The Japanese daruma doll is said to bring spiritual awakening, and Jindaiji Temple in Chofu is known as one of Japan’s ‘Three Largest Daruma Cities’, with its annual Daruma Market boasting over 300 stalls.
When you buy a daruma at the festival, know that the eyes of this round, hollow-headed talisman are left blank when you first buy it. Usually, you paint in one of the pupils after making a wish, and the other if your wish comes true. But for this special ocassion, a monk will be stationed at the temple's Ganzandaishi Hall to paint on the left eye of your daruma with an ancient Sanskrit character when you make your wish.
This Daruma market, one of Japan's three largest, is open for just two days on March 3 and 4. Both days feature the oneri gyoretsu (from 1.45pm), a procession of portable shrines supported by the temple monks, who be outfitted in elegant ceremonial robes.
Jindaiji in Tokyo's Chofu ward is the second-oldest temple in Tokyo. The temple and its surrounding area are famed for soba noodles, 'GeGeGe no Kitaro'-themed tea house, national treasure-designated Buddha statue, and of course, the said annual market for lucky daruma dolls, which has been going on since Edo times.