🏮 Shorinzan Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Ichi

少林山七草大祭だるま市

Takasaki, Gunma (少林山達磨寺) · Every year on 6 January

Traditional performing artsFood stalls

114 days to go
Rooms around Takasaki, Gunma fill up while the festival is on.

The Shorinzan Nanakusa Taisai Daruma Market is held every year on January 6 and 7 at Shorinzan Daruma Temple in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture. With about 200 years of history, this festival is known as the original daruma market held in the birthplace of the daruma, and it bustles with people seeking the auspicious Takasaki daruma. It is held in conjunction with the Nanakusa Taisai, and features prayers in the main hall, sales of daruma, and food and merchandise stalls. The daruma is said to have originated from the "okiagari koboshi" (a self-righting tumbler doll) modeled on the seated meditation posture of Bodhidharma, who founded the foundations of Zen Buddhism. Shorinzan Daruma Temple is the birthplace of the daruma, and it has been cherished as an auspicious charm embodying the spirit of "fall down seven times, get up eight." The highlight is the overnight event from the eve of the festival on the 6th through the auspicious day of the 7th, making it a lively New Year tradition. In particular, many worshippers visit for the descent of the main deity on the morning of the 7th, and another feature is the chance to see traditional Noh and Kyogen performances.

Getting there

From JR Takasaki Station, take the JR Shinetsu Main Line to Gunma Yahata Station (about 21 minutes), then walk about 6 minutes. Alternatively, about 20 minutes by taxi from Takasaki Station.