Chichibu Pilgrimage Shared Walking Tour

Chichibu Pilgrimage Temple No. 1: Shimabu-ji | Start your Chichibu Pilgrimage at Shimabu-ji, Temple No. 1 of the 34 sacred sites, where a warm welcome awaits every traveler. Here you’ll put on a traditional oizuru (pilgrim’s white vest) and learn the basic rituals that mark the beginning of your journey. Friendly local practitioners will guide you through the customs and share stories of the pilgrimage’s long history. You’ll also receive your own goshuincho (temple stamp book) to collect seals along the route—a heartfelt keepsake of your first step into Chichibu’s living Buddhist tradition.

Chichibu Pilgrimage Temple No. 3: Jōsen-ji | The third stop on the pilgrimage, is a place of deep spiritual healing nestled serenely within tranquil rice fields, offering a perfect pause to refresh the body and mind. It is widely known as the "Kannon of Conception", where devotees pray to the Stone of Conception (Komochi-ishi) for the blessing of children. Visitors can also sample the Water of Longevity (Chōmei-sui), a sacred spring believed to cure ailments and grant long life. As a central part of your experience here, you will partake in Shōjin Ryōri (traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), enjoying a humble yet profoundly nourishing meal in the temple's quiet setting, allowing you to cleanse your spirit and prepare for the journey ahead.

Chichibu Pilgrimage Temple No. 10: Daiji-ji | The 10th temple on the Chichibu Pilgrimage, is a place where tradition and tranquility meet. Here, you can join a zazen (seated meditation) session, letting yourself fully enjoy the quiet and the gentle presence of nature around you. You’ll also encounter the famous Obinzuru‑sama statue—legend says that touching the part of the statue corresponding to an area of your body may bring healing. This combination of meditation and cultural discovery makes Daijiji a memorable and refreshing stop on your pilgrimage journey.

Chichibu Pilgrimage Temple No. 11: Joraku-ji | The 11th stop on the sacred Chichibu Pilgrimage, is a must-see sanctuary dramatically perched on a hill, offering one of the best panoramic views of the city below. Known as the "Temple of Healing and Longevity," its main deity, the Eleven-Headed Kannon, is primarily revered for granting healing from illness and long life. This stop provides a unique cultural opportunity: Sutra Copying (Shakyō). This meditative practice involves carefully tracing Buddhist scriptures with a brush, a tranquil activity meant to clear the mind, deepen spiritual connection, and allow travelers to leave a personal offering at the temple. By visiting Jōrakuji, you connect with a profound tradition of faith while gaining a spectacular viewpoint high above Chichibu and participating in a deeply reflective Japanese Buddhist practice.