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Yanaka | Walking Tours
Walking Tours of Yanaka - Tour 4
Shichifukujin Meguri, is a pilgrimage to meet Seven Lucky Gods.
Estimated time for the tour: 3 hours
| Shichifukujin Meguri is a short pilgrimage tour to visit temples and shrines of Shichifukujin, the Seven Deities of Good Fortune. Shichifukujin Meguri can be made anytime of the year, though it is usually done during Oshougatsu, the beginning of the year (1st, 2nd and 3rd of January). It is where people wish for happiness and good fortune in the New Year. It has been said that this old custom started in the early Edo period (about 400 years ago) and it is still popular everywhere in Japan. |
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Shichifukujin, or the Seven Deities of Good Fortune are 7 Gods that came from India, China and Japan. The 7 Gods are:
Ebisu
The God of Success in Business
Daikokuten
The God of a Rich Harvest
Benziten
The God of Good Results in Learning and Fortune
Bbisyamonten
The God of Victory
Hotei
The God of Good Fortune, bringing good match, bringing healthy children
Fukurokuju
The God of Long Life and Wealth
Jurouzin
The God of long life and happiness
As each Shichifukujin had jovial characteristics and always with a big smile on their face, this made people feel happy by looking at them.
They not only had friendly personal characteristics, but also were symbols of good luck. Shichifukujin have been popular for hundreds of years in Japan. Since there are many temples and shrines enshrining the gods of Shichifukujin throughout Japan, there are many tour routes for the Shichifukujin Maguri. For example, there are 28 tour routes just in Tokyo!
The route we introduce here is called the Shichifukujin Meguri route in Yanaka, starting from Tabata to Ueno. Although the temples and shrines in Yanaka are small ones, not like the large temple in Asakusa, they still retain a warm atmosphere, and loved by locals living in the town.
*The photos in the slide show were taken on the New Year’s day, 1.Jan.2008.
These temples have crowds of visitors only during the beginning of new year. They are usually quiet and don’t have many visitors. (Except for Bentendo in Ueno Park). It is recommended you say hello to the attendants to get permission to go inside, when you visit off season at the Shichifukujin Meguri. At some temples, it is required to take your shoes off to go inside the building. 
Toukakuji Temple - Fukurokuju
Toukakuji Temple is also known for Akagami Niou, 2 stone statues of Niou, that show many red papers. People suffering from a disease, put a red paper on the body of Niou statue and pray for recovery.
Seiunji Temple - Ebisu
A small temple on a narrow street leading to a Yanaka shopping street. It has been said this temple was established in the middle of the 18th century.
Shuseiin Temple- Hotei
Shuseiin Temple is just 1 minute away from the Seiunji Temple on the same road. A big Hotei statue set inside of the temple is known for its remarkable looks.
Tennouji Temple - Bishamonten
Established in the 15th century, Tennouji Temple used to be a large temple and included the Yanaka cemetery area, this was part of a temple from the Edo period.
Chouanji temple - Juroujin
A small temple established in the middle of 17th century.
Gokokuin Temple - Daikokuten
Established in 1625, it has been said that the statue of Daikokuten in this temple was dedicated by Iemitsu, the third Tokugawa shogun.
Shinobazu Bentendou - Benzaiten
Shinobazubentendou is called Bendou, in short. It is located at the Shinobazu pond. It always has crowds of people, as it is one of sightseeing spots in Ueno.
Straight up the hilly street you will see the main street of Yanaka Reien on the left.
If you will go down the main street you will see a temple called Tenoji which is the oldest temple in Yanaka. Yanaka Reien and the surrounding area used to belong to Tenoji and many people come from Yanaka to visit Tenoji in the Edo period. There is a lovely Buddha Statue is in the Tenoji Temple.
Click here to Print the Tour 4 Map of Yanaka
Click here to Photo tour of Shichifukujin Meguri
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UENO
Visit historic Ueno Zoo and Ueno Park in north of Tokyo
See here for various photos of the neighbourhood of Ueno
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YANAKA
Walking Tours of Yanaka Tour1 | Tour 2 | Tour 3 | Tour 4
See here for photos of the Yanaka neighbourhood Part
1 | Part
2 | Part
3 | Part 4
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Read our article about Tokyo Heritage Weeks (Tokyo Bunkazai Week) and events in the Yanaka area.
Web Links - Related sources of information about:
Historic Neighbourhoods in Tokyo
