Saimyouji Temple, a concise guide to the hanachozu and events

The latest information for the hanachozu floral fonts, light up and other events by a local, regular visitor of the temple. Saimyouji (Kawagoe, Saitama) is an 800 year old temple, known as a LGBTQ+ friendly, discrimination free temple.

Saimyouji, Kawagoe

The temple is also known as Yokoyama Saimyouji, or Saimyoji or Saimyo / Saimyou Temple. Interestingly, Saimyouzi is the official English spelling of the temple. The temple is located on the outskirts of Kawagoe, beside Kawagoe Park.

LGBTQ+

Saimyouji is one of only a few temples in Japan that will perform same sex marriages. Moreover, it was the second temple ever in all of Japan to openly promote LGBTQ+ weddings. They started around the time Kawagoe started offering same sex couples special “partnership certificates” that are said to be equivalent to marriage. Saitama City also offer the certificates and Sakado and Kitamoto started thereafter, in October 2020.

Discrimination free

I found one post by Tokyo Weekender in English, about the very interesting and open minded monk, Akihiro Senda. Father Senda is the 57th chief monk of Saimyou Temple. The thing that stood out most to me from his interview is that he doesn’t just want the temple to be discrimination free, he is working hard to make it that way. He welcomes people of all walks of life, regardless of race, religion or any other reason. I am also impressed by the work he is doing in and for the community. For example, raising awareness about various social issues and extending a hand to those in need.

In order to attract people to the temple the monk Senda introduced two temple mascots. The characters appear on temple merchandise and promotional material. They are even on the vending machine on the grounds. Furthermore, on the grounds of the temple there is a photo prop with the temple mascots. You can put your own face in for a memorable photo! In 2023 they started a unique floral font gachapon. The gacha are made by in a nearby center for people with special needs. But it is the floral fonts, which change regularly with the seasons, that have proved the most successful in attracting visitors…

Floral fonts

The temple is perhaps most famous for its stunning floating flowers in water fonts. The flower fonts in Saimyouji are not the type where you wash your hands. That is, they are purely for decorative purposes. If you want to see a floral water font that is also a purifying font (chozuya) in Kawagoe, there is one at Hachimangu with a dragon head font. At Saimyouji at any one time there is at least four water fonts with floating flowers. One of the displays, by the main gate, is a pair set. When they fill all of the fonts at the temple there is a total of seven fonts. The displays change every month, so there is always something new to see at the temple.

Moreover, in October 2023 they introduced a brand new, beautiful water font:

The pair font by the temple gate is generally used for anime themed displays. I’ve accumulated a lot of photos over the years, as I tend to visit every month (except for summer)! My favorite display to date was probably the Sailor Moon display, followed closely by the My Neighbor Totoro display. You can see photos of those displays and many more on page 2.

Seasonal flower fonts

There is a font beside the entrance to the temple’s office that is used for seasonal themes. They always include the cutest little dinky decorations, no bigger than a finger. And they change year on year – so, for example, the Halloween font this year is different to last year and the year before! They put decorations in for all the big Japanese and Western celebrations like Tsukimi, Christmas and the Dolls Festival and other occasions throughout the year.

Hanging flowers

Since March 15th 2023 there is a new flower arrangement at the temple, as pictured above. Flowers hang from the temple gate by the pair hanachozu. For pink ribbon month they also have pink ribbons hanging from the display.

Events

Each month on the 19th they have pink ribbon day. There are also several annual events at the temple to foster community and simultaneously create awareness about various social issues.

Temple light up

Since spring of 2023 they light up the hanachozu every night until 9 pm. Hanachozu by night pictured on the left above. In addition, they light up the temple at least twice a year. In April for Autism Awareness and in October for pink ribbon month. The temple will be lit up pink for the full month of October in 2024. And usually on October 11th, national coming out day, they light up the temple in different colors of the rainbow. Red light up pictured on the right above. I have not yet been able to confirm if they will do that in 2026 too. They also have a candle night annually in July, usually around Tanabata. However, in 2026 it will be on in June.

Kawagoe Candle Night

For the last few years the Kawagoe Candle Night has been on in July, but in 2026 it will be on in June. On Saturday June 20th from 3 pm to 8 pm. Apart from the candle night in summer, Saimyouji also have a candle night in December annually. Date for 2026 not yet available. During the day from 2 pm there is live music and handmade market as well as workshops. The candles will be lit from 5 pm to 8 pm. Event post on Instagram.

Saimyouji Pink Ribbon Month

All the information for pink ribbon month:

Exhibitions

Occasionally, there are exhibitions at the temple. In September 2026 they have a mini exhibition of local artist Kimio Yajima’s work, with four of his pieces made from Styrofoam. Including this impressive piece based on the Three Wise Monkeys, only with frogs instead!:

Saimyoji Temple Information

Access

The temple is located on the east side of the Kawagoe Park. You can actually walk to the temple from the park via a side entrance by the east side of the lake in the park. Therefore, a bus to the park will also bring you to the temple! Buses bound for Kawagoe Suijo Koen – 川越水上公園 – go from Kawagoe Station. Nishi Kawagoe station, which is on the Kawagoe Line, is about an 11 minute walk from the temple.

If you are approaching the park with its main archway entrance in front of you, the temple is just on the right hand side. You can’t miss the rainbow colored flags. However, they aren’t always up. In order to get into temple by car though, you have to take a steep right turn then wind through narrow residential area roads. There is parking past the temple on the right hand side.

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