Introduction
31 Kannon-in
3

Pilgrimage Route
Pilgrimage Route(unpaved road)
Intersection
SchoolBus stop
Rent-a-biketo Gunma

Mitagawa Post Office
Kurio

AREA

E

Oyahana Sta.
Minano Sta.
Shimohara

Ryuseikaikan mae

Minano-Chichibu Bypass

Hoyoji Temple
Yakushido 卍Roadside Station
Ryokami Onsen
Yakushinoyu

25min

3260minBus stop“Matsuida”

35min

33

30min

29
BushuNakagawa
Sta.

32

Road Sta.
RyokamiOnsen

100min120minChichibu Myuzu Park-N. Ent.

AREA

C

AREA

Bus stop“Kurio”

Tomoegawa-bashi
Myuzu Park Ent.

B

1513

Jigen-ji

Kyusho-jishi

25

Seibu Chichibu Sta.

Shirakawa
Bridge卍

30 Houn-ji

DSeiunji Temple

29Rai

Chosen-in

Daien-ji

27

Hashidate
Limestone cave
28 Hashidate-do

Giant Kannon
Statue12

En-yu-jiNosaka-ji

ayilw

AREA

A

YokozeTown Hall
Chominkaikan mae

Akechi-dera 9

KotohiraraShrine

Hocho-ji
7

Terasaka Terraced
Rice Paddies

Bokuun-ji

Iwai

19 0.8 km 20 0.9 km 21 1.4 km 22 1.4 km 23 3.5 km 24 2.9 km 25 3.8 km 26 0.9 km -do 1.8 km 27
27 1.2 km 28 1.8 km 29 7.1 km 30 18.0 km 31 12.0 km 32 7.5 km 33 8.9 km 34

8Mt.BukoSaizen-ji
Ashigakubo Sta.

Roadside Station
Kajukoen Ashigakubo
to H
to Hanno
anno40min

Municipal Jorin-ji
Hospital
Shiritsubyoin iriguchi

Chichibu Nakamura
Post Office

The Chichibu Local
Promotion CenterMotomachi

Imamiya-bo

Chichibu
Information
Center Jigen-ji
Bukosan Tourist
Information Center35min

91716

Chichibu Shrine

Chichibu Jinja mae

Chichibu Local Office N

Distance between each temple

26 En-yu-ji +Oku-no-in Iwai-do

The main hall is the widest of
all the 34 temples, and thecontrast between the black
roof les and white walls isbeau ful. The garden is also
lovely but the mostfascina ng part of thistemple is the innermost
sanctuary called the Iwaido.
A er walking a while, passthrough the factory grounds,
climb the 300 steep stone
steps and you will find thehall built in harmony withnature. Standing on apla orm ju ng out from thecliﬀ, the hall is reminiscent of
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto.

The first thing that grabs youra en on is the pair ofenormous straw sandals hanging
over the gate. A er entering
through the gate you will findthe temple compound filled withnearly 1300 stone Buddha
statues. There is even an imageof a deity swearing oﬀ alcohol
while si ng on a sake barrel!
However the most popular
statue is that of the loving
mother, Jibo Kannon, in front of
the main hall. The expression of
the young mother nursing herbaby invokes the Virgin Mary,and many people visit to pray forchildren and families.

4Kinsho-ji

The old custom on apilgrimage was to nailwooden vo ve tablets to thepillars as proof of a pilgrim’ svisit, and even now you cansee the numerous nail holes
remaining on the pillar of thebuilding on the right of thetemple compound. On thele is a round thatch roofedbuilding that is actually awooden barrel once used for
brewing sake and dedicatedt o D a i ko k u , t h e g o d o fwealth. Many people leave abusiness card here as they
pray for wealth andprosperity in business.

16 Saiko-ji

Instead of returning down
the stone steps, walk another20 minutes along theKotohira hiking course, amountain path that traverses
the ridge, and you will reachthe 15m high Kannon statue.
While Kannon statues usuallyfe at u re l o t u s b u d s , t h i sKannon is carrying a sword.
A er enjoying the view, hikedown to the Kannon hall ofDaien-ji. Con nue further andyou will reach the spring withthe water of longevity infront of the main hall. It issaid that you can live an extra
33 months if you take a sip.

27 Daien-ji

1513

Seibu Chichibu Sta.

Shorin-ji

Chichibu Sta.
Chichibu
Matsuri HallRoadside
Station Chichibu
Uenomachi

Ohanabatake Sta.
Chichibu City Hall Joraku-ji
Chichibu MeisenMuseum

11

8 Saizen-ji

You will be greeted by two
frightening statues of Nio
guardians on either side of
the gate, the largest suchstone statues of Nio
guardians in Japan. A er
climbing 296 stone steps,
you reach the Kannon hallsituated at the base of a cliﬀ
in the most spiritual andpeaceful atmosphere. To thele of the waterfall you can
see thousands of small
images of Buddha carved inthe sandstone. It is said that
Kobo Daishi carved these in asingle night using hisfingernails.

31 Kannon-inn

Yo u w i l l b e st r u c k b y t h e
i m p o s i n g stat u e o f a N i oguardian in the temple gate
and the expression on thedemonic Hannya mask. Passthrough the gap in the rocks
just before the Kannon hall andup the rough mountain pathand steep rock face, you willreach the Oku-no-in, or inner
sanctuary, at the top of a giant
rock. On the edge of the rockstands a statue of Boat Kannon
and further on Dainichi Nyorai
Buddha is wai ng in theshadow of the rock. The rockcan be slippery and dangerous.
Great care must be taken.

32 Hosho-ji

Sample itineraries for a pilgrimage to all 34 temples
Walking●DAY1 (Temple 1-9) 14.3km
Saiko-ji

Iwai-do

10 1.0 km 11 1.5 km 12 1.4 km 13 0.6 km 14 0.7 km 15 0.8 km 16 1.3 km 17 1.1 km 18 1.5 km 1919

Chichibu Downtown Map

Chichibu
14 Imamiya
Shrine1 2.1 km 2 2.5 km 3 1.4 km 4 1.3 km 5 2.1 km 7 0.7 km 6 1.7 km 8 1.8 km 9 2.2 km 1025min

81825min 25min

6Yokozebashi

10min

620minChoko-ji

Yokoze Sta.

22735min7

Iwai-do 17

Goka-do 5

Yokoze Town office26

Shinpuku-ji

20min

51628

Sakagori

Hitsujiyama
Park

1560min 15min

to Higashi Chichibu

20min

425min 20min

Kinsho-ji

Joraku-ji 11ylwa

Kagemori Sta.
Urayamaguchi
Sta.

Daiji-ji

14264（Stamp officeSports ground for Temple 5）

hibu
Chic

Bushu-Nakagawa
Sta.

10325min 20min

Furusato
footbridge

Roadside StationChichibu

Ohanabatake Sta. Uenomachi

Kagemori Sta. Ent.

Chichibu City Hall
Arakawa Branch

Shorin-ji

1325（Stamp officefor Temple 2）
Chichibu Police Station

15min

60min 15minTochiya

Chichibu Sta.

1424

Komyo-ji

24

Komyo-ji

mana

AREA

18 Godo-ji

1240min 25min
50min 10min

1

FudashoIchibanFor pilgrims in the Edo period,
this was the first temple they
arrived at. The main Kannonhall with its crimson walls isadorned with intricate carvingsof paradise to the le and hellto the right above the door. In
front of the main hall are eight
guardian dei es which eachprotect people born indiﬀerent years of the Zodiac.
You can find the deity for yourbirth year and pray for good
fortune and health. You canpurchase pilgrimage goods at
the li le shop in the oﬃce.

This temple is also known
locally as Ameyakushi .Oneof the buildings in thetemple compound isdedicated to Yakushi, theBuddhist god of medicine,
who is believed to have thepower to cure eye ailments,and many people visit topray for the health of theireyes. You can also drink
green tea that is good for theeyes. It is said that when apilgrim rotates the hexagonal
shelf that houses 1630
precious sutras, they will be
blessed as if they have read
all the sutras.

45min
35min

23

Shimabu-ji

13 Jigen-ji

225min 20min

22Zuiganji Temple

Josen-ji

Imamiya-bo

Hosen-ji

1

1121

17
Aioicho10

10min 30min

340minRoadside Station Bushu-Hino
Sta.
Arakawa

Walking Time
20

Onohara Sta.

Saiko-ji 16

Sakura-bashi

31

Shiroku Sta.

Ryuseki-ji

Jorin-ji

Chichibu Downtown

ChichibuKoen
Bridge60min

Mitsumineguchi
Sta.

Chichibu Bridge

19Minoyama
Park

22 Doji-do

30
Mitsumineguchi Sta.

20

Iwano - ue-do

Ongaku-ji
23

Chichibu Muse Park

40min

Minano-Yo

Minoyama Ent.

Chichibu Bridge

21

Nagawaka

Hosho-ji

90min

Road Sta.
RyuseiKaikan

34

Kannon-ji

Thirteen
Jizo statues

30min

120min

30min

to Ya

Hijiri Shrine
Wadokuroya Sta.

OdamakiMatsuida

DainichiToge Passrii Bypass

Minano-Otsuka I.C

Ra

28

40min

FudatatePassto Yorii

Minano-Nagatoro I.C

Kikusui-ji

IzumidaRoadside Station
Minanoibu

70min
DainichiPass

MinanoTown Hall

Wado-Kuroya Sta.

Walking Time

Ryokami Post OfficePublic Hotel Ryokami-so

33

1 Shimabu-jiioriito Y

Roadside Station
Ryusei Kaikan

Torikata

Ogano Post Office
Ogano Police Station

Ogano Town Hall

Highlighted Temples

Kami-Nagatoro Sta.
Kunikamiich

Ryokami Government Office Ent.

Nagatoro Sta.

Chichibu-Maita I.CHaramachi

Ogano
Town Hall

Nogami Sta.

Fudatate Toge Pass

Kurokaido Bypass

Ogano Town Hall
Ryokami Office

Y mHodosan Shrine to Ku

Suisen-ji

Chichibu City Hall
Yoshida Branch
Muku Shrine卍 (Mizuko) Jizoji Temple

to Gunmaai , ayori ag

N

34 Fudasho-mae

Ch

On a Kannon pilgrimage, pilgrims walk a circuit of temples
dedicated to Kannon bodhisa va, a compassionate deity whohears people’s cries and helps those who are suﬀering.
The Chichibu pilgrimage to 34 temples dedicated to Kannon is partof an impressive and historic pilgrimage called the Japan 100
Kannon pilgrimage that also includes the Saigoku pilgrimage to 33
temples in western Japan and the Bando pilgrimage to 33 temples
in eastern Japan.
The temples on the Chichibu pilgrimage are called fudasho,fudasho literally
meaning the place for wooden nameplates or fuda. It originatedfrom the old prac ce of pilgrims nailing wooden nameplates to thesides of the temples to mark their visit.
It is thought that the Chichibu pilgrimage began in the early 13thcentury. At first it consisted of 33 temples, however one more
temple was added in the 16th century to create the Japan 100
Kannon pilgrimage including the Saigoku and Bando pilgrimages. In
the 17th century, many pilgrims visited Chichibu from nearby Edo(present-day Tokyo) to complete the Chichibu pilgrimage as thetotal distance is only 100km, and therefore rela vely easier tocomplete than the Saigoku and Bando pilgrimages which are eachover 1,000km.
The pilgrimage route walked by people in the Edo period (16031868) is called the Old Edo Pilgrimage Road.
Road Walking on this routecan be a moving experience as you discover the history of Chichibu
on this path that has been walked for hundreds of years. The map
in this brochure follows the ancient route where possible.
Welcome to the historic Chichibu 34 Kannon pilgrimage! Pleaseenjoy walking the route whether to discover the history, seek help
from Kannon bodhisa va, or enjoy the scenery and hiking.

to Honjo

LegendAs you enter the temple
compound, you will be met
by a magnificent maple tree.
The beau ful carpet of moss,
the moss-covered statue of
Ka n n o n a n d t h e s i x J i zo
statues create a peaceful
temple atmosphere. It iseven more gorgeous whenthe maple leaves turn red. In
front of the main hall you
will find a copper statue of
Binzuru (also known as
Pindola Bharadvaja). It is said
that if you stroke part of thestatue, you can heal that partof yourself.

23 Ongaku-jii

This temple is in the ChichibuMuse Park. The name of thetemple literally means Music
Temple in Japanese, andmany singers come here top ray fo r a h i t s o n g ! T h esound of the bell is alsobeau ful. Walk up a li lebehind the Kannon hall toenjoy a panoramic view ofChichibu, and in spring thewonderful cherry blossoms.
A li le further on are 13 Jizo
statues, and from here too
you can enjoy the cherry
blossom scenery in spring.

do28 Hashidate-do

Hashidate-do is set at thefoot of an imposing 65m
c l i ﬀ. T h e i m a g e o f t h ehorse-headed Kannon who
devours evil is extremelyrare as there are only twosuch images among thetemples of the Japan 100
Kannon pilgrimage. This
deity also protects against
traﬃc accidents and many
people visit to pray for safe
journeys in traﬃc. The
limestone cave in the temple
grounds is a cool spot evenin summer. However, the cave
is closed from December toFebruary.

●DAY6 (Temple 32) 13.9km

S →→[ Fudasho Ichiban] or→[ Kurio]→Pilgrimage32→
S →[ Tochiya]→Pilgrimage1-9→[Yokoze Sta.] [ Matsuida]→→ S●DAY2 (Temple 9-19) 14.2km●DAY7 (Temple 33-34) 12.3km[Yokoze Sta.]→Pilgrimage9-19→[Onohara S →→[ Matsuida]→Pilgrimage33-34
Sta.]→ → O → → S→[ Fudasho mae]→→[Minano Sta.]→ →O→ → S

●DAY3 (Temple 19-25) 16.0km

S → → O → →[Onohara Sta.]→
Pilgrimage19-25→[Kagemori Sta.]→ →O→ →S●DAY4 (Temple 26-30) 16.5km
S → → O → →[Kagemori Sta.]→
Pilgrimage26-30→[Mitsumineguchi Sta.]→ →O→ → S

●DAY5 (Temple 31) 18.7km
S → → O → →[Mitsumineguchi Sta.]→Pilgrimage31→[ Kurio]→→S

S Seibu Chichibu Sta. O Ohanabatake Sta.
Note・Seibu Chichibu Sta. and Ohanabatake
Sta. are about 400m apart.
・The schedules assume a start of 9am
and finish of around 5pm. It is also
possible to complete the pilgrimage infive days, depending on how long you
stay at each temple on the way.
・The bus and train services are infrequent,and it is necessary to check the Ɵmetables
in advance.