Joshu Ota Shichifukujin Tour
(Tour of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune)
The seven gods of good fortune have been worshipped for many years by the Japanese people. The seven gods in Joshu Ota (Ota City in Gunma) are enshrined respectively at the seven temples located at the foot of Kanayama Hill. It is highly recommended that you should walk around all the seven temples to admire their natural beauty. A hiking tour of the seven temples is held on the second Sunday in January every year.
General Tour by Train and Bus
Tobu Ota Station → Chonen-ji (Chonen Temple): Ebisu (the god of wealth) → Juraku-ji (Juraku Temple): Daikokuten (the god of wealth) → Daiko-in (Daiko Temple): Benzaiten (the goddess of music, eloquence, wealth and wisdom) → Kinryu-ji (Kinryu Temple): Bishamonten (the god of wars and the guardian god of Buddhism) → (Kanayama Hiking Course) → Gyokugon-ji (Gyokugon Temple): Fukurokuju (the god of happiness, wealth and health) → Eifuku-ji (Eifuku Temple): Jurojin (the god of longevity) → Sogen-ji (Sogen Temple): Hoteison (the god of happiness) → [Higashi Imaizumi Bus Stop] → Ota Station [It takes approximately two and a half hours.]
Where to Go for Sightseeing
Chonen-ji (Chonen Temple):
Ebisu (the god of wealth)
In the Edo Era, messengers to dedicate the offerings to gods from the Emperor had to first register their arrival at this temple. In the Meiji Era, This temple served as a boys’ high school.
Address: 22-6 Hon-cho, Ota
Telephone: +81-276-22-2747
Visitors may visit here seeking good business, wealth and happiness. |
Juraku-ji (Juraku Temple):
Daikokuten (the god of wealth)
This temple was built in 1384. It was once relocated, burnt and reconstructed. The gate shows you its history.
Address: 21-5 Kanayama-cho, Ota
Telephone: +81-276-22-3730
Visitors may visit here seeking abundant food and fulfillment of their aspirations. |
Daiko-in (Daiko Temple):
Benzaiten (the goddess of music, eloquence, wealth and wisdom)
This temple was constructed in 1613 by Ieyasu Tokugawa as a memorial temple for Yoshishige Nitta, the founder of the clan. It is known as Kosodate-Donryu-sama, named after the first priest, Donryu.
Address: 37-8 Kanayama-cho, Ota
Telephone: +81-276-22-2007
Visitors may visit here seeking acquisition of riches, happiness, and attainment of studies. |
Kinryu-ji (Kinryu Temple):
Bishamonten (the god of wars and the guardian god of Buddhism)
This temple was constructed to worship Yoshisada Nitta by his grandson Sadauji Yokose. A wooden statue of Yoshisada is enshrined here.
Address: 40-1 Kanayama-cho, Ota
Telephone: +81-276-22-4920
Visitors may visit here seeking success in their occupation, and improvement of their fortune. |
Gyokugon-ji (Gyokugon Temple):
Fukurokuju (the god of happiness, wealth and health)
The historical gate of the temple appears at the top of the stone steps, lending a quiet and elegant atmosphere to this location.
Address: 171 Higashi Kanai-cho, Ota
Telephone: +81-276-26-0567
Visitors may visit here seeking to bring about happiness and increase salary. |
Eifuku-ji (Eifuku Temple): Jurojin (the god of longevity)
It is not certain when this temple was built, but it was relocated to this site by Sadauji Yokose, the lord of Kanayama Castle, in 1417.
Address: 7 Higashi Kanai-cho, Ota
Telephone: +81-276-25-2777
Visitors may visit here seeking good health and longevity. |
Sogen-ji (Sogen Temple): Hoteison (the god of happiness)
This temple is also called Sazae-do (a turban shell temple) because of its style of architecture. The hydrangea garden is worth visiting.
Address: 168 Higasi Imaizumi-cho, Ota
Telephone: +81-276-25-1343
Visitors may visit here seeking happiness and safety of their family. |
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Yabuzuka Onsen (Yabuzuka Hot Spring)
Nitta-no-sho National Historical Site
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