Pilgrimage to the Mutsukoku Tsugaru Shichifukujin (the Seven Gods of Luck) – Beckon Good Fortune from the Seven Temples
Did you know you can visit the sacred sites of Tsugaru Shichifukujin and receive the sacred seal in Tsugaru?
In the past, people of this region would visit temples with family and friends as a pastime, followed by a bath and a nice meal together. Originally, the idea came from the monks of the temples a number of decades ago.
Tsugaru Shichifukujin Pilgrimage
Shichifukujin, or the Seven Gods of Luck, is said to bring luck to people aboard a treasure ship from Japan, China, and India. Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Juroujin, Ebisuten, Hoteison, Fukurokuju, and Benzaiten are the Seven Gods of Luck. The pilgrimage to the Shichifukujin is rooted in the Buddhist saying that when seven difficulties are overcome, seven blessings are bestowed.
In other regions, visiting the Shichifukujin is typically done in the new year, while people are welcome to visit the Tsugaru Shichifukujin anytime in the year. The Tsugaru Seven Gods of Luck are housed not in shrines, but in Shingo sect temples. It is possible to visit all of them in one day, but it is highly recommended to take the time to learn about each temple and speak to each of the abbots.
How to Begin Tsugaru Shichifukujin Pilgrimage
① Visit the temple and purchase a Houincho (seal stamp book) (1,200 yen as of March 2023).
*Some temples may not have staff present, so we recommend that you call in advance to confirm. (Gumonji, Kouboji, Kakuoin, and Kongoji temples are mostly manned.)
② After worshipping the Shichifukujin Seven Gods of Luck, receive a red seal (200 yen each; as of March 2023).
Put your hands together and pray in front of the Buddha image and chant the following mantra.
Mantra: It is said that chanting the mantra has good and beneficial effects that you can enjoy.
Good Fortune Ebisuten “Namu Ebisujin”
Daikokuten “On makagiyaraya sowaka”
Bishamonten “On beishiramandaya sowaka”
Fluidity Benzaiten “On sorasobateiei sowaka”
Fortune Fukurokuju “On makashiri sowaka”
Juroujin “On bazarayusei sowaka”
Hoteison “On maitareiya sowaka”
*Please don’t forget to pay for the red seal even in the case that there is no staff present and you have to stamp the red seal on your own.
Ebisuten, the God of Good Fortune and Good Luck
Ebisuten is the only Japanese deity among the Seven Gods of Luck and appears in the Japanese myths Kojiki and Nihonshoki. The figure with a fishing rod and sea bream in his hand is said to bring luck, good sales, and other benefits, as well as good luck in fishery.
*The red seals can be stamped at Kongoji Temple in Hirakawa City.
| Temple Name | Mount Atago Jizoin |
|---|---|
| URL | https://jizo-in.com/ |
| Address | 81 Yamagatamachi Kuroishi Aomori |
| TEL | 090-4901-0750（Kongoji・Makita） |
Daikokuten
Daikokuten is enshrined in the temple as an Indian deity, and some believe that he is the same as “Okuninushi no Mikoto-sama” of Izumo-taisha Shrine. The deity is worshiped as the god of bountiful harvests, good fortune, and prosperous business, as well as family safety, because of the small mallet and treasure pouch he carries.
| Temple Name | Mount Iwaki Gumonji |
|---|---|
| Address | 29 Terasawa Hyakuzawa Hirosaki Aomori |
| TEL | 0172-83-2279 |
Bishamonten
Bishamonten is originally an Indian god of war, also known as Tamonten. He is a Buddhist guardian deity who holds a spear and is the only warrior-like figure in the world. It is said that he protects against calamities, keeps families safe and peaceful, and brings good luck in victory.
*No staff present Monday ~ Friday. The seal is located at the entrance of the main hall.
| Temple Name | Oyozan Fudoji |
|---|---|
| Address | 4-3-11 Shinmori Shinmachi Hirosaki Aomori |
| TEL | 0172-35-4777 |
Fluidity Benzaiten
Benzaiten is originally the Indian god of rivers (water), and she is the only goddess among the Seven Gods of Luck. She is worshipped as the goddess of beauty and wisdom, and as the goddess of music and the arts because of her lute.
*No staff present during the busy farming season. The seal is located at the entrance of the main hall.
| Temple Name | Ominesan Renshoin |
|---|---|
| Address | 75 Ishino Miyamoto Itayanagi Kitatsugaru Aomori |
| TEL | 0172-72-0337 |
Fortune Fukurokuju
Fukurokuju is a Chinese god who is believed to be an incarnation of the star “Canopus” (also known as the South Star or the Longevity Star), which is said to bring good luck when seen. As the name suggests, he is believed to be the god of fuku (happiness), roku (wealth), and ju (longevity).
| Temple Name | Nishi no Koyasan Koubouji |
|---|---|
| URL | https://nishinokouyasan.com/ |
| Address | 1-244 Byōbuzan Kizukurifukihara Tsugaru, Aomori |
| TEL | 0173-26-2320 |
Juroujin
Juroujin is a Chinese god who is famous as the god of longevity, and is said to live for a thousand years with a wave of his staff. He is also well known as a god of knowledge and culture.
| Temple Name | Gyohozan Kakuoin |
|---|---|
| Address | 95-1 Yunoguchi Ichinoyasuta Hirosaki Aomori |
| TEL | 0172-84-2127 |
Hoteison
Hoteison is said to be modeled on a monk existed in China. He is said to be an incarnation of the future Buddha image “Maitreya Bodhisattva” who will appear on earth to save people, and has a big belly to swallow the world’s impurities. Holding a sack containing many treasures, he is believed to bring good luck to people and fulfill their wishes.
| Temple Name | Akakurayama Kongoji |
|---|---|
| URL | https://kongoji.net/ |
| Address | 141 Yawatasaki Miyamoto Hirakawa Aomori |
| TEL | 0172-57-2548 |
