CHICHIBU QR TRAVEL GUIDE

Chichibu Pilgrimage Circuit

History and Culture

Chichibu Pilgrimage Temples

34 Temples dotting Chichibu Valley

The temples of the Chichibu Pilgrimage are included in the 100 Japanese Kannon Temples along with the 33 temples of the Saigoku Pilgrimage and the 33 temples of the Bando Pilgrimage. These sacred Kannon sites are dotted across three towns and one city: Chichibu city; and Yokoze, Minano, and Ogano in Chichibu county. One circuit of the pilgrimage from the 1st temple, Shimanbeji, to the 34th temple, Suisenji, is about 100 km.

Chichibu Pilgrimage Association website

1 Chichibu 34 Kannon Pilgrimage Historical Overview
2 Suggested Day Trip Route
3 Experience
4 Onsen Food and Drink
5 Chichibu Yomatsuri

First Temple - Shimabu-ji

The first temple on the pilgrimage, Shimabu-ji, was built in Genroku 10 (1697) and is known for the magnificent Kannon-do Hall perfectly suited to prayer. Within the grounds is a small kiosk supplying the thin, sleeveless overgarments worn by pilgrims, woven bamboo hats, loop-shaped monk's stoles, walking sticks, books of stamps and other items used by those on a pilgrimage.

Address: 418 Tochiya, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture

Phone: 0494-22-4525

Fourth Temple - Kinshō-ji

Visitors walking through the Deva gate hung with large straw sandals are greeted by neat lines of some 1,300 stone Buddhas, a Saitama prefectural designated cultural property. Among the stone Buddhas is a humorous temperance Jizo (drunkard Jizo; Jizo being the guardian deity of children) wearing a large cup on its head. And don’t miss the Edo-period Jibo (affectionate mother) Kannon (Goddess of Mercy), located in the Kannon-do Hall corridor.

Address: 1803 Yamada, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture

Phone: 0494-23-0976

Thirteenth Temple - Jigen-ji

The massive main temple gate, beautifully decorated Kannon-do Hall, the Yakushi-do Hall (healing Buddha hall) to its right, and images of the 13 deities said to have established the Chichibu Temples are all highlights of this temple. During the Ame Yakushi festival on July 8, the temple grounds bustle with people praying for healthy eyes.

Address: 26-7 Higashi-machi, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture

Phone: 0494-23-6813

Fifteenth Temple - Shōrin-ji

Once part of Chichibu Shrine, this temple was established in its current form following a merger of Hahasozan Zōfuku-ji and Goyōzan Shōrin-ji temples. An offering depicting the wonder of the Goddess Kannon is located within the Meiji-era Western-style architecture of the white plaster walls of the Main Hall.

Address: 7-9 Banba-machi, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture

Phone: 0494-22-3541

Seventeenth Temple - Jyōrin-ji

The temple’s Buddhist bell, designated an art treasure by Saitama Prefecture, is engraved with exquisite reliefs of Japan's top 100 principal objects of worship at temples. Originally, this temple was erected as the city temple of a forestry family, hence it is also known as “rin-ji” (forest temple).

Address: 21-3 Sakuragi-machi, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture

Phone: 0494-22-6857

Twenty-third Temple - Ongaku-ji

Situated beside Chichibu Muse Park, the name of this temple prompts some singers to visit and pray for a hit. The Buddhist bell used to signal the Chichibu incident in 1884 is still a strong presence.

Address: 3773 Terao, Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture

Phone: 0494-25-3018

Twenty-eighth Temple - Hashidate-do

The only temple of the Chichibu Temples in which Bato Kanzeon is enshrined. The temple backs onto an 80-meter high rocky mountain complete with rock shelter remains which indicate that Jomon people once lived in the area, giving visitors a tantalizing glimpse of ancient times. Also, the minor temple at the rear is a limestone grotto which is a treat for tourists.