History of Bannaji Temple On the site of the present-day Bannaji Temple, a powerful samurai called Minamoto no Yoshiyasu, who was as famous as Taira no Kiyomori and Minamoto no Yoshitomo (the father of Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune) built his castle at the end of Heian period. He is the first generation of Ashikaga family.   In 1196, Ashikaga Yoshikane, the son of Yoshiyasu, built a hall dedicated to Dainichi Nyorai, and the 3rd head of Ashikaga family, Ashikaga Yoshiuji, built a hall tower and other buildings. Since that, the Bannaji Temple bacame the clan temple of Ashikaga family. 150 years later, the 7th head of the family, Ashikaga Takauji, founded the Muromachi Shogunate, which gave the Ashikaga family the reign of Japan. Even in the Edo period, as the temple of the Ashikaga family, the direct descendant of the Minamoto clan, was revered and protected by the Tokugawa Shogun, who claimed to be a member of the Minamoto clan.   Became the National Treasure of Japan In 1923, Bannaji Temple was designated as a National Historic Site as the "Ashikaga Family Residence". The main hall, the bell tower, and the sutra hall were designated as National Important Cultural Properties. It was selected as the one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan. The 40,000-square-meter territory is laid out in a square shape, surrounded by a circular fortress and a moat, and retains the characteristics of the Kamakura period's Buke Yashiki (samurai's house).   Annual Events On February 3, the temple hosts the Ashikaga Setsubun Armor Parade, in which more than 150 participants dressed as samurai and wearing armor parade to Bannaji Temple and then perform the bean-scattering ceremony. In spring, you can enjoy cherry blossoms, and in fall, you can see the leaves of the city's natural monument, the Ginkgo tree (about 600 years old), turn yellow, and the beauty of the tree is breathtaking.      

Registered as a Tangible Cultural Property in June 2004， Ashikaga Orihime Shrine has long been worshipped as home to guardian deities of local industry and matchmaking.   The vermillion-lacquered shrine stands in beautiful contrast to the surrounding green forests. Located on the hillside, the shrine commands magnificent views of the city of Ashikaga and the Watarase River. On fine days，the view extends as far as the Kanto Plains and the Tokyo Skytree. The shrine is a starting point for a walking trail through the Prefectural Natural Park. The trail is popular for enjoying seasonal views and is suitable for children.   A large number of visitors come and enjoy music performances and local delicacies at the shrine during the grand spring festival in May and autumn festival in November. It has become a popular dating spot since being named a sacred place for lovers and one of the best night view locations in 2014.

Ashikaga City, the "Small Kyoto" of Tochigi Pref., tinted with fantasy colors   Most famous spots like Bannaji Temple, Ashikaga School and Ashikaga Orihime Shrine would set up lamps, making visitors feel like they are in a dreamy and mysterious world.   The site of Ashikaga School, the oldest school of Japan, would display Flower Hand Water and Wagasa (Traditional umbrella) Light Show produced by Ashikaga Flower Park, and dreamy bamboo lanterns will be displayed in the bamboo forest on the campus.   In the National Treasure “Bannaji Temple”, the lanterns are placed on the bell tower, the main hall, and the 550-year-old ginkgo tree, so that you can enjoy the lanterns while experiencing the historical atmosphere of the temple.   Ashikaga Orihime Shrine, known as a “Sacred Place for Lovers”, would display 90 Ashikaga Meisen lamps on their staircase. The gorgeous Meissen motifs are illuminated by the colorful lights.

It is said that over 3,000 students studied at the school during the disturbances of the 10-year civil war (Onin War) starting in the 15th century.   When the Catholic missionary Francis Xavier came to the country in 1549, he described it as “Japan’s largest and most famous school” in his correspondence. Ashikaga thus became widely known overseas as well.   Today buildings have been restored，and visitors can view classrooms in their original historic form and join a program reading The Analects of Confucius on Sundays.