Toka Ebisu

This festival attracts over a million people who make their way to Ebisu's shrine to pray for prosperity and for success in business. Highlights of the three- day festival include a parade, geisha dances, and rice cake making.

A million people pass through the sixth century Imamiya- Ebisu Shrine during the three- day January festival to pray to Ebisu (or informally, "Ebessan"), the god of business and wealth.

The deity of commerce at Ebisu shrine is affectionately called Ebessan . Everyone in the merchant city of Osaka knows and loves the Toka Ebisu Festival. The shrine itself is visited annually by a million people who come to pray for commercial prosperity.

During the Toka Ebisu Festival, people buy sacred bamboo branches decorated with lucky items. Many visit the shrine during the three days of Jan. 9 through 11, especially on the day of Toka Ebisu (held on the 10th).

The highlight of the festival is "Toka Ebisu" (10th Ebisu) when colorful palanquins bear geisha and other celebrities through the lantern- lit streets.

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Contact Information

Toka Ebisu
Imamiya Ebisu-jinja Shrine
556-0003 Osaka

Tel. +8163053311

http://http://www.tourism.city.osaka.jp/en/enjoy_osaka/festivals/other/index.html