Daruma: the Japanese lucky doll that makes dreams come true + competition

In every Japanese souvenir shop, temple fair and even office you will find them: round, bright red figures with intense eyes, a wild moustache and a serious look. Meet the Daruma, one of the most recognizable lucky charms of Japan. These small figures are more than just decoration; they symbolize perseverance, hope and making dreams come true.

Origin: A monk with a mission

The Daruma is based on Bodhidharma, an Indian Buddhist monk from the 6th century and the founder of Zen Buddhism. According to legend, he meditated so intensely for nine years that his arms and legs died. This explains why the doll has no limbs, a tribute to his determination.

It is spherical so that it rolls back when you push it over, which represents nana-korobi ya-oki “fall seven times, get up eight.” A beautiful symbol of resilience and never giving up.

Meaning and usage

What makes Daruma extra special is the ritual around coloring the eyes. A Daruma has two white eyes. You can color one eye if you have set yourself a goal, for example starting a business, getting a diploma, or personal growth. If you have achieved your goal, you can color the other eye. A nice stick behind the door, because every time you see your Daruma, you are reminded of your goal.

The classic Daruma is red, the color of protection against evil spirits. But there are also variations in other colors, each with their own meaning:

• Gold: success and wealth
• White: purity and new beginnings
• Black: against bad luck or to ward off negativity
• Pink: for love

This is a colorful way to give your goal extra power.

Where can you find Daruma in Japan?

If you're planning a trip to Japan, we've got some tips for finding a Daruma.

Takasaki in the Gunma province is the Daruma city of Japan. Here you will find countless handmade Daruma and there is even a Daruma temple the Shorinzan. Daruma-ji. In January there is an annual market at the temple where everyone buys a new one for the new year. The Daruma from the previous year are then burned, unless the second eye is still white of course.

Besides the Shorinzan Daruma-ji in Takasaki, there is also the Katsuō-ji in Osaka, where you stumble over the (usually) red lucky dolls. If you want to take a Daruma home as a souvenir, you can usually find them in the souvenir shops in tourist areas.

Win the Daruma you need

A Daruma is not a magic wand, but a beautiful reminder of your own perseverance. Whether you put one on your bedside table, on your desk or give it as a gift to someone who is doing something exciting, the message remains the same: don't give up. Feel like it? Buy your own Daruma here or... participate in the competition. Because the webshopRoppongi.nl is making a beautiful Daruma available and you can win it!

Fill in below which Daruma you need. Is that red for success at work, white for new beginnings and clarity, or pink for luck in love.

Competition conditions

• This competition runs until June 13, 2025
• everyone can participate in the competition
• how does it work? Fill in the form, receive the Happlify and Roppongi newsletter and you have a chance to win the prize package
• By participating you understand and agree that you will receive newsletters from Happlify and Roppongi receives. You therefore promise not to report spam, because you can unsubscribe from any newsletter whenever you want.
• 🚨 PLEASE NOTE : Spam reporters will be blacklisted and excluded from all Happlify competitions from now on
• After the closing date we will draw the winner and announce it. Keep an eye on Instagram for this
• The winner will also be contacted personally
• the winner then has 24 hours to claim his or her prize
• the prize consists of the above-mentioned product and cannot be exchanged for anything else or money
• comments are public and can be read and viewed by anyone
• This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Meta, Instagram and/or any other social media used in connection with this giveaway

The author: Ingrid Beyer

Ingrid from Happlify crew member Roppongi is a far too modest Japan expert who can tell you all the ins and outs. Roppongi is the webshop for lovers of Japan, design, good food, tea and DIY. Visit Roppongi and the blog regularly for the quickest trip to Japan. Ingrid's blog posts >