Daruma Ichi

Lot's of Daruma.





Lot's of friends.

And Lot's of good fortune.

Jindaiji Daruma Ichi

The Daruma Ichi (the Daruma Market) is held annually at Jindaiji on March 3 and 4. This is one the three largest Daruma Ichi in the Kanto region.





Vendors from around Japan gather at this event to sell Daruma for good fortune. As you can see that the Daruma comes in many sizes.



You may or may not know about the Daruma. One eye is drawn in at purchase. At that time, you make your wish or attaining your goal. It could be health, prosperity or whatever else.

Once your goal or wish has been attained. The other eye is drawn in.

Jindaiji Soba

We attended Jindaiji's annual Daruma-ichi. The other "must do" on our plans was to have Jindaiji Soba. Jindaiji Soba is hand rolled and cut. What makes this soba special is that is made from buckwheat harvested from the region which is mixed with local spring water. Our soba was a thicker cut. The soba was fairly firm with a little texture. Many times, soba is either really soft or stiff. Jindaiji soba seems to be a perfect middle ground.

The broth was perfect. It's the classic dashi but not overly flavored to complement the star of the dish, the soba.

Since it was cold (for us from Hawaii), most of us had the hot soba.

I had the nameko sansai soba. The soba had nameko (a type of mushroom), with sansai (preserved mountain vegetables, fern shoots)and a raw quail egg. The combination was marvelous. I really enjoyed my lunch that day.



Can you see the sound of silence. Well maybe you can hear the slurping.

Day 5: Daruma Ichi

On March 3, we went to the Daruma Ichi (Daruma Market) at Jindaiji Temple. Jindaiji Temple is located in Chofu about half hour via train from Shinjuku station. Jindaiji is one of the oldest temples in Tokyo.

The Daruma Ichi is an annual event held on March 3 and 4.

There are many vendors that sell Daruma at the festival. There are hundred of thousands of people that purchase the Daruma for good luck. We braved the crowds to purchase our Daruma.

You can fill in the eye yourself. Or you can have one of the priests draw the eye in and bless the Daruma.