Daruma Temple

Daruma Temple

TEMPLE

Daruma Temple is a small temple on the west coast of Izu and features the largest Daruma statue in Japan. Daruma was the founder of Zen Buddhism and is said to have been born in India around 1,500 years ago. It was also said that he lived for 150 years! Darumas are usually small objects with eyes missing. When you make a wish you fill in one eye and the other eye is kept blank until your wish comes true.

Usually daruma are red in colour, however at this temple the five colours represent the main Buddhist elements, sky, fire, wind, water and earth.

If you wish to purchase a daruma for yourself, the colours actually have a meaning.

Red: Used for all wishes although mostly used for big wishes.
Yellow: Used for all wishes involving good luck.
Blue: Used for exam success and academic achievement.
Black: Used as protection from evil spirits.
White: Used to pray for romance and good luck.

After visiting the main hall you can also pray in the gift shop with another daruma statue. To pray correctly you:
– Go through the ring.
– Rub part of the statue (ideally any part you wish to be healed).
– Ring the small bell while praying.
– Exit from the left without going through the ring.

There is a free car park available.

Review

Daruma temple is one of the most unique temples I’ve seen in Japan, let alone Izu. Most of the time, the temples are pretty much the same (from an outsiders perspective) so it’s very refreshing to see a temple which shows you another part of the religion. It is very small so if the darumas themselves aren’t interesting then give this temple a miss.

When you arrive you will be ushered to the entrance. Make sure to enter through the gateway and not the doors at the car park as this is actually the exit. Head to the small shack, pay the entrance fee and collect your incense. The volunteer will take you to a statue where you fill the ladle with water and pour it on the statue’s head. They will probably give a small speech but don’t worry about them expecting you to understand. This is just part of their job and they don’t seriously expect you to.

When you enter the building the volunteer will explain that they have a scroll of Daruma himself, all “drawn” using handwritten letters. Again, they will probably explain more but it’s mostly about the origins of the tapestries inside. Make sure to pray using your incense and take your time admiring the many darumas, especially the largest daruma statue in Japan! Incense has a very strong smell so for anyone with asthma may struggle with their breathing in this room. You don’t need to light the incense if you don’t think your asthma can cope.

Head through the door to the left and you’ll arrive in the gift shop. It’s that small a place that you’re already there! The volunteers will most likely follow you around, which is a little uncomfortable. Feel free to buy a daruma for yourself and also pray at the statue. They also have a selection of photos of famous celebrities who have visited the temple, for example Ken Watanabe (a famous actor). The shop has a strange variety of goods so make sure to take your time here and see if you want to buy any souvenirs to bring home!

ADDRESS

Daruma Temple,
463-1 Koshimoda,
Izu City,
Shizuoka Prefecture,
410-3304

+81558990731 (Japanese only)
http://kanko.city.izu.shizuoka.jp.e.jj.hp.transer.com/form1.html?c1=5&pid=2532 (Google Translated English available)

RECOMMENDED ROUTE:

Daruma temple is easiest to get to by car as public transport on the West side of Izu can be quite sporadic. If you’re travelling by public transport then take the train from Mishima to Shuzenji on the Izu Hakone Tetsudo Line. Switch to the bus bound for Matsuzaki (松崎).