谷中七福神めぐり
谷中七福神めぐり
A tour of seven temples in Ueno, Yanaka, Nippori, and Tabata, a Shichifukujin (Seven Lucky Gods) pilgrimage said to be the oldest in Edo (about 250 years ago). It is characterized by being composed entirely of temples, and you can visit all the gods by starting at Tabata Station and heading to Ueno, covering about 5.5-6 km and taking 2-3 hours on foot. Visiting in any order or splitting over several days is also possible. The distribution of shikishi (paper for stamps) and goshuin (temple stamps) is generally only during the New Year period (around January 1st to 10th). The offering fee and method vary by year, so please check the official website (visiting is possible year-round). If your goal is the goshuin, the New Year is recommended; if you want to walk quietly, after the Matsunouchi period (until around January 15th) is recommended. Highlights at each temple include the Red Paper Nio (Tokaku-ji Temple), the Hotei wall painting (Shusei-in Temple), and the site of the five-story pagoda (Tennoji Temple). You can record "Shichifukujin Complete" upon check-in.
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A temple of the Buzan sect of Shingon Buddhism located in Tabata, Kita City. It is known for the pair of Nio statues called "Akigami Nio" (red paper Nio) with red paper pasted on their entire bodies next to the temple gate, and the custom of pasting red paper on the same part of the body as an ailment and praying for a substitute is passed down. The Nio statues were originally dedicated to Tabata Hachiman Shrine and are said to have been moved to this temple during the separation of Shinto and Buddhism. It enshrines Fukurokuju among the Yanaka Shichifukujin (Seven Gods of Fortune). *Please check the official website for opening hours and goshuin (red stamp) distribution times.
A temple of the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai sect located in Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa City. In the Edo period, it flourished as a pleasure resort called "Higurashi no Sato" and was called "Hanami-dera" along with Shusei-in and others. Stone monuments of Edo literati, such as the monument to the brush tomb associated with Bakin Takizawa, remain within the grounds. It enshrines Ebisu-shin among the Yanaka Shichifukujin. *Please check the official website for opening hours and goshuin (red stamp) distribution times.
A temple of the Nichiren sect located in Nishi-Nippori, Arakawa City. It is called "Hanami-dera" along with Seiun-ji Temple and others, and the Hotei here is also called "Higurashi no Hotei." It is said that Hiroshige Utagawa's "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" depicts the spring scenery within the temple grounds. It is also popular for the large painting of Hotei on its wall. It enshrines Hotei-son among the Yanaka Shichifukujin. *Please check the official website for opening hours and goshuin (red stamp) distribution times.
A temple of the Myoshin-ji school of the Rinzai sect located in Yanaka, Taito City. Within the grounds, it enshrines a wooden memorial stele (Tangible Cultural Property designated by Taito City) inscribed with the era names of the Kamakura and Muromachi periods. It is also known for being the grave of the modern Japanese painter Hōgai Kanō. It enshrines Jurojin, who is prayed to for long life and longevity, among the Yanaka Shichifukujin. *Please check the official website for opening hours and goshuin (red stamp) distribution times.
A temple of the Tendai sect located in Yanaka, Taito City. It originated from Kan'ō-ji Temple of the Nichiren sect, was converted to the Tendai sect during the Genroku period, and renamed Tennō-ji during the Tenpō period. The five-story pagoda (model for Kōda Rohan's "The Five-Story Pagoda"), which was a landmark of Yanaka for a long time, burned down in 1957, and only its remains are left. Within the grounds, there is a bronze seated statue of Shaka Nyorai cast during the Genroku period. It enshrines Bishamon-ten among the Yanaka Shichifukujin. *Please check the official website for opening hours and goshuin (red stamp) distribution times.
A sub-temple of Kan'ei-ji Temple of the Tendai sect located in Ueno Park, Taito City, and is said to be one of the earliest sub-temples established during the founding period of Kan'ei-ji. It once served as the main hall as the administrator temple of the Shakado (Buddha Hall). It has gathered faith in Daikokuten, originating from an image of Daikokuten said to have been dedicated by the third shogun, Iemitsu Tokugawa. It enshrines Daikokuten among the Yanaka Shichifukujin. *Please check the official website for opening hours and goshuin (red stamp) distribution times.
A hall of Kan'ei-ji Temple of the Tendai sect located on the central island (Benten Island) of Shinobazu Pond in Ueno. It is said to have originated when Monk Tenkai likened Shinobazu Pond to Lake Biwa and invited Benzaiten from Hōgon-ji Temple on Chikubu Island. It is characterized by its octagonal hall and enshrines Hachihidai Benzaiten as its principal image. The current hall was rebuilt after being destroyed in the war. It enshrines Benzaiten among the Yanaka Shichifukujin. *Please check the official website for opening hours and goshuin (red stamp) distribution times.
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