Hidden Kyoto Nature: 7 Lucky Gods & Matcha

Just one stop by train from Kyoto Station lies a world apart—a sanctuary of rich nature and profound silence, completely cut off from the city's bustle. This is the Sennyu-ji area, a hidden gem where beautiful forests and historic temples exist in perfect harmony.

The theme of this tour is "Your First Pilgrimage to the Seven Lucky Gods." It is an introductory journey inviting you into the world of the Seven Lucky Gods, a tradition that deeply reflects the spirituality of Japanese culture. While a typical Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage involves traveling to temples scattered across a wide area and taking a full day, the Sennyu-ji area is a rare location where all the deities are enshrined within close proximity in the mountains.

A local English-speaking guide will accompany you on this tour. They will carefully explain the unique characteristics of each of the Seven Lucky Gods and the stories woven into them. By understanding the meanings and backgrounds of the deities—details often overlooked when visiting alone—the scenery before your eyes will transform, becoming more vivid and profound. Enjoy a fulfilling experience walking through history and savoring these stories, without any language barriers.

Listen to the sounds of the forest, stand face-to-face with majestic Buddha statues, and conclude your journey by savoring matcha in a tranquil garden. This is a luxurious opportunity to align your mind and body. Enjoy a moment in Kyoto that belongs only to you, undisturbed by the crowds.

Important Note
This tour involves walking along temple approaches surrounded by nature. As there are unpaved areas and slopes, please participate with an active mindset, akin to enjoying a light hike. We strongly recommend wearing sneakers or comfortable walking shoes and clothes suitable for a forest stroll.

The "Seven Lucky Gods" (Shichifukujin) are seven deities worshipped in Japan since ancient times as bringers of good fortune. Their unique characteristic is that they share roots in different countries and religions—India (Hinduism), China (Buddhism/Taoism), and Japan (Shinto)—yet coexist peacefully. This diversity symbolizes the Japanese spirit of harmony and tolerance.

While typical Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimages often involve rushing across long distances like a "stamp rally," this tour takes place within the condensed sanctuary of the "Senzan Seven Lucky Gods." This allows us to avoid the burden of travel and instead take the time to deeply unravel the origins and stories of each deity with your guide’s commentary. Leveraging the unique advantage of this location—where you can worship smoothly while walking through rich nature—we will immerse ourselves in the legends of the gods and Buddha statues.

Furthermore, we have scheduled ample time at each stop, ensuring you have the opportunity to receive a Goshuin (calligraphic temple seal) at every temple. Please enjoy this journey of walking through nature, touching upon divine stories, and collecting these beautiful proofs of your pilgrimage.

◎English-speaking local guide
◎Admission fees for temples
◎Matcha tea at Unryu-in
×Transportation costs
×Goshuin (Calligraphic temple seals)
×Goshuin-cho (Stamp book)

09:00 Sennyu-ji Somon Gate (Main Gate)

09:05 Sokujo-in

09:20 Hoon-in

09:35 Kaiko-ji

10:00 Imakumano Kannon-ji

10:30 Raigo-in

11:00 Hiden-in

11:30 Unryu-in

12:30 Tour Ends

・Your reservation will be confirmed once you receive a reply from Sharing Kyoto.
・Please book at least 2 day in advance.
・Participants must be 18 or older. Minors need parental consent, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
・The tour includes walking on uneven paths, slopes, and steps.　Please wear comfortable shoes.
・The experience may be modified or postponed due to traffic or other unforeseen conditions.
・Survey responses or reviews may be shared on our website or social media.

・Free of charge for cancellations up to 3 days prior to the tour date, 100% for cancellations 2 days or less prior to the tour date.
・Special Cases (Natural disaster, virus, etc.): Full refund.
・Transaction fees for refunds in the event of cancellation will be borne by the customer.
・Please contact us if you will be more than 5 minutes late. If you are late without notice, we may have to treat your booking as a cancellation. Please be aware of this policy.