“What exactly is the popular Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage in Onomichi City, Hiroshima?”
“What kind of blessings can I receive? I want to know the secrets to boosting my luck!”
If you are planning to visit Onomichi, you might be asking yourself these very questions.
The Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage is a popular power spot tour where you visit seven historic temples scattered throughout Onomichi City, allowing you to receive seven distinct blessings. By understanding the deep history and unique charm of each temple and keeping the right practices in mind during your visits, you can draw in good fortune much more effectively.
In this article, we will clearly explain the foundational history and appeal of the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage, and introduce five specific points to help you maximize your luck along the way.
If you are currently planning a sightseeing trip or a pilgrimage in Onomichi, please read this article to the end to make your journey of blessings as fulfilling as possible!
- What is the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage? History and Charms to Know
- 7 Temples to Visit and Their Blessings on the Pilgrimage
- 5 Points to Boost Your Luck on the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage
- Time Required and Access Tips for the Pilgrimage
- Conclusion: Boost Your Luck While Experiencing History on the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage
- A Message from the Guide
What is the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage? History and Charms to Know
The Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage is a special experience unique to Onomichi, where you can simultaneously enjoy atmospheric scenery and profoundly historical temples. First, we will explain the historical background and the captivating charms that draw so many visitors.
History and Origins of the Pilgrimage
Onomichi has prospered since ancient times as a crucial hub for maritime shipping, and many magnificent temples were built through the donations of wealthy merchants. Among these, visiting the seven temples with the longest history and highest prestige is known as the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage. Many historical buildings constructed between the Heian and Muromachi periods still remain, passing down the deep faith and rich culture of the ancient people to the present day. The Buddhas enshrined in each temple possess different powers, and it is believed that you can gain comprehensive blessings by visiting them in sequence.
Unique Charms of the Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage
A major appeal of the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage is that you can complete your journey while enjoying the beautiful views of the Seto Inland Sea and the intricate townscape built on slopes. Walking along the narrow alleys and stone steps connecting the temples is a healing experience in itself, taking you away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Furthermore, since you can encounter uniquely expressive statues and stunning gardens at each temple, you can enjoy your stroll without ever getting bored.
The Joy of Collecting Special Shikishi, Goshuin, and Amulets
Collecting items as proof of your visits is one of the greatest joys of the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage. Purchasing a dedicated paper board called a “Shikishi” for the pilgrimage and gathering red ink stamps from each temple gives you a thrilling sense of accomplishment, much like a stamp rally. Additionally, the special amulets and Japanese paper stamps offered at each location are highly popular and serve as precious mementos of your trip.
7 Temples to Visit and Their Blessings on the Pilgrimage
From here, we will introduce the seven specific temples you will visit during the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage, along with the special blessings each one offers.
Jikoji Temple: Prayer for Longevity
Jikoji is a majestic temple that welcomes visitors with a magnificent granite stone gate. Here, you can receive blessings for a long, healthy life. The temple is also famous for offering a hands-on experience where you can make your own Buddha statue by molding clay with your hands, allowing you to create a one-of-a-kind lucky charm.
Tenneiji Temple: Recovery from Illness
Tenneiji Temple, known for its beautiful three-story pagoda that serves as a symbol of Onomichi, gathers faith from those praying for recovery from illness. The five hundred wooden Arhat statues lined up inside the hall are a breathtaking sight, and simply observing their rich expressions will cleanse your mind. This is the perfect temple for those who wish to remove physical and mental ailments and lead a healthy life.
Senkoji Temple: Good Luck and Warding Off Evil
Senkoji Temple, a representative tourist attraction in Onomichi, is located at a high elevation and offers a spectacular view of the Onomichi Channel from its grounds. It is believed to have the power to ward off all disasters and open up new paths to good fortune. The temple is a mystical power spot filled with numerous highlights, such as massive rock formations and the legendary Tama no Iwa.
Taisanji Temple: Academic Success
Taisanji enshrines a Buddha that grants academic achievement and wisdom, making it a beloved destination for students and exam candidates praying for academic success. People from all over the country visit here to turn their daily efforts into tangible results for qualification exams or career advancement tests. The quiet and serene grounds provide the perfect environment for focusing one’s mind.
Saikokuji Temple: Healthy Legs and Lower Body
A giant pair of straw sandals hangs at the main gate of Saikokuji, instantly showing that this temple protects the health of the legs and lower body. It offers blessings for strong legs and is deeply revered by athletes and elderly individuals who wish to walk vigorously on their own feet forever. The expansive grounds are dotted with important cultural properties, making it highly rewarding to explore.
Jodoji Temple: Prayer for Victory
Jodoji is an esteemed temple with a history of being visited by the famous samurai Takauji Ashikaga to pray for victory in battle. Therefore, it is said to grant blessings for winning in all kinds of competitions, including sports matches and business endeavors. The beautiful Muromachi-era architecture, including the main hall and the two-story pagoda designated as National Treasures, is an absolute must-see.
Kairyuji Temple: Improvement in Arts and Skills
Kairyuji is closely associated with traditional performing arts such as Bunraku and Ningyo Joruri puppet theater. The temple grants blessings for the improvement of all skills, including music, dance, and professional career advancement. It is a sacred place that provides great inspiration for people aspiring to master the arts.
5 Points to Boost Your Luck on the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage
Simply visiting the temples is wonderful, but incorporating a few thoughtful practices can help you attract even stronger luck. Here, we explain five points to boost your luck during the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage.
Point 1: Observe Proper Worship Manners
When visiting sacred temples, observing proper manners is the first step toward good fortune. Bow before the temple gate, and purify your hands and mouth at the water pavilion before heading to the main hall. By putting your hands together with a quiet mind and expressing your gratitude, you can receive the Buddha’s blessings much more firmly.
Point 2: Follow an Efficient and Less Tiring Route
Onomichi has a terrain with many steep slopes and stairs. Exhausting yourself will make it hard to focus on your prayers, so choosing an efficient route is vital. Planning in advance to move without backtracking, such as starting from Jodoji in the east and walking systematically toward Jikoji in the west, is a great trick to keep your energy high and attract good luck.
Point 3: Complete the “Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage Bracelet”
On the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage, you can collect power stone beads offered at each temple to create your very own bracelet. A completed bracelet featuring beads from all seven temples becomes a powerful amulet packed with all the distinct blessings. Wearing this bracelet daily will help you maintain a high level of luck long after your trip.
Point 4: Stop by Hidden Power Spots at Each Temple
In addition to praying at the main halls, turn your attention to the hidden power spots quietly existing within the temple grounds. Sacred trees that are hundreds of years old, massive stones that have gathered faith since ancient times, and small shrines are filled with strong natural energy. Taking your time to stroll through the grounds and taking deep breaths in these positive spaces will lead to better fortune.
Point 5: Enjoy Onomichi’s Unique Scenery and City Strolls
Instead of rushing through the pilgrimage like an obligation, having the mental space to enjoy the overall atmosphere of the town of Onomichi will heighten your luck. Refresh your mind and body by taking a break at a traditional house cafe along the way or taking photos of the ocean visible from the narrow alleys. Touring with a joyful and relaxed heart attracts highly positive energy.
Time Required and Access Tips for the Pilgrimage
To ensure a fulfilling pilgrimage, it is essential to understand the travel time and transportation options. Finally, we will explain the estimated time required and give you some access tips.
Estimated Time and Model Course for Walking
Because the seven temples of the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage are clustered in a relatively close area, it is entirely possible to visit all of them on foot. When walking, the estimated time required is about half a day to a full day, including time for resting and praying. A highly recommended, relaxed model course involves starting at the eastern temples in the morning, progressing westward while enjoying the scenery, and completing the pilgrimage by evening.
How to Get Around Using Buses and Taxis
If you are anxious about walking up slopes and stairs continuously, or if you want to save time, make good use of public transportation. You can save a significant amount of physical energy and time by taking local buses from Onomichi Station to get closer to the more distant temples, or by using the ropeway to ascend to Senkoji Temple. If you are visiting with a group, chartering a sightseeing taxi for an efficient tour is also a very comfortable and recommended method.
Conclusion: Boost Your Luck While Experiencing History on the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage
The Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage is a truly special experience that allows you to purify your mind and body and boost your luck while enjoying the good old history of Japan and the scenic views of a historic port town. By understanding the different blessings residing in each temple and being mindful of proper manners and efficient routes, you can maximize the positive effects of your journey. Please be sure to include the Onomichi Seven Buddhas Pilgrimage in your next travel itinerary to gain wonderful blessings and a deeply healing experience.
A Message from the Guide
Visiting all of them in one day might be a bit rushed, but make sure to have fun along the way by enjoying delicious Onomichi ramen and some beer.
Comment