This article is also available in Japanese. You can refer to it from here.
There are many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in the Asakusa area of Tokyo. Some of them enshrine the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin), and local people call nine of them the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa.
This article will introduce helpful information, such as:
- Who the Seven Lucky Gods are;
- Who the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa are;
- And which pilgrimage route you should take.
Be sure to read this article before you make a tour of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa.
Who Are the Seven Lucky Gods?
The Seven Lucky Gods, as the name implies, are the seven gods that bring you good luck in Japanese mythology. Generally, the Seven Lucky Gods refer to the following gods:
- Daikokuten
- Ebisu
- Benzaiten
- Bishamonten
- Hotei
- Jurojin
- Fukurokuju
At the end of the 16th century, Japanese people formed the concept of the Seven Lucky Gods by gathering gods and Buddha from India, China, and Japan. In the 17th century, the Seven Lucky Gods got well-known, especially among commoners. As a result, making a pilgrimage to the Seven Lucky Gods on new year’s day was widespread to expect secular benefits.
Who Enshrines the Seven Lucky Gods in Asakusa?
The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa refer to the following nine Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Taito Ward and Arakawa Ward of Tokyo that enshrine the Seven Lucky Gods.
- Daikokuten: Sensoji Temple
- Ebisu: Asakusa Shrine
- Benzaiten: Yoshiwara Shrine
- Bishamonten: Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple
- Hotei: Hashiba Fudoson Temple
- Jurojin: Ishihama Shrine and Otori Shrine
- Fukurokuju: Yasaki Inari Shrine and Imado Shrine
Making a pilgrimage to the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa began in the 19th century. This custom was interrupted after World War II, but local people revived this tradition in 1977. We have been practicing this since then.
We usually make a pilgrimage to the Seven Lucky Gods during the New Year. But you can do visit the Seven Luck Gods of Asakusa on other days. However, you need to remember that Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples only show their god statue during the New Year. In addition, Asakusa Shrine never shows its Ebisu statue to the public all year round.
Pilgrimage Goods
When you make a pilgrimage, you can bring your shuincho book if you have one. But you also can purchase any of the following goods:
- Shikishi
- Fuku-Sasa
- Fuku-e
Shikishi
Shikishi is a rectangular piece of cardboard about 24cm wide and about 27 cm long. Each Shinto shrine or Buddhist temples provide their seal stamp called shuin. You will collect all of them when you complete the pilgrimage. You can purchase Shikishi at any shrine or temple office of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa for 300 Yen. In addition, you need to pay 300 Yen each time you ask for shuin.
Fuku-Sasa
Fuku-sasa (fortune bamboo grass) is a twig of bamboo grass. You will attach the votive tablets from nine shrines and temples of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa. You can purchase Fuku-sasa at any shrine or temple office of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa for 600 Yen. In addition, a votive tablet costs 300 Yen.
Fuku-e
Fuku-e (a fortune picture) is a picture depicting the Seven Lucky Gods. And the name of the nine shrines and temples is written at the bottom. You will receive shuin there. You can purchase this fuku-e at any shrine or temple office of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa for 500 Yen. In addition, you need to pay 200 Yen each time you ask for shuin.
The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa
Daikokuten
Daikokuten is a god who brings you financial fortune and career luck. Sensoji Temple enshrines this god.
Sensoji Temple is a famous Buddhist temple of the Holy Kannon sect. Local people call Asakusa Kannon because this temple has the Kannon Bodhisattva as its principal image. Sensoji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, with a history of 1,400 years. There are many highlights in the large precincts.
For more information about Sensoji Temple, please refer to the following article:
Ebisu
Ebisu is a god who brings you prosperous business. Asakusa Shrine enshrines this god.
Asakusa Shrine is a Shinto shrine located right next to Sensoji Temple. Local people still call it Sanja-sam, which is its former name during the Edo period. The Sanja Matsuri of this shrine is one of the three major festivals of Tokyo, and over two million people visit this festival every year.
For more information about Asakusa Shrine, please refer to the following article:
Benzaiten
Benzaiten is a goddess who brings you financial fortune and artistic talent. Yoshiwara Shrine enshrines this goddess.
Yoshiwara Shrine is a Shinto shrine that enshrines the five Inari shrines inside and outside Yoshiwara Yukaku and Yoshiwara Benzaiten Shrine. Since women of the Yukaku had great faith in this shrine, people believe that this shrine still answers various wishes of women.
For more information about Yoshiwara Shrine, please refer to the following article:
Bishamonten
Bishamonten is a god who brings you luck in competitions. Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple enshrines this god.
Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple is a subordinate temple of Senoji Temple. This temple is famous for offering daikon radishes when you worship the primary image. In addition, Yokuyu-kito, the one-of-a-kind alchemy of the temple, is famous for its benefits.
For more information about Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple, please refer to the following article:
Hotei
Hotei is a god who brings you children and marital happiness. Hashiba Fudoson Temple enshrines this god.
Hashiba Fudoson is a temple of the Tendai sect with a history of over 1,200 years. Many big fires have hit Tokyo, such as the Great Yoshihara Fire in 1911, the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, and the Bombing of Tokyo in 1945. However, the area around this temple has escaped from those difficulties, so local people call this temple “Hashiba Fudoson, the Firefighting.”
For more information about Hashiba Fudoson Temple, please refer to the following article:
Jurojin
Jurojin is a god who brings you longevity. Both Ishihama Shrine and Washi Shrine enshrine this god.
Ishihama Shrine is the oldest shrine in Arakawa Ward, with a history of nearly 1,300 years. This shrine has many highlights, such as the unique torii gates, numerous subordinate shrines, and many designated cultural properties.
For more information about Ishihama Shrine, please refer to the following article:
Otori Shrine is famous for offering the biggest Tori No Ichi market in Japan. In addition to this market, this shrine has many highlights, such as the gigantic Kumade Rake and the Nade-Okame face statue. Otori Shrine is also one of the Eight Lucky Gods of Shitamachi.
For more information about Otori Shrine, please refer to the following article:
Fukurokuju
Fukurokuju is a god who brings you health and academic achievements. Both Yasaki Inari Shrine and Imado Shrine enshrine this god.
Yasaki Inari Shrine was built to protect the Edo Sanjusangen-do, which used to be in Asakusa. What you must see here is 100 paintings of horse riding motif on the ceiling of the hall of worship, there are. These paintings depict the Japanese Horse Riding History from Emperor Jimmu, the first emperor of Japan, to Colonel Nishi of World War II.
For more information about Yasaki Inari Shrine, please refer to the following article:
Imado Shrine is famous for offering match-making and financial fortune. This shrine is also known as a Cat Shrine; You can see many cat statues all over the precincts. Imado Shrine is also one of the Eight Lucky Gods of Shitamachi.
For more information about Imado Shrine, please refer to the following article:
Suggested Pilgrimage Routes
You can divide shrines and temples of the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa into the following groups based on their location.
- Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine (located next to each other)
- Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple and Imado Shrine (about 7 minutes walk away)
- Otori Shrine and Yoshiwara Shrine (about 5 minutes walk away)
- Hashiba Fudoson Temple and Ishihama Shrine (about 5 minutes walk away)
- Yasaki Inari Shrine
Making a Pilgrimage on Foot
We recommend you to start from either Sensoji Temple or Asakusa Shrine. This is because they are close to the nearest station, Asakusa station. Other shrines or temples require you to walk at least 10 minutes from their nearest station.
The following is an example walking route when you depart from Sensoji Temple.
- Site #1Sensoji Temple
About 3-minute walk to the next site.
- Site #2Asakusa Shrine
About 15-minute walk to the next site.
- Site #3Yasaki Inari Shrine
About 20-minute walk to the next site.
- Site #4Otori Shrine
About 5-minute walk to the next stop
- Site #5Yoshiwara Shrine
About 20-minute walk to the next site.
- Site #6Hashiba Fudoson Temple
About 5-minute walk to the next site.
- Site #7Ishihama Shrine
About 20-minute walk to the next site.
- Site #8Imado Shrine
About 7-minute walk to the next site.
- Site #9Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple
The walking time mentioned above is just a guide. If you are not familiar with the Asakusa area, it may take a little longer.
Making a Pilgrimage by Bus
If you want to make a pilgrimage to the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa by bus, we recommend you to use the Megurin buses, circular buses operated by Taito Ward. Each Megurin bus runs e every 15 to 20 minutes, making it easy to move around in Taito Ward.
The fare for Megurin Bus is 100 yen each time. However, a one-day pass is available for 300 yen. This pass allows you to take Megurin buses as many as you want. You can purchase this pass when you take any Megurin bus (cash only). You can also purchase it at the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center in front of Kaminarimon Gate.
The following is an example route by Megurin bus when you depart from Yasaki Inari Shrine.
- Site #1Yasaki Inari Shrine
Take South Megurin bus from Matsugaya stop to Taito Hospital stop to the next site.
- Site #2Yoshiwara Shrine
Walk to the next site (about 5 minutes.)
- Site #3Otori Shrine
Take North Megurin bus from Taito Hospital stop to Nitenmon Gate stop to the next site.
- Site #4Asakusa Shrine
Walk to the next site (about 3 minutes.)
- Site #5Sensoji Temple
Take North Megurin bus from Nitenmon Gate stop to Sumida Park stop to the next site.
- Site #6Matsuchiyama Shoden Temple
Walk to the next site (about 7 minutes.)
- Site #7Imado Shrine
Take North Megurin bus from Riverside Sport Center stop to Hashiba 1-Chome stop to the next site.
- Site #8Hashiba Fudoson Temple
Walk to the next site (about 5 minutes.)
- Site #9Ishihama Shrine
If you want to return to Sensoji Area, take Gururi Megurin at the Hashiba 2-chome Apartment Mae bus stop.
If you want to visit from Kaminarimon Gate, get off at Asakusa Matsuya Nishi stop, instead of Nitenmon Gate stop.
For more detail about Megurin Bus, please refer the following:
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