Imamiya Ebisu Shrine
今宮戎神社
Osaka · Osaka-shi, Naniwa-ku
Ebisu Business Prosperity
Nishinomiya Shrine
西宮神社
/ Nishinomiya Jinja
Admission
Free
Goshuin
300 yen
Access
5 min walk
Hours
5:00-19:00
Overview
Nishinomiya Shrine, popularly known as "Ebessan," is the head shrine (sōhonsha) of approximately 3,500 Ebisu shrines throughout Japan, located in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its principal deity is Ebisu-no-Mikoto (Nishinomiya-Okami), originally venerated as a god of fishing and the sea, who became celebrated as a deity of commerce, business prosperity, and good fortune. Shrine tradition holds that the deity's image was discovered by fishermen in the sea near Wada Cape and enshrined at the present location in ancient times. Though the exact founding date is unknown, written records from the late Heian period confirm the shrine was already established and attracting large numbers of worshippers. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate granted the shrine exclusive rights to distribute sacred effigy plaques (fukusashu) nationwide, greatly expanding the Ebisu faith across Japan. The Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 severely damaged much of the precinct, which has since been restored. The shrine is nationally famous for the Toka-Ebisu festival (January 9–11), which draws over one million visitors across three days. The highlight is the "Fukuotoko" (Lucky Men) race on January 10, in which thousands sprint 230 meters through the shrine at the opening of the gates to be named among the first three "men of fortune."
Enshrined Deities
⛩
primary Deity
God of fishing, commerce, and good fortune; originally the imperfect firstborn cast adrift
Blessings
Shrine Network
Ebisu Head shrine (souhonsha)
Practical Information
Location Coordinates
34.7375, 135.3378
Physical Address
1-17 Shake-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo
兵庫県西宮市社家町1-17
Historical Province
Settsu Province
Access
Nishinomiya Station (Hanshin)
5 min walk
Hours
5:00-19:00
Best Times to Visit
January 10 (Toka Ebisu)
Accessibility
Partial
Visitor information last verified: 2026-04-11. Please check the official website for the latest details.
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Related Myths
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Background reading for visitors and pilgrims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Information provided by Jinja DB Editorial Team
What is Nishinomiya Shrine?
Nishinomiya Shrine, popularly known as "Ebessan," is the head shrine (sōhonsha) of approximately 3,500 Ebisu shrines throughout Japan, located in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture. Its principal deity is Ebisu-no-Mikoto (Nishinomiya-Okami), originally venerated as a god of fishing and the sea, who became celebrated as a deity of commerce, business prosperity, and good fortune. Shrine tradition holds that the deity's image was discovered by fishermen in the sea near Wada Cape and enshrined at the present location in ancient times. Though the exact founding date is unknown, written records from the late Heian period confirm the shrine was already established and attracting large numbers of worshippers. During the Edo period, the Tokugawa shogunate granted the shrine exclusive rights to distribute sacred effigy plaques (fukusashu) nationwide, greatly expanding the Ebisu faith across Japan. The Great Hanshin earthquake of 1995 severely damaged much of the precinct, which has since been restored. The shrine is nationally famous for the Toka-Ebisu festival (January 9–11), which draws over one million visitors across three days. The highlight is the "Fukuotoko" (Lucky Men) race on January 10, in which thousands sprint 230 meters through the shrine at the opening of the gates to be named among the first three "men of fortune."
Where is Nishinomiya Shrine located?
Nishinomiya Shrine is located in Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo. The full address is: 1-17 Shake-cho, Nishinomiya-shi, Hyogo.
What deities are enshrined at Nishinomiya Shrine?
The enshrined deities are: Hiruko (Ebisu).