Chuzenji Temple “Meditation bead making experience”

Make your own one and only lucky charm bracelet for yourself

Chuzenji Temple was established by Shodo Shonin in Nikko-zan in 784. Enshrining Nikko’s oldest Buddha statue, which is six-meters tall and was carved in a standing Japanese judas tree, the temple is a prayer temple (where visitors pray to the Buddha). Juzu, or prayer beads on a string, is one of the ritual items that people use to count how many times they have read a sutra or recited Buddha’s name.

According to Siddhartha Gautama, praying to the Buddha repeatedly will remove earthly desires from people and make them happy. Those who visit to pay respect to the temple can join the prayer beads craft workshop. They can choose beads of their taste, made of natural stone and/or natural wood, with a wish in their minds to create a bracelet-shaped juzu. Their juzu becomes nenju when monks offer a prayer at the gomadan (fire ritual platform), and they can take it home as a wearable lucky charm.

Location Map

Basic Information

Address	2578 Chugushi, Nikko-city, Tochigi, Japan
Telephone Number	81-288-55-0013
Website	https://www.rinnoji.or.jp/en/spot/08.html
Business Hours	【Meditation bead making experience】 April to October : 9:00-15:00 November to March : 9:00-14:00 【Chuzenji Temple viewing hours】 April to October : 8:00-17:00 (last entrance 16:30) November and March : 8:00-16:00 (last entrance 15:30) December to February : 8:30-15:30 (last entrance 15:00)
Days Closed for Business	Open all year round. However, expierince of making a prayer at a temple may be changed or canceled due to events, memorial services, etc.
Price	【Meditation bead making experience】 From 2,000 yen ※Depends on the material 【Admission fee】 Adults: 500 yen Elementary and junior high school students: 200 yen ※Prices are as of August 2024.
DIRECTIONS	・40 minutes by bus (to Yumoto Onsen or Chuzenji Onsen) from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station, get off at "Chuzenji Onsen" and walk for 10 minutes ・30 minutes by car from JR Nikko Station or Tobu Nikko Station
Map Code	947 239 311*60

Nikko Area

The Nikko area, in the northwestern part of the prefecture, is particularly mountainous. In the midst of the rich nature, including the 2,486-meter-high volcano Mt. Nantai, Lake Chuzenji, and Kegon Falls, there are numerous shrines and temples that are registered as UNESCO Cultural Heritage sites. From Kinugawa Onsen to Kawaji Onsen, hot springs can also be found throughout the area. There are a wide range of outdoor activities to enjoy as well, such as stand-up paddleboarding in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.