Daruma-ichi (Fair) 初不動(だるま市)

Note: The 2023 installment of this event has already taken place.

Takahata Fudoson Kongoji Temple is one of the Kanto area's three main temples for the Buddhist deity Fudo Myo-o. At the temple's first daruma fair of the year on Monday, January 28, 150 shops from around the Kanto region gather to sell daruma dolls. These round, traditional heads are used to make wishes; draw one eye on the doll when you make your wish, and the second when it is granted. The temple grounds, crowded with enthusiastic shopkeepers and some 50,000 visitors and devotees, are quite the sight!