Daruma dolls are considered pretty auspicious, and Japanese people worship them a lot. Takasaki City is especially famous for Daruma since it accounts for about eighty percent of nationwide Daruma production.
A Takasaki Daruma doll characterizes its distinctive face by its eyebrows portraying cranes, and its shape from the nose to the mustache turtle.
Cranes and turtles are deemed very auspicious for their thousand- or tens-of-thousand-year longevity, and so are Takasaki Daruma dolls.
People brush in their Daruma doll’s right eye wishing for their desire to be achieved or their well-being throughout the New Year. They brush in the left eye in appreciation when their wish is accomplished.
Hatsu Ichi / Daruma Ichi – The First Daruma Doll Sale of the Year -
Daruma merchants sell Daruma dolls shortly after the New Year’s Day has come. They assemble in several spots in the prefecture and sell numerous Daruma dolls, small or big, to bring people good luck. There will be a big turnout at the markets.
Shorinzan Daruma Ichi
When :Jan. 6 (Tues) all night through 7 (wed)
Where :Shorinzan Daruma Temple
Access :A 20 min walk from JR Gunma Hachiman Stn, or a 25 min drive from Takasaki IC,
Kan-etsu Expswy (There will be temporary toll parking lots near the temple. Traffic, however, will be strictly restricted. Public transportation will be convenient.)
Inquiry :Shorinzan Daruma Temple Tel. 027-322-8800
Maebashi Hatsu Ichi Festival
| When: | Jan. 9 (Fri) |
|---|---|
| Where: | Down town area of Maebashi and on Rt 50 within Hon-machi |
| Access: | A 5 min walk from JR Maebashi Stn |
Isesaki Hatsu Ichi
| When: | Jan. 11 (Sun) |
|---|---|
| Where: | Honmachi-dori |
| Access: | A 15 min drive from Komagata IC, Kita Kanto Expswy or A 10 min walk from Isesaki Stn, JR Ryomo Line |
| Inquiry: | Isesaki Keizaibu, Bunka Kanko-ka Tel.0270-24-5111 |
| http://www.isesaki.ne.jp/kankoukyoukai/ | |
Kiryu Daruma Ichi
| When: | Jan. 18 (Sun) |
|---|---|
| Where: | Fumonji Temple |
| Access: | A 30 min drive from Isesaki IC, Kita Kanto Expswy |
| Inquiry: | Kiryu-shi Kanko Koryu-ka Tel. 0277-46-1111(Ext.366) |
| http://www.city.kiryu.gunma.jp | |
Tatebayashi Hatsu Ichi (Daruma Ichi)
| When: | Jan. 18 (Sun) |
|---|---|
| Where: | New Kagome Shotengai (shopping district) Nakamachi to Honmachi 1 chome |
| Access: | A 15 min drive from Tatebayashi IC, Tohoku Jidosha Expsway |
| Inquiry: | Tatebayashi Shoko Kaigisho (the Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Tel. 0276-74-5121 |
| http://www.tatebayashi-cci.or.jp | |
Akagi-machi Taru, Shibukawa
When :Jan. 5 – early June
Admission Fee :(On an eat–as-much-as-you-like-for-30-min basis)
During January :Elementary school students JPY1,300
Jr. high students or older JPY1,500
During Feb. 2nd and Apr. 10th :Elementary school students JPY1,100
Jr. high students or older JPY1,300
To go :JPY100 ～JPY160/100g
Access :A 15 min drive from Shibukawa Ikaho IC, Kan-etsu Expswy
Inquiry :Shibukawa-shi Kanko Kyokai Jimukyoku (in Kanko-ka)
〒 377-8501 80 Ishihara Shibukawa-shi Gunma TEL:0279-22-2111
Hirose Noen Farm
| When: | Jan. 19 - June |
|---|---|
| Admission Fee: | (On an eat–as-much-as-you-like-for-30-min basis) Kids under 4-yr-old : Free Elementary school students JPY500 Jr. high students or older JPY1000 |
| Access: | A 30 min drive from Takasaki IC, Kan-etsu Expswy |
| Inquiry: | Tel. 090-4062-3427 |
Komochi Kanko Ichigo En Farm (Run by eight farmers)
| When: | Jan. 19 – mid May |
|---|---|
| Admission Fee: | (On an eat–as-much-as-you-like-for-30-min basis) Jr. high students or older JPY1,500 (Until the end of Jan.) Elementary school students JPY1,300 Preschoolers over 2 yr-old JPY1000 |
| Access: | A 15 min drive from Shibukawa Ikaho IC, Kan-etsu Expswy |
| Inquiry: | Director Mr. Iizuka Tel. 0279-53-5519 |
