Limited to Coming-of-Age Day? What is the Senzan Seven Lucky Gods Tour at Sennyuji Temple in Kyoto?

Have you ever heard of the "Izumiyama Seven Lucky Gods Tour" held every year on Coming-of-Age Day?
This is an annual New Year's event where people gather good fortune by attaching lucky charms to fukuzasa bamboo branches while enjoying the various sceneries of Kyoto.

In this issue, we would like to introduce details about the Senzan Shichifukujin pilgrimage, its benefits, and route at Sennyuji Temple.

Table of Contents

What is the tour of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune at Mt.

What is the date, time, and duration of the event?

■What are the routes and benefits?

■ Summary

What is the tour of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune at Mt.

What is the Izumiyama Seven Lucky Gods Tour?

What are the Seven Gods of Good Fortune?

The Seven Gods of Good Fortune was first introduced around the Muromachi period (1336-1573), when the belief in seven gods of good fortune began to be practiced collectively.
Today, Ebisu, Daikoku, Bishamon, Benten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, and Hotei are the seven gods of good fortune, but in the past, Otafuku, Hyottoko, Daruma, Fudo Myoo, Aizen Myoo, and Fukuzuke were sometimes worshiped as the seven gods of good fortune.

The meanings and benefits of each of the seven gods of good fortune are as follows.
・god of fishing and commerce...The only Japanese deity among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Holding a sea bream in his left hand, he is believed to be the god of fishing and prosperous business in Japan.
・god of wealth...The god who holds the earth with a large sack and a small mallet. He is the god of fortune and good fortune.
・Vaisravana (guardian god of Buddhism)...also known as "Tamonten". He is one of the Four Heavenly Kings and the god of harmony and good fortune. He is characterized by his warrior-like appearance.
・Benten (goddess of arts and wisdom)...The only goddess among the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Said to be the god of language and music, she is now worshipped as the goddess of wisdom, treasure, and matchmaking.
・tall headed god of happiness, wealth, and long life...Chinese god of longevity. He is the god of longevity, morality, and happiness, as well as a hermit.
・god of longevity...A smiling Jurojin holding a walking stick and a fan. He is an incarnation of a star and is worshipped as a god of longevity, wealth, and longevity.
・pot-bellied god of good fortune...The ever-smiling Hotei is a Chinese god modeled after a real person. He is known as the god of conjugal bliss, laughter, and the treasure of children.

What is the Mt. Xuanzan Seven Lucky Gods Tour?

So what is the Izumiyama Shichifukujin pilgrimage held on Adult's Day in Kyoto?
The Senzan Shichifukujin pilgrimage is a tour of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune at Sennyuji Temple in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, and has a history of being held since 1951 as the Seven Gods of Good Fortune Tour, which originated in Kyoto in the Muromachi period (1333-1573).

This is a popular annual New Year's event, where people visit seven temples and shrines enshrining the Seven Gods of Good Fortune to pray for blessings such as longevity, good health, and prosperous business.

The Izumiyama Seven Lucky Gods Tour is actually also called the "Nine Lucky Gods Tour," and includes Ebisu, Daikoku, Bishamon, Benten, Fukurokujin, Jurojin, and Hotei, as well as Aizenmyoo and Yanggai Kannon.

It is said that if one makes a pilgrimage to the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, he or she will be rid of seven kinds of misfortune and receive seven kinds of blessings: "Seven misfortunes are immediately destroyed and seven blessings are immediately born.
While the Miyako Shichifukujin Tour is usually best done between January 1 and 31 each year, the Izumiyama Shichifukujin Tour is unique in that its duration is limited to the day of coming of age each year.

What is the date, time, and duration of the event?

When is the Izumiyama Shichifukujin Tour held and how long does it take?

What is the date and time of the event?

The Izumiyama Shichifukujin Tour, as mentioned above, is held every year on the day of coming-of-age.
Since Adult's Day is the second Monday of January each year, it will be held on January 9 in 2023, unless there are major changes due to the new coronavirus.
Please note that each temple is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How long does it take?

The Izumiyama Seven Lucky Gods Tour takes approximately 2 to 4 hours.
Because of its location in the vicinity of Sennyu-ji Temple, it is relatively easy to visit, but many visitors come to the temple on the same day.
Therefore, you can expect crowds as there will be lines for red seals and other services.
On the day of the event, it is best to start at about 8:00 AM.

■What are the routes and benefits?

Here is a summary of the route and benefits of the Izumiyama Seven Lucky Gods Tour.

Sokujoin (Fukurokuju)

The first stop on the pilgrimage is Sokujoin Temple. It is believed to be blessed with longevity and happiness.

Address: 28 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP:https://www.gensegokuraku.com/

○Kaikoji Temple (Benzaiten)

The second temple to make the pilgrimage is Kaiko-ji Temple. It is known for its prosperity of business.

Address: 29 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP:http://www.kaikouji.com/

Shin Zenkoji Temple (Aizenmyoo)

The first temple that should be visited as an outlier is Shin Zenkoji Temple. You can enjoy the blessings of respect, love, and harmony.

Address: 31 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP:https://www.shinzenkoji.com/

Imakumano Kannonji Temple (Ebisujin)

The third temple to visit is Imakumano Kannon Temple. It is blessed with maritime transportation protection and commercial prosperity.

Address: 32 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto

HP:http://www.kannon.jp/

○Raigo-in (Hotei)

The fourth pilgrimage is the Raigo-in. It brings blessings for prosperous family business and good fortune.

Address: 33 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP:http://www.raigoin.com/

Unryu-in (Daikokuten)

The fifth stop on the pilgrimage is Unryuin Temple. Receive the blessings of good fortune and good luck.

Address: 36 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP:http://www.unryuin.jp/

Sennyuji Temple (Yang Kuan Yin)

Another extra temple to visit is Sennyuji Temple, the head temple. Receive blessings for various wishes and for the fulfillment of a good marriage.

Address: 27 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP:http://www.mitera.org/

○Kagitain Temple (Bishamonten)

The sixth temple to visit is Kida-in Temple. The blessing of "Zaibo Jizai" is definitely worth taking advantage of.

Address: 35 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP: None

○Hononin Temple (Jurojin)

The seventh stop on the pilgrimage is Houonin Temple. After receiving blessings of wisdom and longevity, we finally reach the goal!

Address: 30 Sennyuji Sannai-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto

HP:http://www.houonin.com/

■ Summary

How was it?
In this issue, we introduced the Senzan Shichifukujin pilgrimage at Sennyuji Temple, its benefits, and the route.
Please visit each shrine and temple to pray for good luck in the New Year.