Iizumi Kannon Daruma Fair

The Daruma Market occurs annually on December 17th and 18th at Shōfuku-ji Temple in Iizumi, Odawara. The temple precincts come alive with booths offering daruma dolls, infusing the surroundings with vibrant energy. This event symbolises the year's end and embodies heartfelt hopes for good health, family unity, and a prosperous New Year.

Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese talismans modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. Typically made of papier-mâché, they are hollow, round, and weighted at the bottom so they always return to an upright position — symbolising resilience and perseverance.

A key feature of Daruma dolls is their blank eyes. When making a wish or setting a goal, people colour in one eye, and once the goal is achieved, they fill in the other eye. This practice has made Daruma dolls a popular gift for motivation, business success, exams, or personal milestones.