Imamiya Ebisu Toka Ebisu 2027
Around a million people pack Osaka's Imamiya Ebisu Shrine over January 9-11 to pray to 'Ebessan', the god of business prosperity - collecting a lucky fukuzasa bamboo branch from kimono-clad 'fuku-musume' maidens to the chant 'come with your bamboo for a thriving business'.
When · Where
- When
- 2027/01/09 09:00 – 2027/01/11
- Where
- Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Naniwa Ward, Osaka（1-6-10 Ebisu-nishi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka 556-0003）
- City
- Osaka
- Getting there
- The shrine sits right beside Imamiya-ebisu Station on the Nankai Koya Line (about 30 m). It is also ~5 minutes on foot from Ebisucho Station (Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line / Hankai tram), ~7-8 minutes from Daikokucho (Midosuji Line), and ~10 minutes from JR Shin-Imamiya. Expect very heavy crowds and station queues across the 9th-11th; a roof-replacement project at the shrine has also removed on-site parking, so come by train.
- Price
- Free
- Organizer
- Imamiya Ebisu Shrine (今宮戎神社)
Good to know for visitors
- Getting there
- The shrine sits right beside Imamiya-ebisu Station on the Nankai Koya Line (about 30 m). It is also ~5 minutes on foot from Ebisucho Station (Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line / Hankai tram), ~7-8 minutes from Daikokucho (Midosuji Line), and ~10 minutes from JR Shin-Imamiya. Expect very heavy crowds and station queues across the 9th-11th; a roof-replacement project at the shrine has also removed on-site parking, so come by train. Open directions in Google Maps ↗
- Booking & entry
- Free to attend — details on the official page (button above).
- Language
- Mostly in Japanese — a translation app on your phone helps.
- Good for
- culture seekers, groups of friends
Highlights
- Around a million worshippers over the three days - the 9th is Yoi-ebisu, the 10th Hon-ebisu (the main day), and the 11th Nokori-fuku ('remaining luck') - making it one of western Japan's biggest New-Year draws
- The famous 'fuku-musume': about 45 young women (aged 18-23) are chosen each year from some 3,000 applicants and, in bright kimono and gold headdresses, hand out the lucky fukuzasa bamboo
- The rhythmic chant 'Shobai hanjo de sasa motte koi' ('come with your bamboo for a thriving business') fills the shrine as visitors have gold coins, sea bream and rice bales tied to their bamboo
Background & story
Tradition says the shrine was founded in the 600s, when Prince Shotoku built nearby Shitennoji Temple and enshrined a guardian deity to its west; Ebisu is revered as the god of fishing, good harvests and - above all - business prosperity. The Toka Ebisu festival took its present form in the Genroku era (1688-1704) and remains the shrine's most important rite, drawing merchants and shopkeepers from across the Kansai region every January.
Good to know
The 10th (Hon-ebisu) is the busiest; if you want a slightly calmer visit, come on the morning of the 9th or on the 11th (Nokori-fuku). Fukuzasa are handed out from early morning until around 1 a.m., so an evening visit is possible - just brace for dense crowds and follow the station's entry controls.