Kansai · OsakaFestival
For three days each January, roughly a million people crowd Imamiya Ebisu Shrine to ask the merchant god for a prosperous year.
Overview
Toka Ebisu is Osaka’s boisterous start to the business year, honouring Ebisu, the smiling deity of commerce and good fortune. Held at Imamiya Ebisu Shrine in the Naniwa district, it draws shop owners, restaurateurs and office workers from across the Kansai region. The mood is upbeat and commercial rather than solemn, with visitors buying decorated lucky charms and jostling good-naturedly through the shrine grounds.
When & Where
The festival runs January 9-11, 2026, across three named days: Yoi-Ebisu (the eve) on the 9th, the main Hon-Ebisu on the 10th, and Nokori-Ebisu (the closing) on the 11th. The shrine stays open late into the night, and the 10th sees the heaviest crowds. Imamiya Ebisu Shrine sits in Naniwa Ward, just south of central Osaka. Nearest station: Imamiyaebisu on the Nankai Koya Line.
Getting There
From central Osaka, take the Nankai Koya Line one stop from Namba to Imamiyaebisu Station, which is beside the shrine, or ride the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line to Ebisucho Station. Both are about a one-minute walk away. Tap an ICOCA or Suica card through the gates to avoid ticket-machine queues, and expect station crowding on the evening of the 10th.
What to Expect
The signature item is the fukuzasa, a bamboo branch hung with miniature gold coins, rice bales, sea bream and treasure bags; buyers have shrine attendants add lucky ornaments to order. On January 10, the Hoekago procession carries geisha and entertainers in ceremonial palanquins from the Tobita district to the shrine. Food stalls, drumming and the constant call of vendors keep the grounds lively well after dark.
Tickets & Access
Entry is free. You pay only for what you choose to buy: a basic fukuzasa starts modestly, with ornaments priced individually, and amulets, sake and street food are sold throughout the grounds. No reservation is needed. The site is largely step-free but extremely crowded, so travellers with mobility needs may prefer a daytime visit on the 9th or 11th.
Tips for Visitors
Come on the 9th or 11th for a calmer experience, or brave the 10th for the full spectacle. Carry small cash for charms and stalls, dress warmly for the night air, and hold small children close in the crush. Namba’s shopping and dining are a short ride away if you want to round out the evening.
Access and Map
| Dates | January 9-11, 2026 (Yoi-Ebisu, Hon-Ebisu, Nokori-Ebisu) |
|---|---|
| Venue | Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, Naniwa Ward, Osaka |
| Access | Imamiyaebisu Station (Nankai Koya Line) or Ebisucho Station (Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line), 1-min walk |
| Admission | Free; lucky fukuzasa bamboo branches and charms sold on site |
| Official site | Osaka Info (Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau) |
Source: Osaka Info (Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau)
Image: Photo: Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
