Tokyo New Year's Special: Shibamata Seven Lucky Gods One-Day Sightseeing Walking Tour with Guide
- Pray for good fortune in the new year at Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, a unique atmosphere that Tokyo's downtown boasts
- We will guide you through the precious experience of visiting the Seven Lucky Gods and collecting good fortune for the new year one by one.
- A New Year's journey to visit the Seven Lucky Gods and receive seven times the benefits and good fortune
- Enjoy the traditional taste of "Takagiya Shoten" dumplings, made with the rich aroma of mugwort and the elegant sweetness of bean paste.
- A professional guide and a Chinese/English tour guide will accompany you throughout the day, supporting your trip without language concerns.
- The cost of the colored paper and stamps required for the Seven Lucky Gods tour is all included in the tour price, so you can participate empty-handed with peace of mind.
Product Info
The content of this product is provided by machine translation and may not reflect the actual information, please take this into consideration before booking.
Introducing a 3-hour walking tour to bring good luck to the New Year, taking you around Shibamata, a town brimming with old-fashioned charm!
We will guide you through the special experience of visiting seven temples and shrines, including Shibamata Taishakuten, and collecting the stamps of the Seven Lucky Gods.
Receive good fortune at each location and recharge your luck for 2026!
Along the way...
Stop by Takagiya, a long-established store that has been in business for over 150 years, and try their famous dumplings.
The chewy dough with a hint of mugwort and the elegantly sweet bean paste make this the perfect treat for a break during your walking trip.
Another attraction of this tour is the reliable support system:
Accompanied by a professional guide who will provide detailed explanations of Shibamata's history and culture (guidance in Japanese)
A Chinese-British tour conductor accompanies you throughout the trip
We will provide guidance in Japanese using a multilingual simultaneous interpretation system.
It supports languages from around the world, including English, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, and Korean.
Please bring your smartphone. You can use it by scanning the QR code provided by the guide. (No special app installation is required.)
The Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage is a traditional event in which participants visit temples and shrines dedicated to the Seven Lucky Gods scattered throughout Japan, collecting goshuin stamps and praying for better fortune. The Seven Lucky Gods are Ebisu, Daikokuten, Bishamonten, Benzaiten, Fukurokuju, Jurojin, and Hotei, and each is said to bring blessings such as business prosperity, financial luck, academic success, and longevity. The pilgrimage involves visiting seven temples and shrines, each designated for a particular region, and receiving a goshuin stamp on a special colored paper or goshuin book. Collecting all seven goshuin stamps marks an auspicious pilgrimage, praying for good health and good fortune for the year. While pilgrimages are particularly popular around the New Year period, many regions are open year-round, and one of their attractions is that they can be easily participated in while enjoying a stroll. They are also popular as mementos of your trip, and each region offers a variety of unique goshuin stamps and routes. *The photo shows the 2025 Shibamata Seven Lucky Gods goshuin (temple seal) for reference only.
Takagiya Shosho is a long-established Japanese confectionery shop with over 100 years of history, located on the approach to Shibamata Taishakuten Temple in Tokyo. Their signature product, Kusadango, is widely known as a Shibamata specialty, with the softness that comes from being freshly made and the rich aroma of mugwort. They are a great accompaniment to strolling along the approach to the temple, and are also extremely popular as souvenirs.
Important Info
Reminders
A minimum of 6 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 7 day(s) before the departure date
Please arrive at the designated location 5 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
This tour is entirely on foot, so please refrain from participating if you have concerns about your legs or back.
FAQ
The Seven Gods of Fortune, or Shichifukujin, are a revered group of deities in Japan, often associated with good luck and prosperity. They include Ebisu (god of fishing and commerce), Daikokuten (god of wealth and harvests), Bishamonten (god of warriors and treasure), Benzaiten (goddess of arts, knowledge, and beauty), Fukurokuju (god of happiness, wealth, and longevity), Jurojin (god of longevity), and Hotei (god of contentment and good fortune). Pilgrimages to their shrines, like in Shibamata, are believed to bring blessings.
The Seven Gods of Fortune embody a unique blend of religious traditions in Japan, originating from indigenous Japanese (Shinto), Buddhist, and Taoist beliefs. While some, like Ebisu, are purely Shinto, others, such as Daikokuten and Bishamonten, have roots in Buddhism, and Fukurokuju, Jurojin, and Hotei derive from Taoism. This syncretic nature reflects Japan's long history of cultural and religious fusion, making the Shichifukujin universally cherished figures for good fortune across different spiritual paths.
In Japanese culture, the number seven holds significant symbolic meaning, often associated with good fortune, completeness, and spiritual journeys. This is prominently seen in the Seven Gods of Fortune pilgrimage, where visiting seven specific shrines or temples is believed to multiply blessings and ensure various forms of luck, such as prosperity, longevity, and happiness. The act of completing the full circuit of seven deities is thought to bring immense merit and a harmonious start to the new year.
To reach Shibamata Taishakuten from central Tokyo, the most convenient method is by train. You can take the Keisei Kanamachi Line to Shibamata Station. From major hubs like Ueno or Nihombashi, you can connect to the Keisei line. For example, from Ueno Station, take the Keisei Main Line to Keisei Takasago Station, then transfer to the Keisei Kanamachi Line for Shibamata. The temple is a pleasant 5-10 minute walk from Shibamata Station, leading you through the charming Taishakuten Sando shopping street.
A day trip to Shibamata offers a nostalgic journey into Tokyo's traditional downtown atmosphere. Visitors can explore the historic Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, known for its intricate wood carvings, and embark on a Seven Gods of Fortune pilgrimage to gather blessings. The charming Taishakuten Sando street, lined with retro shops, provides an opportunity to taste local delicacies like kusa dango. The area also boasts the Tora-san Museum and Yamamoto-tei, a traditional Japanese house with a beautiful garden, offering a glimpse into local life and cinematic history.
Shibamata is an exceptionally pedestrian-friendly district, ideal for a leisurely walking tour. The main points of interest are easily accessible on foot, typically within a 15-minute radius of Shibamata Station. Key attractions include the iconic Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, with its impressive wood carvings and tranquil gardens. Adjacent to the temple is the traditional Taishakuten Sando, a bustling street perfect for sampling local snacks and souvenirs. Visitors can also explore Yamamoto-tei and the Katsushika Shibamata Tora-san Museum, all connected by charming, walkable paths.
At Shibamata Taishakuten Temple, visitors can immerse themselves in centuries of Japanese spiritual and artistic heritage. The highlight is the Main Hall, adorned with elaborate and intricately carved wooden panels depicting Buddhist scriptures, a true masterpiece of craftsmanship. Stroll through the tranquil Suikeien Garden, designed in the traditional karesansui (dry landscape) style, offering a peaceful retreat. Many also participate in silent prayer or acquire Goshuin stamps as a memento of their visit, reflecting on the temple's profound spiritual significance.
When exploring Shibamata, a highly recommended traditional Japanese snack to try is kusa dango. These soft, chewy dumplings are made from mugwort (kusa) and rice flour, giving them a distinctive herbal flavor and a vibrant green hue. They are often served with a sweet red bean paste (anko) or a sprinkle of kinako (roasted soybean flour). Several historic shops along the Taishakuten Sando, such as Takagiya Rōho, specialize in freshly made kusa dango, offering an authentic taste of local Shibamata culture.
Get Help
