Kiryu Travel Guide

Kiryu City in Gunma Prefecture is a "textile town" that has flourished with silk weaving since the Edo period. Kannon-in is a Shingon sect temple affectionately known locally as "Higiri Jizo-son."Why not stay at a temple lodging, start your day with morning chanting, and stroll through the textile townscape?

Four things to do in Kiryu

Upcoming Kiryu — Nearby events

1. Attend the 6 AM sutra chanting — Higiri Jizo-son Kannon-in

At Kannon-in,sutra chanting is held in the main hall every morning from 6 AM.No reservation is required, and it is free of charge.Anyone can attend, not just overnight guests.It's a morning moment to join hands in prayer with local residents.

About Kannon-in

Kannon-in is a Shingon sect temple said to have been founded in Shoho 1 (1644). It is the 10th temple of the Kanto 88 Sacred Places and has been selected as one of "Gunma's 100 Famous Places."

The name "Higiri Jizo-son" comes from this legend: Long ago, when a giant appearing nightly was shot with a gun, the blood trail disappeared in Kannon-in's garden. That night, Jizo appeared in a dream and said, "I want you to build a hall.If you make a wish with a set date, it will surely be granted." It is said that the mark of the bullet still remains on Jizo's shoulder.

In addition, you can experience sutra copying (shakyo), Buddha image copying (shabutsu), and meditation (Ajikan) under the guidance of the chief priest (advance reservation required). For details, please seeExperiences at Temple Hotel Kannon-in.

(Morning chanting and temple history are based on information from Temple Hotel Kannon-in)

2. Visit the Higiri Jizo-son fair on the 24th of every month

The 24th of every month is Jizo's fair day.Stalls line the temple grounds, bustling with many worshippers.Even on days other than the fair, prayers are held daily, and the smoke from worshippers' incense never ceases.

• Goshuin stamp for the festival— Special goshuin stamps are only available on festival days. Kannon-in also offers original goshuin stamp books (4 types) designed with a shakujo (Buddhist staff) and a sacred jewel.
• Explore the temple grounds— In addition to the Jizo-do hall and bell tower, there is also the "Bindzuru-do" hall, which is believed to offer blessings for recovery from illness.
• Sabo Sara tea house— In June 2025, a tourist information cafe & park and a Korean herbal medicine cafe, "Sabo Sara," opened on the temple grounds.

If you stay on the 23rd, you can spend the entire day of the 24th on the temple grounds, from the morning service to the festival.

3. Walk through Kiryu Shinmachi, the town of textiles

About a 12-minute walk west from Kannon-in, the area of Honcho 1-chome and 2-chome isKiryu Shinmachi. It was newly established in 1591 by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu and developed as asilk textile town.

A collection of textile-related buildings remains, including main houses and storehouses built from the late Edo period to the early Showa period, andsawtooth-roofed factories. It has been selected as a nationalImportant Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings (approximately 260 meters east-west, 820 meters north-south).

Townscape highlights

• Sawtooth-roofed factories— These are textile factory buildings with triangular roofs lined up like saw teeth. They can still be found in the town and back streets.
• Yano Honten and Yurinkan— Yano Honten originated in 1748 when Hisaemon Yano, a merchant from Omi, started a sake brewing and pawn shop business in Kiryu. The 11 storehouses (Edo to Showa periods) where sake, miso, and soy sauce were produced and stored are now used as "Yurinkan" for exhibitions, plays, concerts, and more.Map of Yurinkan ↗
• Kiryu Tenmangu Shrine— This shrine is located at the northern end of Kiryu Shinmachi. An antique market is held here on the first Saturday of every month. Approximately a 20-minute walk from Kannon-in.Map ↗

(Kiryu Shinmachi information is from Kiryu City's "About the Kiryu Shinmachi Traditional Building Preservation District"; Yurinkan and Yano Honten information is from Kiryu City's guide.)

4. Himokawa Udon and local cuisine

Kiryu specialties

• Himokawa Udon— These flat udon noodles vary in width from about 2 cm to over 15 cm, depending on the restaurant. They are characterized by their thinness and smooth texture. It is said that these noodles were favored in Kiryu, where many people worked in textile factories, because they cooked quickly.
• Sauce Katsudon— This is a rice bowl topped with tonkatsu (pork cutlet) soaked in sauce. It is also said to have been a favorite among textile factory workers.

Temple lodging meals at "Soba-dokoro Misaki"

Dinner and breakfast for Kannon-in's [2 meals included] plan are prepared at"Soba-dokoro Misaki", a handmade soba restaurant about a 3-minute walk from Kannon-in. The Japanese-style meal features grilled fish and small side dishes, and breakfast includes local seasonal vegetables.

Even if you booked a room-only plan, you can add meals up to 4 days before your check-in date. For menu and prices,see Temple Hotel Kannon-in Dining.Map of Soba-dokoro Misaki ↗

(Himokawa Udon and Sauce Katsudon information is from GLOBAL LIFE TRAVEL and other Kiryu tourist guides.)

Kiryu through the seasons

Summer — Kiryu Yagibushi Festival (early August)

This is Kiryu's summer festival, where people dance to Yagibushi music around a large scaffold built in the town. In 2026, it was held from August 7th to 9th. It is said that about 500,000 people visit every year. The Honcho-dori venue is about a 12-minute walk from Kannon-in.

Autumn — Kannon-in autumn leaves and Ebisu-ko (November)

From mid to late November, the trees along the approach to Kannon-in and within its grounds turn vibrant colors. On November 19th and 20th, the "Ebisu-ko" festival, praying for business prosperity, is held at Kiryu Nishinomiya Shrine, attracting over 200,000 visitors annually.

Annual events

The dates and distances from Kannon-in for events such as Kannon-in's monthly Engi (temple festival) on the 24th, Kiryu Tenmangu's antique market (first Saturday of every month), November's Ebisu-ko, and August's Yagibushi Festival are summarized inKiryu Events.

A 2-day, 1-night temple lodging itinerary

Day 1

1. Afternoon— Check in to Kannon-in, about a 15-minute walk from JR Kiryu Station (or about 800 yen by taxi).
2. Evening— Stroll through Kiryu Shinmachi. Visit the Yano Honten and Yurin-kan warehouses, the saw-tooth roof factories, and Kiryu Tenmangu Shrine.
3. Night— Dinner at "Soba-dokoro Misaki" (for plans including two meals). Return to the temple lodging and enjoy the open-air bath overlooking the dry landscape garden.

Day 2

1. 6:00 AM— Attend the morning service in the main hall (approx. 40 minutes).
2. 8:00 AM— Breakfast at "Soba-dokoro Misaki."
3. Morning— Experience sutra copying or Buddha image tracing (advance reservation required). If it's the 24th, head directly to the temple festival on the grounds.
4. Noon— Lunch in town: Himokawa udon or Sauce katsudon.

Access

• Train— Approximately a 15-minute walk from Kiryu Station on the JR Ryomo Line. From Shin-Kiryu Station on the Tobu Line, it's about a 10-minute taxi ride.
• Bus— Approximately a 10-minute walk from the "Honcho 4-chome" stop on the Kiryu City Orihime Bus.
• Car— Free parking is available on the temple grounds (approx. 100 spaces).

Taxis may not always be stationed at the station, so we recommend booking in advance. For more details, please seeTemple Hotel Kannon-in Access.

Stay at Kannon-in

Kannon-in temple lodging isreserved for one group per dayThe entire property, including the garden and kitchen, can accommodate up to 12 guests.

Information is current as of October 7, 2026. Business hours, fees, and event schedules may change. Please check official websites before visiting.