Shrines and Temples｜

Toka Ebisu Shrine

Visitors Guide

Toka Ebisu Shrine was erected in Higashi Koen in honor of the Shinto god Ebisu. The shrine receives its most visitors (about one million!) during the “Toka Ebisu Festival”, which is held around January 10th. The Toka Ebisu Festival starts on January 8 (“Hatsu Ebisu”) and lasts for the four succeeding days (“Yoi Ebisu” - January 9, “Sei Taisai” - January 10, and “Nokori Ebisu” - January 11). During the festival, visitors pray for good luck and success in business in the year to come. About 300 stalls line the streets selling snacks and gifts. Among the festivities, the “kachi mairi” (where beautiful female performers called geiko from Hakata visit Toka Ebisu Shrine) on the afternoon of the 9th is particularly spectacular. The ladies wear elegant kimonos called “montsuki seiso” and style their hair in an old-fashioned coiffure accessorized with an ornamental hairpiece. The sight of the ladies making their way to the shrine to pray accompanied by the sounds of the shamisen (3-stringed Japanese banjo), flutes, and drums never fails to attract a crowd!
Reference・Photo provider：「Fukuoka Sightseeing Information　CROSSROAD Fukuoka」