What lets you step into the normally off-limits sacred grove behind the main shrine is the Ebisu no Mori Special Worship Visit.
There are only 3 more chances left. Tomorrow, 6/1, is one of them! It will also be the final Sunday date.
【Tomorrow’s weather】 will be cloudy, then sunny🌤. It should clear up right around noon. The high will be 26℃, so it’ll be fairly warm〜. （As of 5/31 22:00）
- Date/time: June 1 (Sun) 12:00〜15:00（reception is at the shrine office to the right of the main shrine）
- First offering fee: 1,000 yen（includes a purification charm + white sand）
- Time required: Reception → formal worship → walk through the grove, about 30 minutes
- Clothing tip: Inside the grove, there are dirt paths and wooden decks. Sneakers are the safest choice〜
No worries even if there’s a line! How it works from reception to worship
- At the shrine office to the right of the main shrine, just write your name and address on the application form〜
- Wait indoors until you’re called（great for preventing heatstroke◎）
- Receive purification during the formal worship → Head into the grove!
- Greet Ebisu-sama → Take as much white sand as you like!
Sprinkle it at home, or if you live in an apartment, place it on a small dish by the entrance〜.
“Ebisu no Mori is a shrine grove with over 1,000 years of history. Although it was damaged in the Nishinomiya Air Raid of 1945, it was restored through replanting efforts and designated a Hyogo Prefectural Natural Monument. About 300 species of trees grow here, supporting a rich ecosystem.
The large camphor tree（ookusu）that can be seen during the special worship visit is 300〜400 years old. It still bears traces of the air raid.”
― From Nishinomiya Shrine’s official Instagram
No wonder. This tree is 300〜400 years old.
After your grove walk, here are 3 photogenic spots inside the shrine grounds!
Here’s what you can only see right now!
🏞The Japanese irises at the shrine pond are just at their peak! There are about 1,000 plants on the east side, and the purple-and-white gradation looks stunning〜
🌸The Satsuki Azalea Exhibition is also being held on the shrine grounds. And this day is the final day. I had no idea satsuki azaleas could be arranged like a miniature N-gauge model scene〜.
⛩Past the grove is Hyakudayu Shrine, dedicated to the deity of performing arts. A must-visit for performers?
Ebisu no Mori Special Worship Visit: Remaining Dates
- June 1 (Sun) ← Tomorrow!
- June 10 (Tue) ★Held on the same day as Tokaichi!
- June 20 (Fri)
The time is 12:00〜15:00 for all dates. If you’re not a fan of crowds, the weekday sessions are your best bet.
You can actually touch Ebessan〜〜〜. You’ll get to experience it for the first time.
Final Thoughts
Since it’s “white sand × the power of the great camphor tree × limited-time only” and it’s on a Sunday, this seems like perfect timing. For a first offering fee of 1,000 yen, you even receive a charm〜. Definitely go and experience the power of the grove for yourself〜.
