A big sign is posted just outside the ticket gates at Hankyu Shukugawa Station.↓
“Toka Ebisu,” the biggest festival in the Hanshin area.
| Date | Festival | |
|---|---|---|
| Yoi Ebisu | January 9 (Wed.) | Arima Onsen Hot Spring Offering Ceremony Time: 2:00 p.m.– Place: Worship Hall Kinsen hot spring water from Arima Onsen is offered. Prayers are made for the prosperity of Arima Onsen’s ryokan district. |
| Hon Ebisu | January 10 (Thu.) | Toka Ebisu Grand Festival Time: 4:00 a.m.– Place: Main Shrine From 12:00 a.m., the shrine gates are closed and the priests cut off contact with the outside. From 4:00 a.m., the Toka Ebisu Grand Festival is held in the pure darkness. 6:00 a.m.– Gates open |
| Gate-Opening Ritual and Fuku Otoko Selection Time: 6:00 a.m.– Place: From the Omote Daimon Gate (Akamon) to the Main Shrine Participants make a 230-meter “running visit” aiming to become the Ichiban Fuku. The 1st to 3rd finishers selected as Fuku Otoko are officially recognized as that year’s “Lucky Men.” They receive a sacred statue, prizes, and a special happi coat. | ||
| Nokori Fuku | January 11 (Fri.) | Nokori Fuku |
Here is the map of the grounds of Nishinomiya Shrine.↓
Here is the map for Nishinomiya Shrine, the head shrine of Ebisu.↓
For the three days of January 9 (Wed.), 10 (Thu.), and 11 (Fri.),
there will be traffic restrictions around Nishinomiya Shrine.
Also, parking is completely prohibited on the roads around Nishinomiya Shrine!
The lottery for placement in the January 10 Gate-Opening Ritual and Fuku Otoko Selection
will be held in front of the South Gate from 12:00 a.m. for the first 1,500 people!
Heavy crowds are expected
during the three days from January 9 to 11,
but it’s the start of 2019!
Let’s go pray to Ebessan for prosperity in business!
Official website → Nishinomiya Shrine, Head Shrine of Ebisu
