Last updated: December 21, 2020
Discover the origins of Japan’s lucky daruma dolls
This temple was built in 1697 and is purported to be the place where Japanese daruma dolls originated. These popular bearded dolls are good luck charms. Traditionally, you make a wish and fill in one of their eyes and, when it comes true, you fill in the other eye. At the end of the year, you bring the doll back to the shrine to burn it.
The temple is piled high with daruma of various sizes and colors, each representing something different. Red is the most common color, which invites general good fortune. An adjoining museum displays non-traditional daruma. On January 6 and 7, the annual Shorinzan Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Market Festival is held, during which people buy daruma for the new year.
296 Hanadakamachi, Takasaki ( Map)
About 15 minutes on foot from Gunma-Yawata Station
About 20 minutes by bus from Takasaki Station
About 20 minutes by car from Maebashi IC of Kan-Etsu Expressway
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Free
