Starting the New Year Right: Shichifukujin-meguri

Shichifukujin-meguri" or "visiting the Seven Gods of Fortune" is a tradition dating back to the Edo period. Visitors make their way through seven temples or shrines, each dedicated to one of the Seven Gods of Fortune, sometime between January 1st and 15th. This two-week period is known as "Matsu no Uchi" or "Pine Period", during which the New Year's decorations are on display and gods are said to visit peoples' homes. Thus, visitors will be blessed by the Seven Gods of Fortune if they complete a visit to each shrine or temple during this auspicious timeframe.

The Seven Gods of Fortune are: Ebisu (Protector of Crops), Daikokuten (God of Commerce and Prosperity), Bishamonten (God of War), Benzaiten (Goddess of Music), Fukurokuju (God of Luck, Virtue and Longevity), Jurojin (God of Health, Longevity and Happiness) and Hotei (God of Fortune, Popularity and Fertility).

Within Koto City, Tokyo, there are two different courses you can take to visit the Seven Gods of Fortune:

1) The Fukagawa Course takes you through 3 shrines and 4 temples located around Morishita, Kiyosumi-shirakawa and Monzen-nakacho Stations. It takes about 2 hours to complete. If you partake in Shichifukujin-meguri between January 1st and 15th, you will be able to receive a special signing paper and use it to collect a scarlet seal of blessing from each location (the signing paper requires a ceremonial fee of 1000 yen, and the seals can be received for 100 yen each). Additionally, lucky bamboo branches and bells of good fortune (believed to dispel evil) will be available for purchase. With many historic sites and famous temples en route to the seven stops, as well as trendy cafes and unique local stores to visit, the trip is guaranteed to be full of extra delights as well!

2) The Kameido Course will take you through 3 shrines and 3 temples located around Kameido and Kameido-suijin Stations in about 1.5 hours. For this course, you can receive a special signing paper with illustrations of the Seven Gods of Fortune and a scarlet seal of blessing at each location between January 1st and 7th (the seal at Tokakuji Temple is available until the 3rd, the one at Jokoji Temple until the 15th and the one at Ryugenji Temple is available at any time). The paper requires a ceremonial fee of 400 yen; while for the seals, you can choose between handwritten (300 yen each) or stamped (200 yen each). Around the area are some great vantage points for gazing up at the Tokyo Skytree, as well as myriad shops praised for their traditional Tokyo cuisine like gyoza and grilled offal. It's a perfect neighbourhood for strolling around!

So why not start your new year off right? The Seven Gods of Fortune in Koto City are waiting for you!