First Japanese person to visit Tibet I stopped by in early June 2026 while exploring Sakai. A stone monument and an explanation board are just quietly there between the houses. The explanation board says ——————————————————————— Site of Kawaguchi Ekai's birthplace Kawaguchi Ekai (childhood name Sadajirō), the first Japanese person to visit Tibet, was born here in Keiō 2 (1.866) as the eldest son of his father Zenkichi and Tsune, whose family business was making tubs and barrels. Influenced by his devout parents and by a biography of the Buddha he read around age 15, he developed a deep interest in Buddhism, and after studying through hardship, he entered the priesthood at 25 and received the Dharma name Ekai. At 28, he resolved to make the journey to Tibet he had long held in his heart, and 4 years later, in Meiji 30 (1897), he set out from Kobe alone. His journey to Tibet arose naturally from the way of life of one seeking what is true; his aim was not, as an adventurer, to go to a country no Japanese had ever set foot in. However, through two arduous journeys, after devoting himself to valuable studies of Sanskrit and more, he brought back many Buddhist scriptures and plant and animal specimens; this went beyond his original goal of seeking the Way, and ultimately introduced the state of Tibet to our country while also contributing greatly to the Buddhist world. In later years, new species were discovered among the specimens, so he also contributed to biology. In his later years he gave up his priestly status, but even after that he continued to live a disciplined, devoted life, pursuing the origins of Buddhism and writing books related to it. ——————————————————————— That's what it says. He is one of the great figures representing Sakai.

It's just a memorial stone, but around here the old machiya (townhouse) lot divisions have been kept intact, and some houses with wooden board walls still remain, so you can feel traces of the old days.

The monument stands between the walls of houses in a completely ordinary residential area. It isn't tucked away, so you'll spot it right away.

Only the monument wedged between the houses tells of that time