Takasaki produces roughly 80% of all daruma dolls made in Japan, a craft tradition dating back over 200 years to a local temple priest who taught the technique to farmers as a winter income source. The round, hollow, red-and-white papier-mâché figures — purchased with blank eyes to set a wish or goal, with one eye painted in upon purchase and the second added once the goal is achieved — are produced at dozens of workshops around the city, some open for hands-on painting experiences, and each January the city hosts one of Japan’s largest daruma markets at Shorinzan Darumaji temple.
🗓️ At a Glance
| Location | Takasaki, Gunma |
| Hours | Workshops typically 10:00–16:00; market early January |
| Admission | Free to browse; workshop experiences around ¥1,500–3,000 |
| Time needed | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Best time | Early January (Daruma Market); year-round for workshops |
What to See
- Dozens of daruma-making workshops around the city.
- Hands-on painting experiences for visitors.
- One of Japan’s largest Daruma Markets each January.
- Shorinzan Darumaji temple, the spiritual home of the craft.
Combine Your Visit
- Combine with Tomioka Silk Mill sightseeing.
- Pair with Maebashi City sightseeing.
- Read our Gunma overview .
Getting There
- By train: JR Takasaki Station, then bus or taxi to Shorinzan Darumaji or specific workshops.
- By car: roughly 1.5 hours from central Tokyo.
Tips
The January Daruma Market draws enormous crowds and can be very cold — dress warmly and expect long queues near the temple. Painting workshops let you customise your own daruma’s face, a distinctive and personal souvenir compared to buying a pre-made one.
