Japanese Daruma Doll: Meaning, Colors, Traditions & Where to Buy [2025]

9 April 2025

They’re arguably one of the most recognisable symbols of Japanese culture and are packed with meaning. We’re talking, of course, about the beautifully captivating and enigmatic Japanese daruma doll. But what exactly are they, and why are they so valued? Let’s dig in!

What is a Daruma doll?

Daruma dolls are traditional Japanese figurines, typically made of paper-mâché. The dolls are round and have no arms or legs and feature a wide-eyed, bearded face with a focused expression.

Nowadays, you can find Daruma dolls in all colours, each of them corresponding to a particular area of life, but the most common are red (which is associated with good luck, wealth, and prosperity in East Asian nations), black, white, and gold. They are often given as gifts or used in meditation and are a popular symbol of good luck and success in Japanese culture.

Here is a list of different Daruma colours and their most common meanings:

Red: Best of luck and good fortune.
White: Purity and balance.
Golden: Money and glory.
Black: Protection against evil spirits.
Green: Health and physical condition.
Orange : Academic success or prosperity.
Blue: Career success.
Purple : Personal development or health.
Pink : Love & Romance.

Filled with symbolism

If you look closely, you’ll notice that they have both eyes coloured in white. The owner of the doll will colour in one eye while setting an intention or making a wish and the other when the wish or goal has been fulfilled. This tradition of making wishes and promises on daruma comes from Zen Buddhism, which emphasises the importance of meditation.

It is often thought that having both eyes coloured in means that your eyes are now open to the truth of the universe, as happened to Bodhidharma when he reached enlightenment. The other meaning is that he fell asleep seven years into his meditation and was so embarrassed that he cut off his eyelids to avoid it happening again.

The real meaning of daruma

Daruma’s round body is designed to be tipped over but spring back up again, symbolising resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.

It is important to note that you can only have one Daruma at a time. Once you have painted your doll’s second eye, you can buy another one and make a new wish. The advantage of this rule is that it forces you to focus on one goal at a time. You can devote all your time and energy to the accomplishment of a given task and thus, put all the chances on your side to succeed.

There’s a popular idiom that’s often tied to the daruma: nanakorobi yaoki, which loosely translates to “fall down seven times, stand up eight”. This speaks to the doll’s true meaning of self-perseverance, focus, discipline and staying on the path – rather than about granting wishes.

After a year, the tradition is that the Daruma is brought back to the temple where it was bought to be burned, whether you achieved your goal or not. It is believed that the power of the Daruma doll will fade after one year.

If you have reached your goal, then this is an opportunity to move on. If, on the other hand, you failed to achieve your goal, burning it does not mean that you give up, but that you will seek for another way to achieve your goal (or start over with a new Daruma).

How are daruma made?

The wonderful truth about daruma dolls is that almost all of them are made in the Japanese city of Takasai in Gunma prefecture, which has been the case for more than three centuries. Back in the 17th century, they were made by farmers in this area and blessed by passing monks.

The dolls are traditionally hollow and made from papier mache using Japanese washi paper. A pre-made wooden mould is dipped into liquid papier mache and the air inside is sucked out using a pump. This ensures that every daruma comes out perfectly identical. In the past, this was all done by hand, and even though there is help from machinery in today’s time, the process is still very careful and technical.

Where to buy daruma dolls?

Buying a daruma doll in Tokyo isn’t just shopping — it’s a full-on cultural experience. Whether you want a tiny good luck charm or a big, bold daruma to set serious goals with, here are the best spots in Tokyo to find one that speaks to you:

Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)

Why go? It’s Tokyo’s oldest temple and an iconic destination. There are souvenir shops along Nakamise Street and just outside the temple that sell all kinds of daruma dolls, from classic red to pastel modern ones.

Bonus: You can get a little spiritual energy while you shop.

Tokyu Hands & Loft (Multiple Locations)

Why go? These lifestyle stores are amazing for quirky, well-made Japanese goods — and yes, that includes daruma dolls.

Tokyu Hands → Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro
Loft → Shibuya, Ginza, Ikebukuro

Vibe: Modern, colorful, stylish. Perfect if you want a cuter or artsy version.

Kanda Myojin Shrine (Near Akihabara)

Why go? Kanda Myojin is the go-to shrine for tech workers, creatives, and entrepreneurs — and yep, they sell lucky charms and daruma too.

Pro tip: Great if you’re manifesting business success, academic wins, or career growth.

Ameyoko Shopping Street (Ueno)

Why go? It’s wild, energetic, and full of traditional street shops that often sell daruma dolls, good luck charms, and Japanese crafts at good prices.

Vibe: Real Tokyo street market feels. Fun to explore and super budget-friendly.

Design-focused Shops (MoMA Design Store, 21_21 Design Sight)

If you’re into stylish, minimalist, or artist-collab versions of daruma, check out:

MoMA Design Store (Omotesando)
21_21 Design Sight gift shop (Roppongi)

Bonus: Where to Buy Online

If you’re not near Tokyo or want it shipped:

Rakuten Japan
Amazon Japan
Setamono online shop
Etsy Japan sellers for hand-painted/custom ones

Best Daruma Spots in Tokyo:

Place	Best For
Senso-ji (Asakusa)	Classic vibes + spiritual setting
Tokyu Hands / Loft	Trendy, modern daruma
Kanda Myojin Shrine	Goal-setting, business luck
Ameyoko Market	Budget-friendly finds
MoMA / 21_21 Shops	Artsy, gift-worthy designs