Every year, I visit a different Shichifukujin, or Seven Lucky Gods, pilgrimage as part of my New Year tradition.
There are many places in Tokyo and Kanagawa where you can enjoy a Shichifukujin pilgrimage. Each area has its own route, shrines, temples, and local atmosphere.
In 2026, I decided to try the Minato Shichifukujin, a Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage in Minato City, Tokyo.
The route took me through some of central Tokyo’s best-known neighborhoods, including Roppongi and Azabu-Juban. Along the way, I also stopped for a traditional Japanese treat, walked near Tokyo Tower, and eventually returned to Roppongi.
It took me about three hours in total, making it a great way to start the New Year while getting some exercise.
What Is Shichifukujin?
Shichifukujin means the “Seven Lucky Gods” in Japanese.
The seven gods are:
- Ebisu – prosperity and success in business
- Daikokuten – wealth and good fortune
- Bishamonten – protection and victory
- Benzaiten – music, art, wisdom, and good fortune
- Fukurokuju – happiness, wealth, and longevity
- Jurōjin – longevity and good health
- Hotei – happiness, contentment, and good relationships
Visiting these gods at the beginning of the year is a popular Japanese tradition. People visit the shrines and temples where they are enshrined and pray for good fortune, health, and happiness in the coming year.
Shichifukujin Pilgrimages in Tokyo and Kanagawa
Shichifukujin pilgrimages can be found throughout Japan.
There are also many different routes in Tokyo and Kanagawa, each with its own history and character.
For example, Tokyo has several well-known routes, including Minato Shichifukujin, Yanaka Shichifukujin, and Asakusa Meisho Shichifukujin.
Kanagawa also has several Shichifukujin routes, including ones in Yokohama and Kamakura.
One of the things I enjoy about this tradition is that you can choose a different area every year.
Rather than simply visiting shrines and temples, walking between them gives you a chance to discover local streets, shops, restaurants, and everyday life.
My 2026 Minato Shichifukujin Pilgrimage
This year, I chose Minato Shichifukujin in central Tokyo.
The Minato Shichifukujin route is slightly different from a typical Seven Lucky Gods pilgrimage.
In addition to the seven shrines and temples associated with the Seven Lucky Gods, the route includes Juban Inari Shrine, which enshrines a treasure boat carrying the Seven Lucky Gods.
This means that the complete route includes eight locations.
The eight locations are:
| Stop | Shrine / Temple | Lucky God |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenso Shrine | Fukurokuju |
| 2 | Sakurada Shrine | Jurōjin |
| 3 | Azabu Hikawa Shrine | Bishamonten |
| 4 | Daihoji Temple | Daikokuten |
| 5 | Juban Inari Shrine | Treasure Boat |
| 6 | Iikura Kumano Shrine | Ebisu |
| 7 | Kyūkoku Shrine | Hotei |
| 8 | Hōjuin Temple | Benzaiten |
There is no fixed starting point for the Minato Shichifukujin pilgrimage, so you can choose where to begin.
For my walk, I decided to start at Tenso Shrine, near Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi.
Starting at Tenso Shrine Near Tokyo Midtown
My Minato Shichifukujin pilgrimage began at Tenso Shrine.
The shrine is located in Roppongi, close to Tokyo Midtown.
Roppongi is known for its modern buildings, shopping, restaurants, and nightlife, so it is interesting to find a traditional Japanese shrine in the middle of such a modern part of Tokyo.
After paying my respects at the shrine, I started walking toward the next stop.
This was the beginning of my three-hour walk through central Tokyo.
Walking from Roppongi to Azabu
From Tenso Shrine, I continued toward Sakurada Shrine and then Azabu Hikawa Shrine.
One of the best things about a Shichifukujin pilgrimage is that you don’t simply go from one tourist attraction to another.
You walk through the neighborhoods in between.
As I walked from Roppongi toward Azabu, the atmosphere gradually changed. The modern cityscape of Roppongi gave way to quieter streets and residential areas.
This made the pilgrimage feel more like a Tokyo neighborhood walk than a traditional sightseeing tour.
A Taiyaki Break at Naniwaya Sohonten in Azabu-Juban
One of the highlights of my walk was a stop in Azabu-Juban.
I decided to take a short break at Naniwaya Sohonten, a famous long-established taiyaki shop.
Taiyaki is a popular Japanese snack shaped like a fish and usually filled with sweet red bean paste.
Naniwaya Sohonten was founded in 1909 and is one of Tokyo’s best-known traditional taiyaki shops.
After walking for a while, I bought a taiyaki and enjoyed it as a little break from the pilgrimage.
A freshly made taiyaki was especially satisfying in the middle of a long winter walk.
I think this is one of the fun things about doing a Shichifukujin pilgrimage on foot. You can combine visiting shrines and temples with discovering the local food and shops along the way.
If you visit Azabu-Juban, stopping for a taiyaki at Naniwaya Sohonten is definitely worth considering.
Walking Past Tokyo Tower
The Minato Shichifukujin route also takes you near Tokyo Tower.
Tokyo Tower is one of Tokyo’s most recognizable landmarks, so seeing it during the pilgrimage was another memorable part of the walk.
What I liked about this route was the contrast between the old and new sides of Tokyo.
On one hand, I was visiting historic shrines and temples and taking part in a traditional New Year custom.
On the other hand, I was walking past modern buildings and one of Tokyo’s most famous landmarks.
This combination makes the Minato Shichifukujin pilgrimage feel particularly unique.
Visiting the Remaining Seven Lucky Gods
After leaving Azabu-Juban, I continued the pilgrimage.
The route took me to Iikura Kumano Shrine, where I visited Ebisu, followed by Kyūkoku Shrine, where Hotei is enshrined.
I then continued toward Hōjuin Temple, the final stop of my pilgrimage, where I paid my respects to Benzaiten.
Visiting each location one by one made the journey feel like a small adventure through central Tokyo.
By the time I reached the final stop, I had walked through several different neighborhoods and experienced a very different side of Tokyo from the usual tourist attractions.
Finishing Back in Roppongi
After completing the route, I eventually made my way back toward Roppongi, close to where I had started.
It felt good to return to the familiar streets after walking through so much of central Tokyo.
Starting in Roppongi, passing through Azabu-Juban, walking near Tokyo Tower, and eventually returning to Roppongi made the pilgrimage feel almost like a large walking loop through the heart of Tokyo.
Three Hours of Walking in Central Tokyo
The entire pilgrimage took me about three hours.
Since I stopped at each shrine and temple, took breaks, and enjoyed a taiyaki along the way, this was much more than simply walking from one point to another.
It was also surprisingly good exercise.
I visited in January, in the middle of winter, so it was cold when I started.
But after walking around central Tokyo for about three hours, my body gradually warmed up.
By the end, I was feeling quite warm despite the cold winter weather.
For me, this is another appeal of a Shichifukujin pilgrimage.
You can start the New Year by praying for good luck and health, while also getting some exercise and exploring Tokyo on foot.
Why I Recommend the Minato Shichifukujin Pilgrimage
My 2026 Minato Shichifukujin pilgrimage was a great way to start the year.
The route combines traditional Japanese culture with the modern city of Tokyo.
I enjoyed visiting the shrines and temples, walking through Roppongi and Azabu-Juban, having a taiyaki break, and seeing Tokyo Tower along the way.
I especially liked the fact that I could experience both historic Tokyo and modern Tokyo in a single walk.
Since I visit a different Shichifukujin route every year, I am always curious to see what each area has to offer.
If you are visiting Tokyo during the New Year season and want to experience something beyond the usual tourist attractions, I recommend considering a Minato Shichifukujin pilgrimage.
Put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes, take your time, and enjoy discovering Tokyo one shrine and temple at a time.
It is a great way to experience a traditional Japanese New Year custom while exploring the city on foot.
