GUNMA

Shorinzan Darumaji Temple

The Birthplace of Japan's Iconic Good-Luck Charm

Visit the historic temple where Japan's beloved Daruma was born and paint your own good-luck charm as a meaningful souvenir.

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Journey to Gunma Prefecture to discover the legendary temple behind one of Japan's most recognizable symbols of perseverance and good fortune.

Founded in 1697, Shorinzan Darumaji Temple holds a special place in Japanese cultural history as the birthplace of the Fuku-Daruma. According to legend, a sacred fragrant log washed ashore along the Usui River, which an ascetic named Ichiryo-koji carved into a statue of Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism in China. The temple was later formally established by Shinetsu, a Zen priest from China who served as mentor to Tokugawa Mitsukuni of the powerful Tokugawa shogunate.

The iconic papier-mÃ¢chÃ© Daruma emerged from hardship and compassion. After the devastating 1783 eruption of Mount Asama destroyed local farmland, the temple's ninth-generation priest taught struggling farmers to craft these round, red as a source of income. The Daruma, modeled after Bodhidharma's meditative form, quickly became beloved New Year symbols of determination and wish-fulfillment throughout Japan.

Today, visitors can participate in a hands-on Daruma-painting experience, creating and personalizing their own good-luck charm to take home. The temple grounds also feature Senshin-tei, a small retreat where renowned German architect Bruno Taut stayed during the early Shōwa era. From this peaceful sanctuary, Taut introduced Japanese aesthetics and culture to Western audiences, adding another layer to the temple's rich international legacy.

For an especially memorable experience, you might want to visit Syorinzan Daruma-ji in winter: the temple truly comes alive during the annual Daruma-Ichi fair held every January 6-7th. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flood the grounds to browse the countless stalls selling Fuku-Daruma ranging from palm-sized to over seventy-five-centimeters tall, all handcrafted by local families. Purchasing a new Daruma and having it blessed at the temple has become a cherished New Year tradition, symbolizing fresh starts and aspirations for the coming year.
Whether you’re interested in spiritual enrichment, cultural immersion, or simply want to create your own piece of Japanese tradition, Syorinzan Daruma-ji is sure to provide you with an authentic experience at the very source of an enduring symbol of hope and perseverance.
©Toshiko Sakurai

Address

296 Hanadakamachi, Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture

Phone number

+81-27-322-8800

Business hours

Temple Office / Amulet Counter: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Prayer Reception: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Daruma Hall: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Darudaru Shop: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Daruma Painting Experience (Registration): 10:00 a.m. – 3:40 p.m.

WEB site

https://www.daruma.or.jp/eng/

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