A one-day pilgrimage tour commemorating the "Chichibu Fuda-sho Uma-doshi So-kaido" (秩父札所 午歳総開帳) — a ritual opening of sacred statues that takes place only once every 12 years — has been organized in partnership between Kinki Nippon Tourist and the Saitama Prefectural Products and Tourism Association. The tour is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2026, departing from Seibu Chichibu Station.
Background
The Chichibu sacred pilgrimage sites represent a valuable piece of Japan's cultural heritage, yet they face ongoing challenges: a shortage of successors to carry on traditions, difficulty conveying their cultural significance to visitors, and tourism patterns characterized by short stays and limited spending. With the rare Uma-doshi So-kaido creating a unique window of opportunity, a high-value tour experience has been developed that bridges pilgrimage culture and contemporary travel.
A New Kind of Pilgrimage Experience
The defining feature of this tour is the participation of ordained monks from the sacred sites as tour guides. Rather than simply recounting historical facts or ceremonial customs, the monks convey the deeper spiritual meaning of pilgrimage through the experience itself — riding the charter bus alongside participants and leading the group at each site.
This approach aims to:
- Create meaningful opportunities to share the significance and appeal of traditional events
- Establish new roles for temple monks as tourism guides, supporting the living transmission of cultural heritage
Tour Highlights
Once-in-12-years Uma-doshi So-kaido: During this special period, Kannon statues normally kept from public view are simultaneously revealed across all the sacred sites. The entire Chichibu region is said to become a powerful spiritual destination at this time.
Ordained monks as guides: Monks from the pilgrimage sites travel alongside participants on the charter bus, personally guiding the group through each location.
Exclusive original nokyo-cho: A special pilgrim's stamp book crafted with Chichibu Meisen — the region's traditional woven textile — is prepared exclusively for this tour and cannot be obtained elsewhere.
A journey through Chichibu's faith: The program begins at the founding site of the Chichibu Kannon pilgrimage and leads to a limestone cave, where participants can experience the connection between the region's geological features and its spiritual traditions, tracing the history of faith in Chichibu.
Tour Details
Tour name: Saitama Prefectural Products and Tourism Association Chichibu Fuda-sho Uma-doshi So-kaido Memorial Tour — Chichibu Pilgrimage with Young Monks
Date: Sunday, May 17, 2026 (one-day trip, no overnight stay)
Departure / Arrival: Seibu Chichibu Station
Participation fee: ¥17,500 per person
(Transportation to and from Seibu Chichibu Station is at each participant's expense)
Capacity: 45 participants
Application deadline: Thursday, May 7, 2026, by 4:00 PM
For reservations and full details: https://www.knt.co.jp/ec/2026/chichibu/index.html
