Every year, a “Fukuotoko Shinpo” newspaper is published for Nishinomiya Shrine’s Toka Ebisu gate-opening ritual, the “Fukuotoko Race,” and it looks like Myaku-Myaku will be making an appearance.
2026年版「福男新報」で使用するイラスト完成！今回も前年に話題になった人やニュースをモチーフにしています。あとは微調整して新聞も出来上がり、開門神事・福男選び前の西宮神社で配布します。一年に一度の〝あの朝〟まであと数日…全力でやり遂げる( ･`ω･´)☆ pic.twitter.com/OfxaWWdo2a
— 平尾 亮 (@leepippi) January 5, 2026
A huge Myaku-Myaku
The illustrations are based on people and news that made headlines the previous year, and last year’s standout face was Myaku-Myaku.
By the way, this is last year’s 2025 edition. The impact of “Nenai Ko Dareda”! There are so many favorites here, like Slime, Doraemon, and Goku. Sakura Momoko 😭
It was small at the time, but Myaku-Myaku was there too. And the person drawing all these cute characters is…
But on the morning of the event, he is the incredible person who instantly tightens the atmosphere inside the shrine grounds!
He is the head of the Kaimon Shinji Kosha, the group that runs the Fukuotoko Race, Mr. Ryo Hirao. He’s the person who shouts “Kaimoooon!” every year!
What’s more, he used to be on the runner side himself and has the experience of being named “Niban Fuku” two years in a row.
After an accident prompted him to move behind the scenes, he has continued to pursue the idea of “keeping it safe as a Shinto ritual,”
and has led efforts such as introducing a lottery system and building the current operating structure.
This is the Fukuotoko Shinpo that Mr. Hirao creates. This one is from last year, and this year it will be a big Myaku-Myaku version! If you’re heading to Toka Ebisu, be sure to check it out.
