Asakusa's Seven Deities of Fortune: Visit Them All for Good Luck!

The Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa! Or Are They Nine?

The Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese Mythology

Everybody ought to have some wishes he or she would like to be granted – health, love, business or money, and probably many others. But did you know that in Japan there are a lot of gods who would be glad to fulfill your wishes? The most famous among them is the Seven Gods of Fortune, or the Seven Lucky Gods.

The term “Seven Lucky Gods” apply to seven deities named Daikokuten, Ebisu, Bishamonten, Fukurokuju, Hotei, Jurojin, and Benzaiten.

Each of them has his or her own different field of “wish-fulfilling work”, and is in charge of a particular type of wishes. Unfortunately, there aren’t many shrines where all of them are enshrined, and usually, only one god is a deity of a particular Shinto shrine or temple. That is why you have to go to seven different shrines and temples if you want to pay a visit to these seven deities of fortune.

Still, it is believed that he or she who visits all seven shrines and temples where these gods dwell in the right order, will be bestowed with great fortune! This trip is often called the Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage.

Nine Deities Are Gathered in Asakusa!

You can undertake a pilgrimage even here, in Asakusa, where these seven deities are affectionately called the Famous Seven Lucky Gods' Dwellings of Asakusa by the loving locals. However, since Fukurokuju and Jurojin have each two shrines, if you devote yourself to visiting every of the Lucky Gods’ shrines and temples, you will have to make rounds to nine different locations.

Introducing the Famous Seven Lucky Gods’ Dwellings in Asakusa

Now, let us introduce these famous places in Asakusa where the Seven Lucky Gods dwell. We will present the name of the shrine (or the temple) together with the name of its enshrined deity.

Sensoji Temple (Daikokuten)

Daikokuten takes care of people’s wealth, the abundance of crops, and such. He is usually presented standing on top of two bags of rice, and the place where he resides is the well-known Sensoji Temple.

Sensoji Temple
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Asakusa 2-3-1
Phone Number: 03-3842-0181
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station (various lines)
Access: 5 minute walk from Asakusa Station of Tobu Railway Isesaki Line, Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tsukuba Express or Toei Subway
Website: Sensoji Temple (Japanese)

Sensoji Temple

2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito ward, Tokyo

Sensoji Temple is a temple with a history of over 1300 years. The Kaminarimon Gate with its red lantern has become the symbol of Sensoji Tem...

Asakusa Shrine (Ebisu)

Ebisu reigns over the fields of medicine, sake brewing, fishing, and the prosperity of business. He is the only deity that originated in Japan and is enshrined in Asakusa Jinja (Asakusa Shrine).

Asakusa Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Asakusa 2-3-1
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station (various lines)
Access: 7 minute walk from Asakusa Station of Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Subway Asakusa Line, Tobu Railway Asakusa Line, 10 minute walk from Asakusa Station on Tsukuba Express
Phone Number: 03-3844-1575
Website: Asakusa Shrine (Sanja-sama)

Matsuchiyama Shoden (Bishamonten)

When in need of wealth and courage, ask Bishamonten for help. This deity is originally from India, but in Asakusa he is enshrined in Matsuchiyama Shoden.

Matsuchiyamashoden
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Asakusa 7-4-1
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station (various lines)
Access: 7 minute walk from Asakusa Station (same for each line)
Phone Number: 03-3874-2030
Website: Matsuchiyama Shoden

Imado Shrine (Fukurokuju)

The deity of Imado Shrine is one of the Seven Lucky Gods – Fukurokuju. He is a god that brings longevity to people, as well as peace and prosperity to families. It is said that this deity is originally from Chinese Taoism.

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Imado Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Imado 1-5-22
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station (various lines)
Access: 15 minute walk from Asakusa Station (same for each line)
Phone Number: 03-3872-2703
Website: Imado Shrine (Japanese)

Hashibafudosan (Hoteison)

Hotei is the god of the Buddhist temple Hashibafudoson. He was introduced from China and is in charge of teaching people endurance (perseverance), and affection. He also takes care of peace and harmony in one’s home.

Hashibafudosan
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Hashiba 2-14-19
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station of various lines; Kiyokawa 2 by Toei bus
Access: 7 minute walk from Asakusa Station (same for each line); get on Toei bus Kiyokawa Higashi 42 Otsu, bound for Minami Senju, get off at Kiyokawa 1, walk for 500 meters
Phone Number: 03-3872-5532
Website: Hashibafudoin

Ishihama Shrine (Jurojin)

Jurojin is enshrined in Ishihama Shrine, and since he is a god of perpetual youth and longevity, he takes care of people’s health and safety. Some believe that this deity is, in fact, the father of Chinese Confucianism, Laozi, appearing in another form.

Ishihama Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Arakawa, Minami Senju 3-28-58
Nearest Station: Minami-Senju Station of Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Access: 15 minute walk from Minami-Senju Station
Phone Number: 03-3801-6425
Website: Ishihama Jinja (Ishihama Shrine) (Japanese)

Ootori Shrine (Jurojin)

Another shrine where you can pray to Jurojin in Asakusa is Ootori Jinja, or Ootori Shrine. By the way, don’t get confused if you find another version of Jurojin’s name – sometimes it’s written with the character for “god” (寿老神), and sometimes using the character for “person” (寿老人) – the pronunciation, as well as the deity himself, is the same.

Ootori Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Chito 3-18-7
Nearest Station: Iriya Station (Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line), Tawaramachi Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line) or JR Uguisudani Station
Access: 7 minute walk from Iriya Station, 15 minute walk from Tawaramachi Station, 20 minute walk from JR Uguisudani Station
Phone Number: 03-3876-1515
Website: Ootori Shrine

Yoshiwara Shrine (Benzaiten)

Benzaiten is the goddess of the art and intelligence. Among the Seven Lucky Gods, she is the only female deity, so there is a popular belief that she also brings fortune regarding love and perpetuation of one’s descendants. She is the goddess of Yoshiwara Shrine.

Yoshiwara Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Chito 3-20-2
Nearest Station: Minowa Station and Iriya Station of Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, Toei Bus Yoshiwaraomon stop
Access: 15 minute walk from Minowa Station or Iriya Station, 5 minute walk from Toei bus Yoshiwaraomon stop
Phone Number: 03-3872-5966

Yasaki-Inari Shrine (Fukurokuju)

Fukurokuju dwells in one more shrine in Asakusa – Yasaki-Inari Shrine.

Yasaki-Inari Shrine
Address: Tokyo, Taito, Matsugaya 2-14-1
Nearest Station: Inaricho Station and Tawaramachi Station of Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Asakusa Station (various lines), Toei Bus Kikuyabashi stop
Access: 7-minute walk from Inaricho Station or Tawaramachi Station, 10-minute walk from Asakusa Station, 3-minute walk from Toei Bus Kikuyabashi stop

Let’s Pay a Visit to the Seven Lucky Gods of Asakusa!

What do you think? It is indeed interesting that each of the Seven Lucky Gods has his (or her) own distinctive personality, don’t you agree?

You can pay a visit to the one god you found to be most appealing (or you just feel the need to “ask a few questions”), or you can even embark on a pilgrimage and visit all 9 of the Famous Seven Lucky Gods’ Dwellings in Asakusa. Either way is fine – just don’t lose this opportunity to get your wishes fulfilled at one of these fascinating places!

You may have to bring out your wallet, but at each of the shrines and temples you can get yourself many exciting things, such as the special stamp, called goshuin, or a small ema (a wooden plaque at Shinto shrines to write your wish on it), with a deity portrayed on it. It really gives a sense of achievement to collect stamps from all 9 places.

If by chance, this article did inspire you to visit these nine shrines and temples in Asakusa, it might take you about four hours to achieve your goal, but don’t give up! This very Japanese practice, the Seven Lucky Gods Pilgrimage, ought to give you an unforgettable experience during your stay in Japan.