Worship and Pilgrimage - 秩父札所 -CHICHIBU FUDASHO-

How to Pray

Bow before the temple gate and enter the grounds.
Purify yourself by washing your hands and rinse your mouth with water.
Proceed to the main hall, offer incense and make a monetary offering, join your hands in gasshō prayer, and then chant the sutras.
To avoid disturbing other pilgrims, stand to one side of the principal image.
Afterward, at the Nokyo office, pay the fee and receive a Nokyo red seal in your stamp book, hanging scroll, or (white pilgrim vest).
When leaving the temple, turn back toward the principal image, face it, and bow before exiting the gate.

Nokyo Fees

Nokyo red seals are given as proof of your visit to a temple and should be received after worshipping. A small fee is required, so having some change ready is recommended.

	Temple Seal / Stamp	Stamps on the same page (From the second pilgrimage onward)
Nokyo	￥500	￥200
Hanging scroll	￥500	￥200
White pilgrim vest (oizuru)	￥500	￥200

●The image of Kannon Bodisattva　￥200（white paper）　￥300（dark blue paper）

Nokyo Office Hours

・March 1 - October 31 8:00 - 17:00
・November 1 - end of February 8:00 - 16:00

※Lunch break 12:00-12:30-minute break from 12:00 (throughout the year)

Pilgrimage Supplies

In ancient times, pilgrims traditionally wore white clothing. Their attire included an (white pilgrim vest), hand guards (Tekko), shin guards (Kyahan), white Tabi socks, and a Wagesa (a ring-shaped kesa). They also carried a vajra cane and wore sugegasa straw hats.
Even today, many pilgrims continue to wear this traditional attire. However, the Chichibu Fudasho pilgrimage aims to connect many people with Kannon, and visitors are welcome to visit the temples in their everyday clothing.

Pilgrimage supplies are available at temples throughout the route, with a particularly wide selection offered at Temple No. 1, Shibabuji Temple, and Temple No. 13, Jigenji Temple.

Pilgrimage Goods

The picture illustrates the traditional pilgrimage outfit; however, it is not necessary to have every item. You may wish to carry only a Nokyo stamp book and wear casual clothing. However, if you carry a cane or wear an (white pilgrim vest), local people will recognize you as a pilgrim and welcome you warmly.