The Kaimon Shinji Lucky Man Race was held at 6:00 this morning.
Toka Ebisu, the biggest festival in the Hanshin area.
We went to Nishinomiya Shrine, where Toka Ebisu is being held!
Let the Nishitsu report begin♪
Here’s the location.↓
It’s about a 5-minute walk from Hanshin Nishinomiya Station.
Arrived at Hanshin Nishinomiya Station at 9:48 AM!
The area around Hanshin Nishinomiya Station was already packed with food stalls!
The smell of castella and corn,
plus the wonderful aroma of meat…
And the road had been turned into a pedestrian zone.
And then!
This electronic sign from the Hyogo Police!!
“We pray that the god of good fortune
will descend upon everyone visiting the shrine.”
Now, let’s pass through Akamon Gate and keep going!
When I went to the chozuya purification basin to cleanse myself,
the area around it was crowded.
And this area is where you’ll find:
- General information
- Prayer information
- Fortunes
- Amulet office
- Fukuzasa lucky bamboo branches
Now, on to the main shrine!!
Once you pass through here…
You reach the place to worship.
After praying at the main shrine, the area near the exit
where Fukuzasa and fortunes were being sold was extremely crowded.
And then…
also tried the tai-mikuji sea bream fortune!!
The result was…??
Ta-da!!
Great blessing!!
That thought had me feeling excited and totally upbeat inside.
After worshipping at the main shrine,
I looked up.
The weather wasn’t great,
but somehow the scene felt soothing.
When you visit a shrine,
it feels like both your heart and body are being purified.
And then we found a haunted house!
As we got closer to the South Gate exit,
there was a line at just one stall!
Nishinomiya Ebisu’s famous Ebisu Manju.
This Ebisu Manju is a sake manju
made by Kobe Ashiya Sohonke Hachikudo.
Whenever Miyatama sees a line, she gets curious,
and before she knows it, she’s standing in it.
We ate Ebisu Manju with the Nishitsu members and made a prayer!
The filling is smooth red bean paste.
It’s packed full of smooth anko.
It’s incredibly moist
and not overly sweet.
The South Gate exit came into view.
Here’s the map of the Toka Ebisu shrine grounds.↓
Tomorrow is Nokori-fuku, the “remaining luck” day!!
The god of good fortune will descend on tomorrow’s Nokori-fuku too!
And tomorrow,
at Nishinomiya Shrine Hall,
Ningyo Shibai Ebisuza will perform
Toka Ebisu entertainment.
Be sure to experience this traditional culture of Nishinomiya♪
The Ningyo Shibai Ebisuza website is here.
Also, traffic restrictions are in place around Nishinomiya Shrine!
If you’re visiting the shrine, please use trains or buses.
It will be crowded,
so please be mindful and follow good manners.
Even a small message like this, showing consideration for everyone,
makes you feel happy and warm inside.