Tōka Ebisu

Overview

The Toka Ebisu (Toka Ebisu Festival) held annually from January 9 to 11 at Nishinomiya Shrine in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, is the largest annual festival of this shrine, known as the head shrine of approximately 3,500 Ebisu shrines nationwide. Nishinomiya Shrine is affectionately called "Ebessan" and enshrines Ebisu Daijin (Kotoshironushi no Mikoto), the god of business prosperity and abundant fishing. This festival attracts over one million visitors over three days, making it a New Year event in the Kansai region comparable to Hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year).

The Toka Ebisu is divided into three days: January 9 is called "Yoibisu" (evening festival), January 10 is "Hon Ebisu" (main festival), and January 11 is "Nokorifuku" (remaining fortune). Each day has different opening hours for the shrine gates and omamori (charm) distribution offices. Yoibisu is generally open from 5:00 AM to midnight, Hon Ebisu from 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM the following day, and Nokorifuku from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM the following day (opening hours vary by year, so please check the official website). The "Kaimon Shinji Fukuotoko Senbi" (Gate-Opening Ceremony Lucky Man Selection) held in the early morning of the 10th is nationally broadcast and has become a fixed New Year tradition.

History and Origins

The history of Toka Ebisu at Nishinomiya Shrine is extremely ancient, with its existence already confirmed in historical records from the Kamakura period (1185-1333). This indicates that Ebisu worship was widely practiced among fishermen and farmers from the medieval period onward. It is believed that the festival was originally held as a prayer for abundant catches and bountiful harvests.

During the Edo period (1603-1868), as commercial cities such as Osaka, Sakai, and Kobe developed and the merchant class accumulated economic power, Ebisu worship expanded rapidly. Ebisu Daijin came to be worshipped by merchants as the "god of business prosperity," and many merchants began visiting Nishinomiya Shrine to pray for success at the beginning of the year. During this period, the current format of the festival was established, where lucky bamboo branches (fukuzasa) and auspicious ornaments (kitcho) are distributed with the cry "Shobai hanjo de sasa motte koi!" (Bring your bamboo for business prosperity!).

The origin of the "Lucky Man Selection" is said to stem from the practice of devotees of Ebisu racing from their homes to the shrine to be the first to worship on the morning of Toka Ebisu. This custom became most popular during the Edo period, and the current format of gathering in front of the gate and competing for position was established at that time. This event is not a competition but is positioned as a sacred Shinto ritual.

This custom, a unique fusion of fishermen's faith and merchants' wishes for prosperity, has been handed down over the centuries; because what is offered can vary from year to year, check the official website for the latest information. The offered tuna is called "Shofuku Daimaguro" (Great Tuna of Inviting Fortune) and is displayed in the main hall throughout the festival period.

Highlights

Lucky Man Selection (Gate-Opening Ceremony) On the morning of January 10 (Hon Ebisu), at exactly 6:00 AM, the main gate of Nishinomiya Shrine opens, and between 5,000 and 6,000 worshippers simultaneously dash toward the main hall. This ceremony is based on the Edo-period tradition of competing to be the first to worship, combining the solemnity of a Shinto ritual with the excitement of a race. Participants must be junior high school students or older, must wear lace-up sports shoes, and are prohibited from wearing sandals, high heels, or costumes that are inappropriate for a sacred event.

Front Row Block Lottery To aim for the first-place lucky man position, participants must be in the front row (A Block, 108 people) before the gate opens, which requires participating in a lottery held for the first 1,500 people. The lottery draws long lines every year, and the 108 winners of the A Block stand at the very front of the main gate. The top three finishers are awarded the title of "Fukuotoko" (Lucky Man) and receive sacred images and special prizes, after which they perform a ceremonial kagami-biraki (sake barrel opening) and offer sacred sake to the worshippers.

Large Tuna Offering A giant bluefin tuna is placed in front of the main hall, and worshippers personally attach offering coins to the tuna's body in the "Shofuku Daimaguro" ceremony, a symbolic custom of the Nishinomiya Shrine Toka Ebisu. This act is believed to bring good fortune in attracting money, and worshippers praying for business prosperity and increased financial luck crowd around the tuna. The tuna remains on display throughout the three days of the festival, and many visitors take photographs of the spectacle.

Distribution of Lucky Bamboo and Ornaments The lucky bamboo branches (fukuzasa) known from the cry "Shobai hanjo de sasa motte koi!" are distributed at designated stalls during the festival as auspicious items associated with Ebisu Daijin. Various ornaments (kitcho) such as kumade (bear paw rakes), koban (gold coins), tai (sea bream), and takarabune (treasure ships) are attached to the bamboo, and worshippers choose according to their wishes. The shrine grounds are filled with worshippers carrying these bamboo branches, creating a unique atmosphere of energy and excitement.

Arima Onsen Hot Spring Offering Ceremony On January 9 (Yoibisu), the "Arima Onsen Ken Toshiki" (Hot Spring Offering Ceremony) is held at 2:00 PM. This ceremony involves offering hot spring water from Hyogo Prefecture's famous Arima Onsen to the shrine, symbolizing the connection between the hot spring and the shrine. This event demonstrates that Nishinomiya Shrine serves as a cultural and religious hub for the region.

Crowds of Over One Million Worshippers With over one million worshippers visiting over three days, the shrine grounds are constantly crowded, and long waiting times occur for worship and purchasing lucky bamboo. From 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM each day, extensive traffic restrictions are imposed around the shrine, making access by car extremely difficult. The sheer scale of the crowds reflects the status of Nishinomiya Shrine as the center of Ebisu worship in the Kansai region.

Event Information and Access

• Dates: Every year on January 9 (Yoibisu), 10 (Hon Ebisu), and 11 (Nokorifuku). Opening hours are generally Yoibisu 5:00 AM–midnight, Hon Ebisu 6:00 AM–1:00 AM next day, Nokorifuku 5:00 AM–1:00 AM next day. Check the official website for the latest schedule
• Location: Nishinomiya Shrine, 1-17 Shakemachi, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture
• Admission: Free
• Access (Train): 5-minute walk southwest from Hanshin Main Line Nishi-nomiya Station (Ebisu Exit) / 10-minute walk southeast from JR Kobe Line Sakura Shukugawa Station / 20-minute walk southwest from JR Kobe Line Nishi-nomiya Station / 15-minute walk southeast from Hankyu Kobe Line Shukugawa Station
• Parking: None (shrine parking lots are unavailable during the festival period)
• Traffic Restrictions: Extensive traffic restrictions in the shrine area from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM on January 9–11
• Inquiries: 0798-33-0321 (Nishinomiya Shrine)
• Lucky Man Selection Participation Conditions: Must be junior high school student or older, wear lace-up sports shoes, no costumes or headwear, must be able to sign a pledge to participate in shrine events for one year. No gender or nationality restrictions. No advance registration required.
• Gate-Opening Ceremony Participation Certificate: Distributed to the first 5,000 worshippers

Surrounding Area Information

The area around Nishinomiya Shrine, centered on Hanshin Nishi-nomiya Station, has a concentration of shopping streets and restaurants that become bustling with worshippers before and after visiting the Toka Ebisu. In particular, the street leading from the Ebisu Exit is lined with stalls selling lucky bamboo and restaurants catering to worshippers praying for business prosperity, enhancing the festival atmosphere. However, due to traffic restrictions and crowds during the festival period, car travel is difficult, and walking is the primary means of movement.

Nishinomiya City is also known as a famous sake-producing region, with several breweries scattered around the shrine. This area, part of the Nada-Gogo (five major sake brewing districts of Nada), has breweries that offer special sake during the Toka Ebisu period, and many worshippers visit them after their shrine visit. The connection between sake and the festival is deep, as Ebisu Daijin is also worshipped as a god of sake.

Furthermore, Hyogo Prefecture has numerous other Ebisu shrines besides Nishinomiya Shrine; for example, Yanagihara Ebisu Shrine in Kobe City also holds a Toka Ebisu festival. While Nishinomiya Shrine is the head shrine, each region has its own unique festival, and worshippers can enjoy an "Ebisu pilgrimage" by visiting multiple shrines. All of these shrines are accessible by public transportation, allowing visitors to experience the breadth of Ebisu worship efficiently.

Related Information

• Lucky Bamboo Ornaments: The ornaments attached to the lucky bamboo (kumade rakes, koban coins, tai sea bream, takarabune treasure ships) each carry different wishes such as business prosperity, financial luck, abundant fishing, and family happiness, allowing worshippers to choose according to their needs.
• Kagami-biraki (Sake Barrel Opening): The three selected lucky men perform a ceremonial sake barrel opening in front of the main hall and offer sacred sake to worshippers. This ritual symbolizes the sharing of the lucky men's fortune with all worshippers.
• Lottery Schedule: The lottery to determine the front row positions for the Lucky Man Selection is held in the early morning of January 10 for the first 1,500 people. Participants are divided into three blocks: A Block (108 people), B Block (108 people), and C Block (those who lost the lottery or did not participate).
• Participation Pledge: To participate in the Lucky Man Selection, participants must sign a pledge to serve at Nishinomiya Shrine events for one year. This requirement is imposed because the event is a sacred Shinto ritual, not a mere competition.
• Other Toka Ebisu Festivals: Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in Osaka (Imamiya Ebisu) is also famous for its Toka Ebisu festival and, together with Nishinomiya Shrine, is considered one of the two major Ebisu festivals in the Kansai region. Since both are held simultaneously, many worshippers visit both.
• Grand New Year's Visit Period: After the Toka Ebisu, Nishinomiya Shrine holds a "Grand New Year's Visit" period, typically from December to the following February, during which worship and charm distribution continue. However, this period does not include the large-scale ceremonies and stalls of the Toka Ebisu.

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