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1 (Ichi-ban) Shimabu-ji*Each QR code is linked to Google Maps

12 (Ju-ni-ban) Nosaka-ji

See Highlighted Temples

See the many Buddhist statues including Kannon who will bear
your illness, anger and worries herself, and a Kannon astride abull. The temple garden is gorgeous with seasonal flowers.

Shimabu-ji was made the first temple on the pilgrimage tomake it easier for pilgrims from Edo arriving from over themountains to the east of Chichibu.

2 (Ni-ban) Shinpuku-ji
Small and quiet temple on the top of a hill. The longclimb up is the ini al trial on the pilgrimage path. Visit
Komyo-ji temple for an inscrip on in your nokyo-cho.

13 (Ju-san-ban) Jigen-ji See Highlighted Temples(Komyo-ji)

3 (San-ban) Josen-ji

4 (Yon-ban) Kinsho-ji See Highlighted Temples

YokozeHanno

Seibu Shinjuku
LineSeibu
Railway

6 (Roku-ban) Bokuun-ji

TohokuShinkansennseanineinkiLShakas

Seibu Chichibu

eo Linachik
JR H

Ohanabatake
Mitsumineguchi

KumagayaJo eu
Yorii Chichibtsu
Railway
Tobu To J R T
jo Line akThe Kannon statue of this temple was once enshrined at thesummit of Mt. Buko. If walking, it is a good idea to visit
Temple 7 before Temple 6.

Kawagoe Omiya

Ikebukuro
Shinjuku

UenoTokyor Line
Keisei skyline

NaritaAirport

ShinagawauikyKeLine

Mt.Fujinansehink
ido SToka

Shin-fujiTokyo BayHaneda
Airport

9SeibuYokoze Railway

Seibu Chichibu

4min.

Ueno

Tobu Tojo Line
80min.
JR Takasaki Line
60min.

(Kyu-ban) Akechi-dera16 (Ju-roku-ban) Saiko-ji See Highlighted Temples(Choko-ji)

The Fudado hall, which was once a Kannon hall, is the oldest relicin the Chichibu pilgrimage. There are many points of interest suchas the corridor with 88 statues of Buddhist dei es represen ng the88 temples of the Shikoku pilgrimage.

17 (Ju-nana-ban) Jorin-ji
Originally the first temple on the pilgrimage. The beau ful temple bell with
100 images of Kannon in relief is also engraved with songs of praise toBuddha from each fudasho. This temple appears in the anime “Anohana” .

20D(Ni-ju-roku-ban) En-yu-ji(Ni-ju-ban) Iwano-ue-do
Look down over the Kannon hall and beau ful gardens below as
you arrive at this unusual temple. The colorful cloth monkeys
strung together hanging from the ceiling inside the hall, literally
called the thousand monkeys, are a gorgeous sight.
The Kannon statue here is revered as a protector against fire, as thestatue miraculously survived a fire that destroyed the original temple.
See the six stone Jizo and many other a rac ve Jizo statues here.

"Doji" literally means children, and it is guarded by Nio guardians
who look like mischievous children. See the carvings of the godsof thunder and wind on the doors of the Kannon hall.

Yorii
Kumagaya

Chichibu
Railway

40min.
Chichibu
Railway

70min.

Ohanabatake
Ohanabatake

Saitama Prefectural Government Tourism Division
3-15-1 Takasago, Urawa-ku, Saimata City, Saitama 330-9301(Iwai-do)See Highlighted Temples

Climb 116 steep stone steps. Nio guardians are usually foundinside gates or in front of a Kannon hall, but here they glare at
you from inside the hall.

25 (Ni-ju-go-ban) Kyusho-ji
The view from the Benten-ike or pond behind the Kannon hall
is a must-see. There is a stone said to be given by Enma, theKing of Hell, for use as a prin ng block and you can buy a print
inspired by the stone’s design.

18 (Ju-hachi-ban) Godo-ji

The well-tended sloping Japanese garden is one of the most beau ful
on the pilgrimage. Many treasures and rare old wooden nameplatesof pilgrims from the 16th century are kept in the Kannon hall.

The Kannon hall perched on a giant rock is worth seeing. The legend
has it that when the farmers prayed for rain during a drought, adragon burst out of the rock bed bringing rain as it ascended skyward.

White vest(Oizuru)“Two traveling together”
is wri en on the sedge
hat, meaning that thepilgrim is accompaniedby the spirit of Kobo
Daishi.

同行二人StoleE

32 (San-ju-ni-ban) Hosho-ji

See Highlighted Temples

See Highlighted Temples

As the inner sanctuary has a Kannon statue perched on an enormousrock that looks like the bow of a giant ship, the temple is popularly
known as Rock Boat Kannon. The panoramic scenery is astounding.

Staﬀ(Kongozue)
This wooden staﬀ ishelpful when walking
on rough paths. It issaid to represent Kobo
Daishi, who guides you
so you are not alone
on the route.

Temple No.34
Suisen-ji

Many of the temples in Areas B and D on the map can be reached fromsta ons on the Chichibu Railway line. IC cards are not accepted.

, (Bus stop)
Seibu Kanko Bus has bus stops near most of the temples. You cansearch the metables for each bus stop here (QR). There are also
other bus companies. Whichever line you use, please research thebus mes in advance as the services are infrequent.

Comple ng the pilgrimage is called kechigan, or fulfilling a vow. This
temple is the last on the Chichibu pilgrimage and also on the Japan
100 Kannon pilgrimage. You can leave your pilgrimage goods here.

Bicycles and e-bikes are available for rent for 2, 4 or 6 hours. They must
be returned the same day, and an extra fee is charged if you return them
to a diﬀerent loca on. See the map for rental and return loca ons.

Sutra book
White socks(White Tabi)

Fee for Nokyo

Nokyo-cho (Book for Nokyo)

complete the pilgrimage.
・You can visit the temples in order from No.1 to No.34, or in
any order that suits you.
There are various kinds of signs to the temples along the route.
・While part of the route is through towns, part of it involves
walking over mountain passes and on unpaved paths throughmountains. Wear walking shoes and appropriate clothing, andplan your trip according to your fitness level.
・Make sure to check the bus and train metables in advance,as the services are infrequent.
・If walking the pilgrimage, spring and autumn are the best
seasons. We recommend avoiding walking when it is too hotor too cold.

How to use this brochure
・The map is divided into five areas (A to E) depending on thegeography of the area. Area A is rural. Area B is through thetown. Area C is hilly and Areas D and E are mountainous.
・In addi on to walking, areas A to D can also be travelled bybicycle or e-bike. Area E is a long way from town and has many
ups and downs, so it is worth considering travelling by car.
・If you will only be in Chichibu for a day or two, the “HighlightedTemples” sec on lists the most popular temples.
・The map is not to scale, so please refer to the table below for
the “Distance between each temple” . The “Walking Time” isan average walking me.
・QR codes for each temple will take you to maps and direc onsto the temple.
We have included a seven day sample i nerary for reference.

How to visit temples*It is bad luck to ring it when you leave.

Red Stamp Sign & Red Stamp
200 yen・It will take at least two days by car or five days on foot to

1. Bow once at the main gate.
2. Wash hands and rinse mouth at the purifica on basin.
3. Ring the temple bell (Bonsho) once if available.

This acts as proof that you have visited
each temple. Have it signed and stamped
a er worshipping at the temple. It will
cost a li le to have it stamped, so it is agood idea to have small change ready.

34 (San-ju-yon-ban) Suisen-ji

People pray here for recovery from illness and for longevity.
Look out for the ema for wri ng prayers. They have impressive
depic ons of the 10th century head abbot, Ganzan Daishi.

BellNokyo

In spring the pilgrimage route passes through a gorgeous tunnel ofcherry blossoms. From an era in which infan cide was prac ced,
the picture of the demon admonishing a mother about to strangle
her child reminds us of the preciousness of our children.

11 (Ju-ichi-ban) Joraku-ji

Zuda bagWhite pants

33 (San-ju-san-ban) Kikusui-ji

It is said that if you stroke part of the figure of Binzuru(Pindola), you can heal that part of yourself. This temple
appears in the anime “Kokosake” .

White robe (Hakui)
Wearing the white vest
will intensify the spiritual
feeling of the pilgrimage.
It also holds the meaningof a burial ou it, and in
the past pilgrims wore it tosymbolize that they wereprepared to die on what
was then a dangerous
journey.
RosaryIn the past, monks meditated under the waterfall to the le of theKannon hall. It is also said that throughout the temple grounds there
are as many as 108,000 stone statues and carvings of Buddha.

19 (Ju-kyu-ban) Ryuseki-ji

Sedge hat (Sugegasa)

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31 (San-ju-ichi-ban) Kannon-in

In the corridor behind the Kannon hall you will find a colorfulrope connected to the Kannon. Grasp it to shake hands withKannon. Many other Buddhist statues are also enshrined here.

Pilgrim’s ou it

A great spot for a rest, with a 140m limestone cave, café andsoba restaurant in the grounds.

The weeping cherry that blooms in early April is even more beau ful
than the pain ng of cherry blossoms by Katsushika Hokusai in themain hall. Gorgeous garden with flowers year-round.

How to do the Pilgrimage

The picture illustrates the tradi onal pilgrimage ou it, however it is notnecessary to have everything. You may like to have just the nokyo-cho(accordion-style book for collec ng stamps from Buddhist temples andShinto shrines) and dress casually. However, if you have something that
iden fies you as a pilgrim, such as a staﬀ or white robe, the local peoplewill recognize you and welcome you warmly. The items are available atsome temples including Temples 1 and 13.

From the hills above the temple, the Kannon statue with her
gentle expression protects those below her. A 20 minuteclimb from behind the Kannon hall.

30 (San-ju-ban) Houn-ji(Ni-ju-yon-ban) Hosen-ji

10 (Ju-ban) Daiji-ji

The sample i neraries on this brochure start and finish at
Seibu Chichibu Sta on or Yokoze Sta on on the Seibu ChichibuLine. Yokoze Sta on is the nearest sta on to Temple 9.

Don’t miss the tranquil inner sanctuary Iwai-do,
the Kannon hall in the mountains away from themain hall.

29 (Ni-ju-kyu-ban) Chosen-in

See Highlighted Temples

This same temple bell was rung in 1884 as a signal for thefarmers who were shackled in debt to launch their armed
uprising against the government in the Chichibu Rebellion.

24

See HighlightedTemples

28 (Ni-ju-hachi-ban) Hashidate-do See Highlighted Temples

22 (Ni-ju-ni-ban) Doji-do

23 (Ni-ju-san-ban) Ongaku-ji

26 + Oku-no-in Iwai-doPilgrimage goods

27 (Ni-ju-nana-ban) Daien-ji

21 (Ni-ju-ichi-ban) Kannon-ji

The Kannon enshrined in the hexagonal Kannon hall is a
protector of women in childbirth and child rearing. Thetemple a racts many women worshippers.

Seibu Railway Express 80min.

Ikebukuro

8 (Hachi-ban) Saizen-ji See Highlighted Temples
Pray for a long healthy life and a peaceful death. The 600 year
old maple tree is a must-see.

Mishima

Ikebukuro

It is also called the Lying Cow Hall a er the legend of acowherd who came upon a cow lying down and thinking it
strange, dug up the spot to find a Kannon statue.

Chiba

Tokorozawa

Tokyo

7 (Nana-ban) Hocho-ji

J R Narita LineSaitama

A er it was destroyed in a great fire in Chichibu in 1878, thetemple was rebuilt in western style using concrete. The impression
may be diﬀerent from other temples, but the numerous fuda
nametags stuck to the ceiling remind us it is a fudasho.

5 (Go-ban) Goka-do
Many people pray for literar y or academicachievement. Visit the nearby Choko-ji temple
for an inscrip on in your nokyo-cho.

Minano15 (Ju-go-ban) Shorin-ji

See the popular stone statue of the Virgin Mary Kannon. Try
the soba or udon noodles inside the temple grounds.

C●奉順拝観音霊場

Train Access to Chichibu from Tokyo

The temple precinct is modest now, however in the past it was grandas it shared grounds with the neighboring Chichibu Imamiya Shrine.
The huge zelkova tree between the two reminds us of the old days.

AREA●南無観世音菩薩

Access

The temple’s ema, or small wooden plaques for wri ng
prayers have a design that depicts a pair of eyes. You canpurchase pilgrimage goods here.

14 (Ju-yon-ban) Imamiya-bo

The intricately carved dragons on the front of the Kannon hall
are superb. It is said that if you touch the fer lity stone you
will be blessed with children.
Temple No.29
Chosen-in

B

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300 yenTidbitWho is Kobo Daishi (Kukai) ?
Kukai or Kobo Daishi was a priest who founded Shingon Buddhism inJapan in the 9th century. He is said to have founded the Shikoku
pilgrimage route of 88 temples, and also to have a connec on withthe Chichibu pilgrimage.

4. Throw a coin into the oﬀering box and ring the bell with the rope.
5. Pray while pu ng your palms together in front of your chest, and bow once.
6. Get your nokyo-cho stamped and singed here.
7. Bow at the main gate when you leave.

Temple hours
Spring /Summer 8:00 am - 5:00 pm(Mar. to Oct.)

Autumn / Winter 8:00 am - 4:00 pm(Nov. to Feb.)*Closed for lunch 12:00pm - 12:30pm

Chichibu 34 Kannon
Temple Circuit
The Pilgrimage on Tokyo’s Doorstep