On Friday, January 9, the first day of Toka Ebisu at Nishinomiya Shrine, the lines are absolutely massive.
(Info provided by Salad Udon @ Nishitsu SP)
There are an unbelievable number of people. This is a still from the official live stream, and the line is moving even slower than a crawl.
Around 6 p.m., Salad Udon, a Nishitsu supporter, went to visit the shrine, so here’s what it looked like. Hope it helps if you’re going tomorrow!
The Chuo Shopping Street was also packed with waves of people. Some were lining up at the food stalls too.
Food stalls in all kinds of colors and that nighttime festival atmosphere. It looks super lively and fun.
They even have kasujiru udon. Perfect in this cold weather!
Scallops are pretty unusual to see.
Dashi no Mise Tsumiki is there too.
This is what Ebessan-suji looks like. It’s basically turned into a pedestrian zone, so the roadway closer to the station is a little less crowded.
If you want to move quickly, take the roadway.
If you want to check out all the food stalls, stick to the sidewalk. There’s ikayaki, yakisoba, fries, and karaage.
Takoyaki and castella too.
The Route 43 side is closed off with police buses.
The crowd at Akamon is incredible.
Packed in tight.
It’s amazing inside too.
In the back, there’s baby castella from Sanpoya, a Nishinomiya favorite.
Is the Chinese media here too?
We also received photos from Manabu Taguchi, a Nishitsu reader who has been visiting tons of spots around Nishinomiya!
This illustration of the Seven Lucky Gods looking super close is adorable.
The star of this year! A horse with carrots. We’re running all the way this year! Shachomi was born in the Year of the Horse.
So incredibly dazzling!
Looks like the fun weather forecaster Katahira will be coming!
So many Kasumi crabs!
That watermelon!
Lots of 5-yen coins! The sea bream is loaded with cash bills.
Prosperity in business.
Fukuzasa lucky bamboo branches come in two sizes, large and small. They’re 1,500 yen and 3,000 yen.
Oh! Is this jaga butter?!
Hot and fluffy on a cold day. Thanks, Taguchi!
