I made a pilgrimage to the Seven Deities of Good Fortune

On 4th of January, I made a pilgrimage to the Seven Deities of Good Fortune.
This habit has been began since Edo period. Pilgrims go to seven (or more) places (Incl. Shintoism shrine and Buddhism temples).

There are two religions mainly in Japan. One is Buddhism, another is Shinto.
Shinto have existed before Buddhism came from foreign. Shinto is polytheism.

Buddhism have no God, and Shinto is polytheism. But a part of both religions were mixed peacefully. Because both are tolerant religions.

Thus ancient people had idea like below.
"Japanese gods and goddesses are incarnation of Buddha."
For that reason, they accepted both religions naturally. This idea is also living among present Japanese people. I mean, it's natural thing that believing two religions as Japanese people.

The Seven Deities of Good Fortune is seven gods of good fortune in Japanese myth and folklore.
It is the set of Buddhsim, Japanese myth, Chinese Taoism and Hinduism.

Seven Gods are;

1. Hotei, the fat and happy god of abundance and good health
2. Jurojin, god of longevity
3. Fukurokuju, god of happiness, wealth and longevity
4. Bishamonten, god of warriors
5. Benzaiten, goddess of knowledge, art and beauty, especially music
6. Daikokuten, god of wealth, commerce and trade.
7. Ebisu, god of fishers or merchants.

(See also this web page)

1. Asakusa shrine (Shintoism) - Ebisu

This shrine's Sanja matsuri festival is the most famous.

2. Senso-ji temple (Buddhism) - Daikokuten

The oldest temple in Tokyo.

3. Yasaki shrine (Shintoism) - Fukurokuju

Many Samurai believed in him.

4. Otori shrine (Shintoism) - Jurojin

In every winter, this shrine hold Tori-no-ichi Festival.

5. Yoshiwara shrine (Shintoism) - Benzaiten

This shrine is enshrined near ex-licensed quarters (during Edo period), and this Goddess Benzaiten was believed among prostitutes (the licensed quarters doesn't exist now).

6. Ishihama shrine (Shintoism) - Jurojin

Good landscape, Sumida river flows near there.

7. Hashiba Fudo-in temple (Buddhism) - Hotei

The principal Buddhism image is Fudo Myo-oh

8. Imado shrine (Shintoism) - Fukurokuju

The most popular shrine among young girls as the God of marriage.

9. Matsuchiyama Shoden (Buddhism) - Bishamonten

The principal Buddhism image is Kangiten (also known as Hinduism Ganesha)

Goshuin of each shrines and temples

Though it's one of each temples' and shrines' sign, it have the same effect as ofuda (label).