Scenes from Today’s Toka Ebisu at Nishinomiya Shrine with Entry Restrictions

Around 10 a.m. on January 9, Aocchi from Nishitsu went to Toka Ebisu at Nishinomiya Shrine! By the way, the 9th is called Yoi Ebisu, the 10th is Hon Ebisu, and the 11th is Nokori Fuku.
(The opening photo was provided by Chi-mama. Thank you!)

I’m sure many of you are planning to go, so please use this as a reference.

Right around 10 a.m.↓

At this point, there were no entry restrictions.

But

As of 11 a.m.↓

It looks like entry restrictions had been put in place. It felt way more crowded than before the COVID period.

As of 11:30 a.m., it looked like you had to start lining up from around 谷矢製餡（たにやせいあん）, the kintsuba shop.

Around 3 p.m.↓

First of all, it apparently takes about 30 minutes just to get through the gate.

So,

Inside Nishinomiya Shrine (10 a.m. edition)

Now, let’s head into the shrine grounds.

This was around 10:03 a.m., when I said earlier that it was still relatively open, but this is what it looked like.

There were food stalls, but worshippers seemed to be heading straight toward the main shrine.

Security staff were guiding people in front of the main shrine. It took about 20 minutes to get here from the Akamon Gate.

Inside the main shrine area felt a little more open. Maybe about 30 minutes until you can pray.

The tuna that brings money your way! As a COVID precaution, it’s enclosed in an acrylic case.

When you think of Toka Ebisu, you think of lucky bamboo branches. These will be available until the end of February.

They’re also selling amazake.

The quiz maze has all kinds of questions inside, kind of like riddles. Apparently couldn’t figure them out at all, so give it a try!

The classic haunted house. The girl in the front. From the back, you can tell she’s hesitating like, “I kind of want to go in, but what should I do?”

十日えびすの交通規制の内容。あと、みなさんいつ行きますか～？

2023年1月8日

That’s what Toka Ebisu looked like around 10 a.m. on the 9th!

Nishinomiya Shrine (3 p.m. edition)

At 3 p.m., heads out!

This was around 3:50 p.m.

It was packed, and from the time you got in line, it took at least 30 minutes to reach the Omote Daimon Gate.

Inside the shrine grounds looked like this. In places where the path widened, there was a little more room.

There was quite a line for Ebisu manju.

Just like at 10 a.m., the haunted house seemed pretty uncrowded.

Inside, there are things like yokai and umbrella-like characters, and it looks really fun.

Finally

The lottery for the Fukuotoko will also be held tonight ahead of tomorrow’s Gate Opening Ceremony. Nishitsu plans to share what happens around 8 p.m. If you subscribe to the Nishinomiya Tsushin TV channel, you’ll be able to see the latest updates!

Here’s the current live camera at Nishinomiya Shrine↓

Have a wonderful visit!!