Ōtōin

The founding of Oto-in is unknown, but it is believed that it was built in the Nara and Heian periods, and that the monks of the Tendai sect lived there to pray to the dead. It is recorded that Daito-in became a Soto School temple in the first year of Keicho (1596).

Otoin Temple is a family temple where the ancestors and deceased members of the Dan family are memorialized. In addition, as a temple open to the community, we are actively engaged in cultural activities such as concerts using the main hall (temple con), art exhibitions in the gallery, history study groups, small Buddha carving classes, calligraphy classes, flower arrangement classes, etc., and we continue to be active as a temple open to the community as a family temple for the Dan family.

[Basic information]
Address: Kashiwa City Hananoi 1757

TEL：04-7132-5868
Business hours: 9:00~16:30 (temple office reception)
Closed: open all year
Parking: 40 cars
~Access~
【JR Joban Line】Get off at "Kashiwa" station, west exit from the bus stop "Municipal Kashiwa High School",
Bus bound for "Tokyu Village" Get off at the bus stop "Hananoi Shrine" and walk for 10 minutes.

【Tsukuba Express】Get off at Kashiwa Leaf Campus Station, from the bus stop
Take the bus to "Tokyu Village" and get off at the bus stop "Hananoi Kido" 10 minutes on foot

~Attractions~
・Ginkgo biloba
The giant ginkgo tree, the symbol of Daitoin, is said to be over 450 years old. It is said that this large ginkgo was used as a landmark of Hananoi Village during the Tone River water transportation in the Edo period. Even now, you can see it well from the Ōtone Bridge.
According to the "Chinju Forest Tree Survey Research" Implementation in 2004 (Heisei 16), ginkgo biloba (5.32 m) is considered to be the thickest trunk circumference in Kashiwa City. In 1981 (Showa 56) (1981), it became a designated protected tree (designation number 290) in Kashiwa City.

・Bentendo
Bentendo, built in 1864, was demolished due to deterioration in the Showa 50. The inauguration ceremony of the current Bentendo was held in November 1998 (Heisei 10) (1998).
The Bentendo enshrines Benzaiten, an eight-armed statue with the god Uga and a Torii (shrine gate) gate above his head. In his hand, he holds a long halberd, an orb, and a key to the treasury.
The crocodile mouth attached to the old Bentendo Hall is engraved with the names of 24 donors from the tenth year of Tenpo (1839), indicating that the Bentendo has existed since ancient times. This crocodile mouth is attached to the Shin Bentendo and still resonates with the sound of the Tenpo era.