Last Updated on 2026年1月23日 by saitama-j

For the New Year of 2026, we took a Seven Lucky Gods tour in Yono in the city. We started from Yono-Honmachi Station at 11:35, headed south, and arrived at the first stop, Suzutani Daido, at 11:45, where Bishamonten is enshrined in the back. Here, we purchased the Seven Lucky Gods tour booklet (1000 yen).

From Suzuya Daido, we headed towards the Saitama Arts Theater and arrived at Enpukuji Temple, dedicated to Hotei, at 12:04.

Next, we head to Yono Park and pay our respects to Jurōjin at the Tenso Shrine within the park. We arrive at 12:20, and since it’s inside the park, there’s a line here. On January 3rd, there’s also a Seven Lucky Gods costume parade, and although we couldn’t catch it, we could hear the sounds of the parade.

On the north side of Yono Park, there is the Ontake Shrine of Benzaiten, which we reached at 12:33. This is a place I visited before when touring the ancient burial mounds in Saitama City, and a branch of Mount Ontake is enshrined at the top of the mound. This had the longest line of the day!

Arrived at Enjo-in on the east side of the park at 12:51. Daikokuten is enshrined there, but the large stone statue of an elephant is more eye-catching.

Beyond this point, it’s a bit further away. I walked north along the main street and arrived at Ichiyama Shrine at 13:03. It is known as a shrine where fire-walking takes place on the winter solstice. The snow from the previous day was melting and hanging from the shrine’s trees like rain. Ebisu, the god of luck, is supposed to be here, but… I couldn’t really tell.

The last Hikawa Shrine was reached at 13:17 on the east side of Aeon Yono. In the back of the main hall, a long-headed Fukurokuju was seated. It was quite crowded here as well, but I managed to get the stamp and successfully completed the full set.

It took about two hours. This Yono Seven Lucky Gods tour is only held during the first three days of the New Year, but if you haven’t experienced it yet, be sure to try it next year!