	Duration or hours
Arrive	Shinjuku Station to Enzan Station, on the JR Chuo Line limited express	About 90 minutes
Arrive	Enzan Station south exit to Erinji-mae, by bus	About 15 minutes
Visit	Erinji, admission hours	8:30 to 16:30
Lunch	Kanjukuya, weekday lunch hours	11:30 to 15:00
Lunch	Enzan Station south exit to Kanjukuya, on foot	About 8 minutes
Head back	Erinji, closing time	16:30

Item	Price
Admission, adults	500 yen
Admission, elementary, junior high and high school students	300 yen
Admission, groups of 20 or more adults	400 yen
Parking for cars	Free, 50 spaces
Takeda Fudo amulet	2,000 yen

Event or meeting	Day and time
Saturday zazen meeting	Every Saturday, 6:00 to 7:30
Sunday zazen meeting	Second Sunday of every month, 3:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon
Takeda Shingen grave site, public opening day	12th of every month
Shingen-ko festival	April 12
Memorial for Muso Kokushi	September 30

If you would like to extend the trip, browse places to stay in Katsunuma.