![](https://img.japankuru.com/prg_img/thumbnail1/img2021022615060906193300.jpg)
CONTENTS
Immerse yourself, mind and body, in the beautiful nature, culture, and spiritual history of Chichibu, by going on an ancient temple pilgrimage.
A Chichibu Pilgrimage
Tucked away along mountain paths or in small rural villages, the Chichibu 34 Kannon Temple Circuit (秩父札所三十四巡り) is an ancient pilgrimage route, stopping at 34 different temples in Saitama's Chichibu area. Since the 13th century, pilgrims have been hiking up mountains, wandering through beautiful forests, getting directions from locals, and making their way to these many Buddhist temples, all in white robes (called hakui, 白衣) and straw hats (sugegasa, 菅笠). If you love tranquil hikes, amazing views of eastern Japan, temple visits, or collecting goshuin, here are some of the spots to visit first!
Temple Recommendations
① Temple #13 ・ Jigenji Temple (慈眼寺)
With 34 temples on the pilgrimage, there are 34 different options, so where do you even start!? Well, only seven minutes from Seibu Chichibu Station, Jigenji Temple is the most accessible of the 34 different temples. Because of this convenient location, many travelers will begin their pilgrimage from Jigenji, and the temple makes it especially appealing by selling many of the items that pilgrims take with them as they go.
The Buddhist image at Jigenji Temple is said to provide protection to the eyes, so many people will write their wishes and prayers on the temple's ema (絵馬) votive tablets painted with "め," which means "eyes." They even offer tea brewed from the "megusuri no ki" tree (目薬の木), which is said to be good for the eyes!
② Temple #32 ・ Hoshoji Temple (法性寺)
Hoshoji Temple: the only temple on the pilgrimage with a bell tower. But that's not all this temple has! Visitors can try meditation at Hoshoji to purify the mind and body, and climb the rather rugged path to the inner sanctuary. It's a taxing journey, but the beautiful view, peaceful atmosphere, and Buddhist figures waiting at the end of the road make it worth all the trouble.
③ Temple #23 ・ Ongakuji Temple (音楽寺)
"Ongaku" means music in Japanese, which makes this the temple of music. Ongakuji is a popular destination for musicians, who come to pray for a hit single, but it's also home to 13 stone statues, who represent the 13 Buddhas who established this pilgrimage in 1234. Those same Buddhas are said to have given the temple its name, declaring that the sound of the wind rushing through the surrounding pine trees sounded like the music of the bodhisattvas.
④ Temple #26 ・ Enyuuji Temple (圓融寺)
Make the difficult climb up 300 stone steps through the beautiful forest, and you'll be rewarded by a spectacular view, a little like the famous Kiyomizudera Temple in Kyotoーyou'll forget all about your aching muscles.
⑤ Temple #27 ・ Daienji Temple (大淵寺)
Climb a mountain path, or hop on over along the hiking course from temple #26 (Enyuuji), and you'll find Daienji Temple's panoramic view of the city of Chichibu, and the 16.5 meter Hakui Kannon statue. This Kannon statue is sometimes nicknamed the "Gokoku Kannon" (護国観音), essentially the "national defense Kannon," because it's holding a sword instead of a lotus flower!
⑥ Temple #28 ・ Hashidatedo Temple (橋立堂)
On the western edge of Chichibu's iconic Mount Buko, built below a giant rock wall towering 75 meters overhead, Hashidatedo Temple is said to be home to the "horse Kannon," and many people visit the temple to pray for safety on the road. After taking in the view of the overwhelming rock wall, you can relax and take a break from your busy pilgrimage with a surprising cup of coffee at the neighboring Jurin's Geo Cafe.
Enjoy the Beauty of Chichibu and the Peaceful Pilgrimage
Of the six temples we've recommended today, many have been hidden in beautiful natural enclaves at the end of rugged paths and mountain trails. But the fantastic feeling of finally arriving at these gorgeous destinations, finding yourself both exhausted and spiritually refreshed, is like nothing else. Give it a try next time you're in Saitama!
Details
NAME:Chichibu, Saitama
PROFILE
Follow us @Japankuru on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
COMMENT
FEATURED MEDIA
VIEW MORESee Kyoto Clearly With Your New Glasses #japankuru #kyoto #jins #교토여행 #진즈 #京都 #교토수족관 #가모가와 #kamogawa #kyotoaquarium
A Very Special Trip on the Ferry Sunflower #japankuru #ferrysunflower #hokkaidotrip #japanexperience #japantrip #girlstrip #oarai #tomakomai #北海道 #北海道旅行 #茨城 #홋가이도 #일본선박여행 #토마코마이 #이바라키 #북해도 #페리여행 #여행에미치다 #여자끼리 #日本渡輪 #sunflower號 #坐船旅行 #日本女子旅 #日本體驗
Japanese Makeup Shopping • A Trip to Kamakura & Enoshima With Canmake’s Cool-Toned Summer Makeup #pr #canmake #enoshima #enoden #에노시마 #캔메이크 #japanesemakeup #japanesecosmetics
⚔️The Robot Restaurant is gone, but the Samurai Restaurant is here to take its place. Check it out, and don't forget your coupon! 🍣신주쿠의 명소 로봇 레스토랑이 사무라이 레스토랑으로 부활! 절찬 쿠폰 발급중 💃18歲以上才能入場的歌舞秀,和你想的不一樣!拿好優惠券去看看~ #tokyo #shinjuku #samurairestaurant #robotrestaurant #tokyotrip #도쿄여행 #신주쿠 #사무라이레스토랑 #이색체험 #할인이벤트 #歌舞伎町 #東京景點 #武士餐廳 #日本表演 #日本文化體驗 #japankuru #japantrip #japantravel #japanlovers #japan_of_insta
Japanese appliance & electronics shopping with our KOJIMA x BicCamera coupon! 用JAPANKURU的KOJIMA x BicCamera優惠券買這些正好❤️ 코지마 x 빅 카메라 쿠폰으로 일본 가전 제품 쇼핑하기 #pr #japankuru #japanshopping #kojima #biccamera #japaneseskincare #yaman #dji #osmopocket3 #skincaredevice #日本購物 #美容儀 #相機 #雅萌 #日本家電 #일본여행 #면세 #여행꿀팁 #일본쇼핑리스트 #쿠폰 #일본쇼핑 #일본브랜드 #할인 #코지마 #빅카메라 #japankurucoupon
Odaiba's DiverCity Tokyo Plaza is home to the famous real-size 20m-tall Unicorn Gundam, and the popular shopping center has even more Gundam on the inside! Check out the Gundam Base Tokyo on the 7th floor for shelves upon shelves of Gunpla, and the Gundam Base Tokyo Annex on the 2nd floor for cool anime merchandise. Both shops have tons of limited-edition items! #pr #odaiba #tokyo #tokyotrip #japantrip #japantravel #PR #divercity #divercitytokyoplaza #tokyoshopping #gundam #unicorngundam #gundambasetokyo #anime #otaku #gunpla #japankuru #오다이바 #다이바시티도쿄 #오다이바건담 #건담 #일본건담 #건프라 #건담베이스도쿄