Kawaguchi Museum

This used to be the resting place for a Japanese monk, Ekai Kawaguchi. He is said to be the first foreigner to visit Nepal. Kawaguchi was majorly concerned with learning Buddhism and is famous for his pilgrimages to India, Nepal and Tibet. He stayed in Marpha for 3 months in 1900 on his way to Tibet via Dolpo. According to the Fauna and Flora Research Society of Kyoto University, Kawaguchi entered Nepal in 1899 from Birganj, and via Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Tukucha, arrived at Tsarang, a settlement near the Tibetan border, where he stayed almost one year. From this village, he proceeded to Marpha and Chharkabhotgaon and entered into Tibet the following year. It is said that he studied sacred texts of Kangyur and Tengyur in the chapel of this house in Marpha during his stay here. As of today, this is the house of Adam Naring and is carefully preserved for others to see.