Takasaki Daruma Byakue Kannon and Gourmet Course

Takasaki is Gunmas largest city and a transport hub served by the Shinkansen. Known as a center for producing lucky daruma dolls, it is watched over from a hilltop by the towering Byakue Kannon statue. This one-day route lets you enjoy the charm of daruma, the great Kannon, and gourmet unique to Takasaki.

Course Route

9:30 Start at Takasaki Station Set off from Takasaki Station, a stop on the Shinkansen. First head toward the Shorinzan area by bus or car.

10:00 Visit Shorinzan Daruma Temple Go to Daruma Temple, said to be the birthplace of Takasaki daruma. The grounds are lined with countless offered dolls, an unusual and striking sight. Entry is free and you can walk the grounds at your leisure.

11:30 Look up at the Byakue Kannon Head to Takasakis symbol, the Byakue Kannon at Jigen-in. The statue stands 41.8 meters tall, and inside a stairway of 146 steps links nine levels. Climb to the top for a sweeping view of the town from the windows.

13:00 A gourmet lunch of Takasaki specialties Takasaki is also known as a pasta town. Enjoy lunch at a popular pasta shop or with Gunma home cooking. Hearty Takasaki pasta is a specialty long loved by locals.

14:30 Shopping around Takasaki Station Browse the station building and shopping streets for souvenirs, starting with daruma. The wide variety of dolls is a joy just to look at.

16:00 Wrap up the trip at Takasaki Station Finish by choosing Gunma specialties at the station to end the day.

Highlights

The Byakue Kannon is Takasakis defining sight, standing 41.8 meters tall and watching over the town from its hilltop. Climb the 146 interior steps through nine levels for a full view of the townscape. Shorinzan Daruma Temple is a distinctive space filled with offered dolls, a place to touch the culture of lucky charms. Takasaki gourmet, pasta above all, is another pleasure of the trip.

Access and Tips

Takasaki Station is a convenient hub where the Shinkansen and local lines meet. Reaching the Kannon and Daruma Temple is mainly by bus or car. The citys sights are spread out, so a taxi or rental car is handy for getting around efficiently.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: Half a day for the Daruma Temple and the Byakue Kannon, or a full day once you add food and shopping.
• Getting there: From the Tokyo direction, take the JR Joetsu or Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takasaki Station. The Byakue Kannon is usually reached by bus from the west exit of Takasaki Station, followed by a short climb up the hill. Shorinzan Daruma Temple is a walk from Gunma-Yawata Station on the JR Shinetsu Main Line, or an easy bus or taxi ride from Takasaki Station.
• Inside the Kannon: The interior has 146 steps across nine levels. The stairs continue for a while, so wear comfortable shoes; the top windows look out over the city.
• Avoiding crowds: The Shorinzan Nanakusa Grand Festival (daruma market) held in January each year is extremely busy. If you want a quiet visit, avoid that period.
• Budget: Visiting the Daruma Temple is free. Even with the Kannon interior, a meal and a daruma purchase, budget around a few thousand yen per person. Daruma range from palm-sized to large, so choosing one as a memento is part of the fun.

A Quick Tip

Daruma come in many sizes and colors, so picking your own as a travel memento is a fun idea. If you climb inside the Byakue Kannon, the 146 steps continue for a while, so comfortable shoes make the visit more pleasant.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Viewing hours (Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon and Jigen-in Temple): The interior of the statue can be visited from 9:00 to 17:00 (until 16:30 from November to February). There are no closing days
• Fees (Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon and Jigen-in Temple): Admission to the interior of the statue is 300 yen for adults and high school students and above, and 100 yen for children of junior high school age and below
• Parking (Kannonyama): There is space for 242 cars, and the car park at the summit of Kannonyama is currently open free of charge (for an undecided period)
• Reception hours (Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple): The temple office and amulet counter are open 9:00-17:00, and the Daruma Hall is also open 9:00-17:00. Reception for prayers is 9:00-16:00, the shop "Darudaru" is open 10:00-16:00, and reception for the daruma painting experience is 10:00-15:40
• Goshuin / amulet counter (Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple): Goshuin seals are handled at the temple office and amulet counter, from 9:00 to 17:00
• Parking (Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple): There is a free car park for worshippers (the Takasaki City tourist guide gives a capacity of about 50 cars)
• Enquiries: 027-322-2269 (Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon Jigen-in Temple), 027-322-8800 (Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple)
• Official information: Official website of Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple of the Obaku school, and the Takasaki City official website tourism site (Takasaki Byakue Dai-Kannon / Shorinzan Daruma-ji Temple)

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local authority. Hours and fees are subject to change, so please check the official information before you set out.